Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Write from your heart
• Method 2 of 2: Make it personal
• Tips
• Warnings

Writing unique lyrics can be challenging and it is true that it is not easy. Write them from your heart. It is also true that it is not a magic trick. It is a craft that you can develop and become quite adept at. The great thing is that because you are unique, your lyrics can be just as unique. We'll show you ways you can come up with those lyrics that only YOU can write and that will help you become a better lyricist along the way. Read more!

To step

Method 1 of 2: Write from your heart

1. Release your muse. Often enough, we start writing a song by cramming what we want to say in four or eight bars and adding some rhyme and maybe a catchy passage. With a little luck, the message will get across.
   • This is fine, but it's not really an inspiring or unique way to write a song. We limit ourselves before we even started. Instead, just try to jot down your thoughts with no song structure.
2. Practice this daily. When you drink your cup of coffee, tea or juice in the morning, get a pen and paper.
   • Choose something in the room where you are. Whatever. Maybe the coffee pot or the mosquito that just landed on your arm. Write about 10-15 minutes on that topic, in as much detail as possible. It may be precise or imaginative, but be as free and creative as you can. Don't take too long here - you're not writing a song. Think of it as exercising your creative mind so that the moment you actually write a song, it is ready to help you with that.
3. Choose the main subject of the song. When you're ready to write a song, you can start using the skills you've practiced every day. This time, do not choose an object in the room, but a subject that the song should be about. Maybe it's a girl or maybe it's a car. It can also be an abstract concept, such as love, or a situation, such as a train ride. Don't try to put this in four rhyming lines, but write a story about it and use all your senses to describe this story.
   • It does not have to be well written and may be grammatically incorrect. Think of it more as a stream of thoughts, writing down everything that comes to mind, as a kind of poem.
   • Review your writing after you finish. Which parts affect you emotionally? Which parts are more contemplative and which parts require repetition?
4. Start constructing your song. Some songs tell a story, while others describe a short scene with a central theme. While doing the writing exercise, you probably already had an idea of ​​which way you would go with this song.
   • If your song tells a story, write it out completely in the exercise. If it describes scenes, write several short stories related to the central theme and a separate story that revolves entirely around this theme.
   • Take Bob Dylans for example “Shelter From The Storm”. Although it contains some narrative elements, it is more of a series of scenes that paint a picture of a time and place and a life full of hardships. However, it always comes back to that benefactor: "Come in," she said, "I offer you a place to hide."
   • Another song from Dylan, “Lily, Rosemary, And The Jack Of Hearts”, Is a consecutive narrative, which, like“ Shelter From The Storm ”, always focuses on one thing: the farmer of hearts.
5. Compile the main points of the song. This will become the backbone of the lyrics and the reason behind each verse, chorus, or both. Don't overdo it, or you might end up with a twenty minute song! We now stick to standard sizes.
   • When you have worked out your ideas for each verse, write out the verses for each point. This point is often made in the last line, where the first three lines provide support or reasoning for the last line or provide a rhythmic structure.
   • Fill in the “gaps” until each verse is complete. You may discover that there are rhymes that can be reused in other verses and that some verses are completely self-contained. Remember this is your song and your goal is to be unique. So it doesn't matter if you don't follow a fixed formula. Even rhyme can be unleashed if it is not appropriate!
6. Write a chorus. In general, a song is about something. A good way to organize your song in such a way that “something” becomes a highlight is to include it in the chorus. Each verse continues into the chorus, leading the listener there and helping him or her understand the song.
   • For example, listen to “Better TogetherBy Jack Johnson. The chorus is simple: just a simple message that "it's always better when we're together." Each verse paints a picture of how everything that goes on always results in them getting back together, where it is better. You can write a song about something you've been through or about your friends or someone else's life. Good luck!

Method 2 of 2: Make it personal

1. Make your song very personal. Make your listeners feel like you are sharing a secret with them and see it as an outlet for yourself.
2. Decide how you want to write your number: first the music or first the lyrics. You can also write both at the same time, which can sometimes be easier. The part you write last is often more difficult, as it has to match the earlier part you came up with. So it is smart to save your specific talent for the second part.
   • Some well-known artists start with a melody and then search for the right words for the music. There is one song that everyone knows and that originated as a melody. While writing the song, the artist sang “Scrambled eggs..." (Scrambled eggs). Afterwards, Paul McCartney had “Yesterday" written.
   • This is also a favorite technique of Peter Gabriel, who often uses meaningless syllables while working out the melody and does not actually come up with the words until the music is finished.
3. Make a list of things you want to say in your text. Write down as many ideas and words associated with them as possible (especially useful if you want to write rhyming lyrics). Write in as much detail as possible and remember that not everything will end up in your song lyrics eventually. Show what you think!
4. Start with the chorus. Sing it to yourself to make sure the rhythm and words match.
5. Use accents and dialect, but keep it natural. The Artic Monkeys managed to make “something” rhyme with “stomach” (summat, stomach).
   • It's a plus if you can get words with different endings to rhyme and not sound like words together, but don't overdo it.
   • You can use regional proverbs and sayings. This ensures that the number is associated with a specific regional area. British bands, such as South Central Heroes, often also use a strong accent, which can give their music a unique feel. However, it is not necessary to imitate an accent to make your song “unique”.
6. Look for an unusual rhythm for your lyrics. Maybe you can choose a lot of repetitive sentences, an unconventional rhyme scheme, or some very short and very long lines.
7. Listen carefully. Pay attention to how people around you talk and what they are talking about. You can base your lyrics on this.
8. Use literary means. Make your song more profound and interesting through the use of similes, metaphors and other literary means.
9. Use humor. Describe things that are funny or refer to current events and trends, as they are more likely to be remembered by people. It also dates your song, which can make a serious song turn out to be corny or even camp some years later.
10. Come up with a provocative title. Make sure it is relevant to your lyrics, but don't worry if it is only indirectly related to it or is clearly obscure. Dylans “Rainy Day Woman No. 12 and 35"Means nothing at all to the mere mortal (and not even to Mr. Dylan even), but when he wrote that song it was"Everybody Must Get Stoned(Everyone has to get stoned) not exactly a title that could count on airplay or a place in the jukebox.
    • Beware of names that are too long, such as “Joan Miro's Procession Through The Insides Of A Purple Antelope Across A Sea Of Tune Fish” by Adrian Belew. If you make the title of your song really long, people will either ignore it (just), make up their own title for it (risky), or make it a cult hit just because of the name. If your muse prompts you, follow it.

Tips

• Make sure the lyrics and melody are in balance. You don't want to write a lullaby with guitar violence in the background.
• Get inspiration from the things that happened to you. The best songs really do express emotions, so try to recall striking events that you have been through and think about how they felt. Your lyrics don't have to be based on a true story, but they carry more meaning when the emotions they express are real.
• Tap your fingers while singing your just-written lyrics to find the beat that appeals to you.
• The most important thing is that you are happy with your number. If you really want to write a good song, come up with strong, catchy lyrics that will appeal to a lot of people. Brainstorm and reread everything you've written down. You can leave out things that don't fit well and then come up with a catchy melody.
• Lyrics don't have to follow a strict rhyme scheme, meter, and rhythm, so you can actually put whatever you want to say into them without feeling constrained. It's almost like writing a poem.
• Always think about what your song should be about first.
• Get inspired by other songs. Think of a song you like and write something similar without making a copy. Make sure you don't mimic a hit from this moment. It's okay to copy a style, but it's better to take elements from different styles and create a unique mix that looks like your favorites, but is really yours.
• If something fantastic or something really bad happens to you, write it down. Write down all your feelings and look back at what you wrote at a later time. Process your emotions in a very strong, powerful song.
• Sometimes it can help you to have someone else read your text aloud to you. This way you can continue your process better.
• If you can't do it, make sure the lyrics are the least important element in the song. You don't always need great lyrics when you're writing a refreshing melody.
• Is your number still too short, but can you no longer find the words? Repetition is the key to success: "Na, na na na na na, na na na na, hey Jude" (repeat 80x).
• Record your song and listen to your own voice. Correct your intonation the second time you sing it.

Warnings

• If you want to express a certain frame of mind in the song, stick to that, otherwise a song can become long-winded and boring. Try to immerse yourself in that state of mind so that writing is easier.
• Don't rhyme sentences just because they need to rhyme. Make sure rhymes are good and interesting. Words like "fly", "high" and "sky", or in Dutch "you", "love" and "faith", are used far too often and do not resonate with your listeners. Even if they still love you so much, those fans will not remain loyal to you. Come on!
• Insulting others or breaking copyrights may make people remember your number, but not for the reasons you want.