Tapping Into Your Musical Side – Write Song Lyrics

Have you ever thought about writing a song? Do you love music? We all know that a song is much more than the musical background that you hear at all times. No, the whole song comes with the lyrics. The lyrics make the song, they make the music. Usually the lyrics are written before adding the melody and music. The lyrics and the idea behind the lyrics lay the foundation for the music to come later.

Think of your favorite songs. Why are they your favorites? For many people, the words of the song capture their attention. For me personally, my favorite songs are the ones that have meaning. Rather, it evokes a particular feeling within me or speaks of a specific moment in my life. The lyrics tell a story. They can tell any story, rather it is about a love that went wrong, an eternal love, a person, a group of people or a moment in life. You are telling a story to your listeners and hoping they can relate to that story in some way.

Get lyrical ideas

Most of the lyrics you hear in a song come from the lyricist’s everyday life. It is a good idea, if you are serious about writing song lyrics, keep a journal and carry it with you throughout the day, writing down your ideas. You never know when a lyrical idea will occur to you. Be attentive and aware of their interactions throughout the day. Some areas that may bring you ideas for letters may include:

. General Conversation: As you talk to anyone during the day, such as friends, family, or colleagues, you may find that something they have to say gives you an idea.

. Events in your environment: your environment can also tell as a story. While in the taxi, while walking down the street, in the subway, or wherever you are. Something could happen, even the smallest thing, that could drive a lyrical idea.

. Newspaper: current events, articles or even announcements.

. Magazines: stories from real life, fashion, and other events could spark an idea.

It is important to note that your lyrics must have meaning to you. They should flow smoothly. As mentioned above, the lyrics tell a story. Therefore, treat your lyrics as a story first. Write your story, then you can start breaking them down into song lyrics with rhymes of other important aspects after your story ends.

Lyrical tools

Over the years, lyricists have relied mainly on the old, reliable pen and paper to write letters. For many, they will use nothing but pencil and paper to write their lyrics. However, in today’s computerized world, more and more lyricists are turning to the computer to write songs.

There are a variety of tools available to any composer on and off the computer. For example, rhyming dictionaries are great when you’re having trouble finding rhymes for specific words. On the computer, rhyming and replacing words is extremely easy, and most of the time it is done with a simple mouse click. Many programs, such as Microsoft Word and other specific songwriting software, offer a built-in thesaurus that is perfect for finding alternative words and phrases to increase the impact of your lyrics.

However, the most important tools are your own thoughts and ideas. You can choose the paper and pencil method or the computerized method; however, your ideas are what make the letter to begin with.

Creating your ideas in song lyrics

You have your ideas; you’ve chosen your writing method, now what? Now is the time to start forming your lyrics. This is probably the hardest part of writing the song, much harder than coming up with ideas. Now you have to work verses and choruses to form your songs. Ultimately, the rhyme is important. This is where your rhyming dictionary comes in.

Normally, the end of the second line rhymes with the end of the first. However, in some cases, the end of the third line rhymes with the first.

For instance:

As we get older

The world grows cold

Why did love go away

Even though we carry on

And keep our love in song

Don’t forget your chorus; this is what ties the song together. You decide where your versus go and where it enters and the chorus repeats. Writing the lyrics to a song is a wonderful way to express yourself. Tell a story the way you see and feel it.