What Master Songwriters Know About Lyric Writing that You Don’t (but probably should)

Comments · 83

• NE

  @nevbarnes1034 · 11 months ago

  The single, most important principle I learned in three years at college: the power of music lies in <i>surprise.</i>

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• BE

  @bernhardkrickl3567 · 11 months ago

  The same advice holds true for writing the music: chords, song structures, rhythm, melodies. To keep it interesting, establish patterns to create expectation, then subvert that expectation to create tension or surprise.

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• RO

  @Rolfrad · 11 months ago

  I want to point out a song that we all (well most of us anyway) know, but when I started to work on it I was stunned to find there were NO rhymes through most of it. &nbsp;It is Cat Steven&apos;s &quot;Father and Son&quot; . IN the first verse below, nothing rhymes until the last three lines. <br><br>Here is the first verse, so you can see:<br><br>It’s not time to make a change,<br>Just relax, take it easy.<br>You’re still young, that’s your fault,<br>There’s so much you have to know.<br>Find a girl, settle down,<br>If you want you can marry.<br>Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.<br>I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy<br>To be calm when you’ve found something going on.<br>But take your time, think a lot,<br>Think of everything you’ve got.<br>For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

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• DE

  @DebWittner1 · 1 month ago

  It&apos;s like you just gave me permission to explore new rhyme schemes, Keppie. I&apos;ve been working on three new songs, and have been thinking about this very thing so much. Thank you!

• JO

  @JohnB-ht1hq · 11 months ago

  Lyle Lovett is great with disrupting expected patterns and somehow making the landings more satisfying.

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• JI

  @jimmacroberts · 11 months ago

  No mention of the greatest, Dylan. Might be something to learn from him.

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• KH

  @KhunSharHlaing · 10 months ago

  You are the greatest teacher I have ever seen!

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• MI

  @mikebrison1838 · 11 months ago

  Joni can make a line with 25 syllables flow perfectly into a line with 6 syllables whether it rhymes or not. &nbsp;Incredible

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• JA

  @janicemariefoote · 11 months ago

  Fresh out of my nightmares<br>Night chased me down the stairs<br>Hallway ghosts shut all the doors<br>As I tripped and rolled onto the floor<br>- jmf...

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• KS

  @ksmyth999 · 11 months ago

  Since I retired I have attempted to write some songs. This is the first really useful information I have found on the subject. Looking at one song I found I used an A B C B scheme for both verses and chorus. &nbsp; Surprise can also be in chord structure, typical, for example in some of the amazing songs Sting has written. But repetition can also be used to build tension. One of the best arrangements ever of an English folk song is Martin Carthy&apos;s arrangement of: &quot;Famous Flower of Serving Men&quot;. It is a long ballad but has what I can only describe as an hypnotic feel to it.

• TA

  @talkingdogmusic4349 · 11 months ago

  The expectations sometime challenge writers who feel obligated to established patterns. But once you understand the craft of writing and know what works and what doesn&apos;t, you can create those lyrics that draw the listeners in and make the song unforgettable. It took me years to get there, but once I did, it was an &apos;ah-ha!&apos; moment.

• NO

  @northsongs · 11 months ago

  Shout out to Jason Isbell. A national treasure at lyric writing!

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