10 Powerful Secrets of Writing Songs
There are many tips and techniques that will help you on your way to producing better songs. Not all tips and techniques are equal. We’ve collected together 10 important tips to help focus your improvements. So, grab your notepad, guitar, or keyboard, because we’re diving into the 10 powerful secrets of writing songs that’ll take your music to the next level. 🎶
Table of Contents
Secrets Of Writing Songs
Start with a Strong Hook
The first of the secrets of writing songs can have a massive impact. You know that tune you can’t get out of your head? That’s called a “hook,” and it’s the magical part of a song that makes people hit repeat. Your hook could be a catchy melody, a killer beat, or even an irresistible lyric. Aim for something simple but memorable!
Build Around A Theme
What’s your song about? Love, friendship, freedom? Choose a theme and stick to it. This gives your song a spine, something to hold it together. Your lyrics and melodies should revolve around this core idea, making it easier for listeners to connect with the song.
Use Relatable Lyrics
The next of the secrets of writing songs is all about connection. The connection the writer makes with the listener through the performer. We all love songs that speak to us, right? So, keep it real! Use words and phrases people use every day. Relatable lyrics make it easy for listeners to, well, relate to your song. You don’t need a Ph.D. in poetry; just be authentic and speak from the heart.
Spice It Up With Metaphors
Saying “I’m sad” is okay, but what about “I’m a ship lost at sea”? Metaphors add color to your lyrics, making them more vibrant and evocative. Just be careful not to go overboard (see what I did there?). Too many metaphors and your song could get confusing.
As the secrets of writing songs go, effectively using metaphors is one of the most powerful, yet underused secrets. Do yourself and your songs a favor. Learn to use metaphors effectively.
Master Song Structure
Most popular songs have a structure using different song sections — like verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus. Knowing the basics of song structure (aka song form) will help you put your ideas into a form that’s easy for listeners to follow and easy for your listeners to remember.
But hey, rules are meant to be broken. Feel free to experiment, as long as your song still flows.
Make Your Melody Shine
Melody is the soul of your song. A strong melody can turn even basic lyrics into a hit. Experiment with different scales and chord progressions until you find something that sticks. Remember, you want people humming your tune long after they’ve heard it.
Record your melody into your phone memo app. Sing, whistles, play an instrument. It doesn’t matter. Record your melody so you can replay it and tweak it until you are happy with it. Investing time in this now will help you create better melodies.
Implementing one of the secrets of writing songs can be a simple task. The results can be massive.
Dynamics Are Key
Dynamics are about the ups and downs in the volume and intensity of your song. For example, going from a soft verse to a banging chorus. These shifts in energy keep your song interesting from start to finish. A flat, monotone song will probably bore your listeners, and we don’t want that! It sounds like a simple idea, but it isn’t as easy as it seems. Mastering the secrets of writing songs will be a major step forward for your music.
Less Is More
You might be tempted to jam-pack your song with all sorts of instruments and effects. Hold on there, Mozart! Sometimes, simplicity is king. Using fewer elements can make each one stand out more, so don’t clutter your mix. When our natural approach is often to add things to our mix, understanding that not adding can benefit our mix and even removing notes, phrases or whole parts can be exactly what is needed. It is part of what qualifies this as one of the secrets of writing songs.
Related to this, your mix doesn’t always need space to breathe, but awareness of how to use space effectively is a great skill to develop.
Get Feedback, But Trust Your Gut
Using critique effectively is one of the important secrets of writing songs. Sure, it’s great to get opinions from others, but at the end of the day, it’s your song. Take the feedback that resonates with you and ignore what doesn’t. No one knows your vision better than you do. You are the one that decides what fits with your vision for the song. People offering advice are not gods. No matter their experience, it just might not be what you want for your song.
Critique is a discussion. It’s not a ruling from on high. Understand opinions and perspectives, but don’t tie yourself in knots. Use it or lose it.
Revise, Revise, Revise
This is the last of the secrets of writing songs. Your first draft isn’t your final draft. Risking stating the obvious, no masterpiece was created in one go. The idea might come quickly, but you should spend time tweaking your lyrics, fine-tuning your melodies, and messing around with your arrangements. Revision is where good songs become great.
Bonus Tip: Take Breaks
Not one of the secrets of writing songs, this time it is just a simple tip. Hey, even Beyoncé needs a break! If you’re feeling stuck, step away for a bit. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not trying too hard.
And there you have it, 10 powerful secrets (plus a bonus one!) for writing killer songs. So what are you waiting for? Go unleash your inner hitmaker!
To Conclude
No doubt you started this article wanting your songs to really pop. With 10 powerful secrets of writing songs tucked under your belt, you now have an ideal foundation for creating a new song.
By focusing on a killer hook that grabs attention and builds around a solid theme your song will keep the attention of listeners. If you keep your lyrics relatable but don’t shy away from vivid metaphors your song will have depth. Know your song structure, but feel free to break the mold. Melody is your friend; make it memorable. Add dynamics for that emotional rollercoaster, but keep it simple—less is often more. Get feedback, trust your gut, and don’t forget to revise what you write to get the kind of finished song that you deserve. Happy writing!
Related Articles
Do you want to find out more about songwriting and lyric writing? If so, you can find articles and tutorials on our our Songwriting and Lyric Writing Articles page.
For ideas about how to keep your song interesting, please read our article, “Keeping A Song Interesting“.
You might find the following articles useful:
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