actual songwriting tips (and how to write lyrics)

I often see a lot of people on spacehey wanting to improve on songwriting or wanting to learn HOW to song write. By no means am I a professional or anything, but I want to just give all my tips n tricks that i have learnt n use every time i write in one big BIG BIGGGGGG post. 

disclaimer: This post is mostly centered on writing lyrics, please note i cannot write chord progressions for the LIFE of me but hey, that’s okay 🫡

Firstly, I think it’s good to start off by giving my own typical process; Just to give ppl who have never written a song before some where to start.

my typical process:

step 1: Think of something heavy on my mind

step 2: open google docs and spit out my thoughts not worrying about rhyme scheme or any melody. I need a good solid grasp on how i’m feeling and what i’m going to write about

step 3: Let your words go rouge!! write whatever comes to mind or sounds strangely poetic. It can lead to a finished song and even alternate meanings you never even thought of!

MY TIPS:

1. DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT WHAT OTHERS WILL THINK. This is the major issue i see in other’s writing. It doesn’t matter how cringe or bad you think your writing is, because building confidence as a writer and lead you to bigger and bolder writing. When you focus too hard on what others think, your writing tends to get quite bleak and cliche and it tends to not be a song you REALLY like and connect with (which is a big no no)

2. Songs can be about ANYTHING!!!!!! you can write about your personal feelings or struggles, and that’s totally okay! you can also write about general themes or observations or nothing at all!!

3. Things don’t HAVE to rhyme or be in a certain order or pattern. The art of songwriting is actually a lot more flexible than you think. Not every line has to be ABAB or anything, or even have to rhyme at all. Of course rhymes can be important and give songs a good melody and stuff but it’s not REQUIRED. You also don’t always have to write “verse, chorus, verse, bridge” you can literally make a song with no chorus. Just experiment and do whatever YOU THINK fits your song!

4. EXPERIMENT, EXPERIMENT, EXPERIMENT. Always experiment and try new and wacky things. It’s always good to expand on your writing capabilities and try new things. Recently i’ve been playing around with lots of types of imagery and metaphors, since i always seem to be extremely straightforward in my writing. I recommend trying out some figurative language if you really need some ideas.

5. It’s okay to start with lyrics before melody. You don’t need a chord progression or melody already just to write. You can start with either one and see what works best for you! Hell even great songwriters like (ahem) Ryan Ross wrote majority of AFYCSO as lyrics before melody (apparently) so if he can write a great album like that, so can you!

6. Write down random lyrics, rhymes, song titles, album titles that you think of occasionally throughout your day. They come SOO MUCH in handy when you’re stumped for the next lyric or a song title.

7. Take inspiration/have a sound in mind. It’s not a requirement or anything, but it typically helps me a lot when i have a main style or tone to put myself in when i write, whether it’s just wanting to sound angry or wanting to give some deftones vibe or something. It really gets the brain juices flowing ya get me???

8. Look at the lyrics or songs you already like. I really enjoy reading into song lyrics and analyzing the way different artists write, or analyzing the vibes or tones that are throughout albums; even if it’s something as simple as just “this album is very happy, sad, etc.” It’s always good to study yk. For example, a few artists i really enjoy the lyrics of are Pierce the Veil, Los campesinos, and Nirvana!

8 1/2. Read. Look at words. Learn new words. (ofc it’s totally optional cuz i know some of y’all hate reading. That’s why this is a half bullet point)

9. RHYMEZONE, THESAURUS, DICTIONARY are tools i use ALL THE TIME. it’s personally helps me a lot with rhyming and just finding words to better explain myself

10. Seriously, have fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not going to write something you love. It okay to take breaks from writing from time to time, hell sometimes i don’t write for weeks straight. The most important part of songwriting is that you enjoy making it, if you feel like your just vomiting on paper restlessly, maybe it’s time to put down the pencil and take a walk.

Ofc once again i am not a professional writer or anything, i’m just a teenage word nerd, and so are most of you guys. I hope you find some of my tips helpful and if you have any questions i’d be happy to answer!!

also if you have any tips or suggestions feel free to share 🫶