Stephanie G. Mathis Many people say that good lyrics combined with good melodies can last a lifetime. However, it’s hard to find good lyrics.
It can be challenging to consistently come up with creative and new lyrics, whether you are a music writer who writes every day or just getting started. You may need to invest in a few tools to make your songwriting process more stable and high-quality.
If you are running out of lyrics, here are nine places to look.
Television
Sia Furler, better known as Sia, has admitted that she gets her song ideas for some songs from watching television. Why can’t you do it if a prolific author like Sia is able to?
Characters often have to recite lines that real people would never come up with. Sometimes, you need to listen to a songwriter. They also act in ways that can inspire and move people- and they act reactively, which helps you think through cause-and-effect-based narrative arcs.
Even a show’s name can inspire something dramatic or mysterious. Television is drama; it should be in a song. There are so many possibilities.
Novels and Novellas
It was inevitable… once again, the focus is on characters!
You can find stories in books of any kind that you relate to. They could be fiction, nonfiction, historical or contemporary. The characters themselves are a great source of inspiration for the storyline of your song.
You can also look for unusual phrases and interesting writing. Look at the best books you’ve ever read and try to find a few lines that could be incorporated into your lyrics.
Poetry Books
Poetry often uses different literary structures and devices, such as metaphors or odd rhyming schemes. Its words tend to be more colorful and descriptive than those of other literary forms.
Metaphors and Similes
Metaphors and similes are two of the things that you can make yourself!
The simile compares two things by using words like “like,” “as,” and “than” to highlight their similarities.
Katy Perry’s song “Firework” uses simile in these lines:
“Do You Ever Feel Like A Plastic Bag?
Drifting through the wind
“Wanting to start over”
It is helpful to think about objects and experiences and their relationship to different aspects of life. This will help you develop the habit of using metaphors and similes. Try out a few yourself!
What You Hear Other People Say
Kids say the most outrageous things. But this is true for the majority of people, both kids and adults.
If you spend any time listening to conversations in restaurants, cafes, malls, or buses, for example, your notebook will be filled with odd and interesting lines. Your friends may also say some strange things. Pay attention and keep a notebook with you at all times.
Lyric Worksheets
If you are like me, you love spreadsheets. If I could, I’d make bedsheets from spreadsheets. On second thought, I think you are not at all like me.
A songwriter’s workbook is a tried-and-true method for cataloging and brainstorming lyrics and song ideas. You can use it to refer to them later. Start with a simple word or an idea that leaves your mind wandering. Eventually, you will have a list of lines and phrases to work with.
The Songwriters That You Love
Look at your favorite songs by your favorite authors! What do you find in their writing that is lacking in yours? What kind of words do they use, or what type of stories are being told? It’s fine to borrow ideas as long as they are not copied.
Second, I try to always approach a subject from a song that I love in a different light. You can add a fresh spin to an old love story, tell it differently, or even tell the opposite version. Your brain will work, and you’ll have a lot of original ideas!
Reversing the Point of View
A perspective can be a great tool for songwriting. It can help you generate creative ideas even if you don’t have a new one.
You can also change your perspective on a story that you have heard, read, seen, or heard on TV or in a song. This will make you see things differently. You might even start to empathize and relate with your “enemy,” opening up a world of possibilities for your poetic journeys.
You can do this by simply putting the protagonist in a different position. Third-person narration can feel less personal, but it’s not necessarily bad. The first-person narration gives the song a more personal touch. You can try both and see which one inspires you most.
Writers and collaborators
When all else fails, try asking a friend for some ideas. You can never go wrong by bringing in a fresh perspective. It’s always better to have two brains than just one. You’ll likely find that adding another person to the mix will enhance your writing.
