How to Overcome the Lyric Writing Hurdles That are Keeping You Behind

The lyric writing side of songwriting is known to create an enormous numberof problems for some folks. No matter how hard they try, they are unable towrite a single line that they can be pleased with.

In many cases these very same people make phenomenal advancements in writingmusic and melodies. However they just can’t seem to figure out how to come upwith suitable lyrics to match them.

If you are facing such a situation, there’s probably no need to worry. Bytaking certain appropriate steps you should be able to overcome lyric writinghurdles and write songs that deliver.

(1) Here are some essential ideas for overcoming these hurdles.

1. Collaboration

If you’re very good at writing melodies but can’t seem to write a singleline, one solution might be collaboration. Instead of beating your head againstthe wall for ideas, find someone who is very good at writing lyrics and worktogether. You may be surprised at the wonders that can emanate from acombination of his excellence at writing lyrics and your brilliance at writingmelodies.

2. Lyric writing tools

Perhaps you may be hoping for some other solution. While you don’t mind theidea of collaboration, you want to allow yourself to get better at writinglyrics, instead of leaving it to someone else.

As far as I’m concerned, the importance of laying hold on good songwriting“tools” should never be underestimated. Educate yourself as much as you can.Make use of songwriting books, programs, courses, software, articles orwhatever valuable resources that you have at your disposal.

3. Motivation

You’ve probably heard it said a thousand times … Without motivation, youwon’t go very far. This also applies to your lyric writing. While thesongwriting “tools” outlined above can help you improve, without adequatemotivation failure is inevitable.

(2) Here are a few tips to help you generate lyric writing ideas.

1. Use different lyrics to bring the same message across.

Choose a theme which is known to have made a few hits. What message doesthis theme bring across? Write different lyrics that bring the same messageacross. A typical example of this is John Denver’s “I’m Leaving on a Jet plane”and Wycliffe Jean’s “Gone till November”. These songs made hits in differenteras. Their basic message was similar … Baby, you don’t need to cry becauseI’ll return.

2. Add a unique twist to a cliché.

Turn on your radio and you will hear clichés being repeated over and over.Using these very same clichés is simply a futile exercise. My suggestion is toadd a unique twist to these clichés. This is something I am focusing on moreand more.

A typical example of adding a unique twist to a cliché is found in DianneWarren’s “Unbreak my Heart” made popular by Toni Braxton. The ever popularcliché, “break my heart”, was twisted.

(3) Here are three lyric writing suggestions.

1. Write a song about a particular incident. Your song should tell astory.

2. Write lyrics that have absolutely nothing to do with anything you’veactually experienced.

3. Get lyric writing ideas from newspapers, magazines, movies, TV and soon.

Overcoming lyric writing hurdles involves a lot of determination, hard workand perseverance on your part. Implement the suggestions presented above andmove one step closer to lyric writing success.