For many bands, songwriting is the vital factor in their success. And while we definitely do not want to underplay the importance of writing distinct music, it is the lyrics that often make the difference between an amazing or just plain tune.
So what makes great lyrics? Below are a list of five common mistakes that you should avoid when writing lyrics, as doing so will reinforce the total quality of your tunes:
1) Trying to provide a lot of ideas
Great lyrics frequently tell a story or explore a theme. It is this concentration on one concept that makes the general song have a cohesive feel from verse to verse. A mistake that lots of make is to attempt to present several ideas within one song, which usually will make each different idea feel isolated from the remainder of the song.
2) Missing a clear hook
Your goal is to have your listener remember the song far after it has finished as that is exactly what will turn them into a fan and keep them returning time and time again. An obvious hook line is important to the success of a tune, as it is exactly what will make it remarkable.
With few exceptions, any classic tune example that we could offer, songs that have stood the test of time, have an evident hook line in it. For example: Bad Romance, Call Me Maybe, Under Pressure, etc.
Hook "I Will Survive"
3) Lyrics are not "grounded"
There is absolutely nothing wrong with metaphoric and/ or philosophical ideas, however without a grounded underlying idea or style that listeners can get in touch with, the concepts will fail. Frame of reference is key. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is an excellent example; while it was most definitely philosophical and metaphoric, it’s themes were likewise deeply rooted in the struggles of England at that time.
4) Writing in awkward, backward phrasing
A mistake that numerous writers make when aiming to seem ‘interesting’ or ‘artistic’ is the write in an uncomfortable, backward style, separating a phrase in a way that does not make sense, but just serves to be ‘various’.
Lyrics are constantly at their finest when written in a manner in which make sense to the listener. Be it a conversational style or otherwise, lyrics that are direct will make it far simpler to get in touch with the listener.
5) The lyrics are not genuine
If you’re not political, if you’re not charming, etc., do not aim to be. A disingenuous lyric will come off as such very rapidly and is a great method to lose your listener. No matter what your idea or style remains in your tune, your lyrics need to connect with you in order for them to take a life of their own. Otherwise the absence of conviction behind them will make the lyrics feel stagnant.
