How to Write a Song

If you ask various successful songwriters how they create their music, you’ll likely receive a wide range of responses. This is because there isn't one definitive method for songwriting; each artist has a unique creative process approach. For those just beginning, the most effective strategy is to write as many songs as possible. In doing so, you’ll discover what techniques resonate with you, your preferred steps, and what inspires your creativity. However, if you're feeling completely stuck and unsure of where to begin, we’ve outlined seven straightforward steps to guide you in songwriting. Use these as a foundation—try composing a few songs with this method, and you'll soon determine whether it suits you or needs to adjust it to align with your personal style. Now, let’s delve with Strange Weather into the seven steps for writing a song.

1. Gather ideas for your song

Every remarkable song begins with an idea, whether it’s a title, a concept, a lyric, or a melodic phrase. While some songwriters intentionally set aside time to brainstorm ideas, many find that their best inspirations often arise unexpectedly—during a conversation, while washing dishes, or even in the shower. Ideas can spring from various sources, including things you hear, read, see, remember, or experience. Other songs, movies, books, artworks, or discussions might also influence them. The crucial part is to be prepared to jot down ideas as they come to you. It's helpful to carry a notebook or use a notes app to capture song titles or lyrics on your phone. If you have a melody, use your phone's voice memo feature. While there's no guarantee that inspiration will strike when you sit down to create a song, having a collection of ideas on hand can be beneficial. Even if not every idea suits a song, you will likely find a hidden treasure among them. If you haven't had the opportunity to gather ideas naturally or feel uninspired, consider engaging in a songwriting challenge or using a prompt. These can give you clear guidelines to work within, preventing the overwhelming nature that can come from the endless possibilities for your song.

2. Play around with the building blocks

Now it's time to turn your ideas into a real song. At this stage, using an instrument such as a piano or guitar to develop chords along with your lyrics and melody can be beneficial. If you have a DAW (digital audio workstation) available, you can immediately record your ideas and experiment with some simple instrumental sections. Additionally, you can utilize tools like Create. to create original stacks of loops and samples, even without direct access to a digital audio workstation (DAW). Review your notes and recordings to identify what catches your attention, what you can use as it is, and what you want to elaborate on. There are no strict guidelines; as your collection of ideas increases, you might discover that something you wrote recently fits seamlessly with notes from months ago. Continue experimenting with lyrics, melodies, and chords. Some individuals create lyrics and melodies simultaneously, while others compose lyrics like poetry and add a melody afterward. Some start with a melody and then develop the lyrics. No matter your approach, avoid putting pressure on yourself to create something perfect or to lock it in. The wonderful aspect of this phase is the freedom to explore any ideas that come to you—you can always discard or modify them later. Additionally, don't feel obligated to write the song in a specific order; you can rearrange sections, shift lines around, or use temporary lyrics for now.

3. Finalize a theme and structure

If you begin with a title or a specific idea, you probably already know what your song will explore. However, that isn't always true; at times, the direction of the song only becomes clear after the foundational elements from the previous step help to uncover the theme. If you haven't done so already, decide what your song will convey, the energy it will embody, and the emotions you aim to stir in listeners. Just like crafting a hook for a research paper that captures the reader's attention, establishing a compelling theme early on will draw listeners in and keep them engaged. Once you've established your theme, write down any additional thoughts or messages you wish to express in your song that haven’t been noted yet. These notes don’t need to resemble complete lyrics at this point but will serve as reminders for key ideas you want to include. You will transform them into proper lyrics in the next stage. Additionally, start considering the structure of your song. While most songs adhere to a verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus format, there are no strict guidelines. Let your message guide you; if you have more to say, feel free to add an extra verse or modify one of the choruses. Now is an ideal moment to consider rhyme patterns. Your song doesn’t... have It's beneficial to maintain a rhyme scheme if some of your foundational elements already include rhymes. However, this doesn't mean that you have to stick to the same rhyme scheme for the whole song; doing so can be limiting and may force you to compromise on the lyrics' meaning just to make the rhymes work. As you create your song, focus on conveying your message, and don’t hesitate to alter the rhyme scheme whenever it feels appropriate.

4. Complete the missing parts in your songwriting.

You know what you want to express and the sections of the song where it fits—now it's time to bridge those gaps and complete the initial draft. In earlier stages, you've established specific guidelines for yourself, which can be both helpful and restrictive. You might have a set number of lines, need your line to conclude with a specific word for rhyming purposes, or have a particular message in mind for that line. If these constraints inspire your creativity, that’s fantastic! Continue using them to finalize your first draft. However, if they're hindering your progress, feel free to discard them and explore a totally different approach.

5. Note down any musical ideas

As you write the lyrics, chords, and melodies, you might find new ideas about the overall sound of the fully produced song. It's perfectly fine to take a break from songwriting to jot down these thoughts. If you’re playing an instrument while composing, you’re likely doing some arranging as well. If you’re working with a DAW, you might start adding basslines, crafting beats, or even recording ideas for background vocals. All these components will help clarify your vision for how the final song should feel. Remember, there is no single right way to approach songwriting. Some songwriters familiar with a DAW may create a full instrumental demo while simultaneously writing the lyrics and melody, while others may wait until all the lyrics are finished before picking up an instrument.

6. Edit your song

If you can remember only one piece of advice, make it this— do not skip the editing stage original concepts might be wonderful, but there's usually room for improvement. Take a few days off from working on the song to clear your mind, if possible. When you return, approach it with a renewed outlook. Identify any lyrics that seem overused, overly sentimental, or difficult to comprehend. Can you express them differently? Additionally, consider asking yourself, “Am I...?” telling the listener how I feel, or am I showing How can you rephrase the line so that the core message remains intact while presenting it in a different way? If you're uncertain about which lyrics need adjustments, listen to the entire song and pay attention to any parts that might bother you, even slightly. Alternatively, you could play the song for someone else and see if you feel prompted to say, “I might revise that” or “I’m still refining that section.” Don’t hesitate to experiment with the melodies and chords as well. Moreover, take a break from the song and observe if any sections linger in your mind. Are you humming the chorus or specific lines? If not, it might be a sign that the melody could be more engaging and memorable.

7. Finish the song

By now, your song should be complete. If you haven't achieved that yet or are not fully satisfied, you might be tempted to quit and start fresh with a new piece. While this may seem simpler, it won't improve your songwriting skills. You really need to practice finishing songs actively at harmonic music studios. Completing songs can be challenging—often, it's hard to tell if they're good enough or when to stop revising. However, it’s a crucial skill that every songwriter must develop. If you’re never at ease with finishing your less-than-perfect songs, how will you learn to finish the ones that are truly worth producing and recording? Not every song you create will be successful; in fact, most will not. What truly matters is that you continue to write songs, even if some may never be shared. Ensure you finish every song to clear your mind and make space for even better ideas.

How to write a song: Conclusion

Congratulations on completing an entire song! What comes next? Prepare yourself to write another one and then many more after that. If you're genuinely interested in mastering the art of songwriting, it's essential to make it a regular practice. When you write, focus on honing your craft rather than aiming for a hit song. Consider the hit a bonus that you'll stumble upon among a collection of average pieces. While you are developing your songwriting skills, take note of your process, especially as you learn how to write a hook for a research paper, which can parallel creating captivating hooks in your songs. You might discover that the seven-step method we've discussed works well for one song but needs to be completely altered for another. This variation is totally normal and is simply part of the creative journey—establishing rules and frameworks allows us to understand how to break them. Most importantly, keep writing and pushing your creative boundaries. We hope you find these songwriting tips useful and look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Additional Resources

For further insights and guidance on songwriting, consider exploring the following authoritative resources:

Berklee College of Music - Songwriting Department Explore comprehensive resources, courses, and expert advice on songwriting from one of the world’s leading music institutions.

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) A wealth of information for songwriters, including articles, interviews, and tips from successful songwriters and music industry professionals.

Songwriting Education at The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Access tools, workshops, and industry connections tailored for aspiring songwriters.

BBC Music - How to Write a Song BBC offers a variety of articles and video tutorials for budding songwriters, providing foundational tips and advanced techniques.

Musician’s Institute - Songwriting Programs Delve into focused programs and workshops dedicated to honing songwriting skills, with resources available for all levels.

These resources will help you deepen your understanding of songwriting and refine your craft.