Teach me the good stuff.

Taking time to write on a regular basis is key to growing as a songwriter. But as important as reserving time to create, is using that time in ways that expand our understanding of our craft. Similar to practicing an instrument, some activities encourage growth more than others. We might be drawn to running the same section of a song that comes more easily to our fingers, avoiding the parts that don’t. Without addressing the tough parts, we find we bump up against the old limitations of our skillsets, never growing past them.

The strength of any song often lies in its alignment between music and message. When music and lyric are working together, each is strengthened. Like so many songwriting tools, what sounds true isn’t necessarily as easily implemented while writing actual songs. In this article, I’d like to expand on the relationship between lyric and music, and suggest a few ways to ‘intuit’ this connection better while writing.

Writing simple and effective hooks and choruses is deceptively difficult to do well. A chorus is the central section of the song that delivers the summarizing thoughts, usually tied up by the title, which we often call the “hook.” This “hook” is also engaged to a melodic theme that defines the song.

We’re told that song ideas are everywhere, but it’s also a very real experience to sit down to write and see nothing but a blank page. I can relate to the experience of putting pen to paper, or pressing record, only to feel my judgment narrow and all the ideas I thought I had suddenly fail to squeeze through the door.

As a lover of lyric-laden tunes, I have roamed years in the weeds of unfinished songs. Getting each line to carry its weight, while also being understood, while also agreeing with and supporting the musical moment is hard. Really hard.