There are many ways to write good lyrics for a song (or a poem). This article will introduce a few different ideas, hopefully to help you consider some new avenues for your songwriting that you may not have thought of before.

When looking at successful song lyrics, to make them sound original, they tend to avoid hackneyed phrases and often take tension, dissonance, or unexpected directions. The following are some strategies to consider for writing your own song lyrics:

Pun.
Some songs are different because they contain puns. For example:

• “You are my biggest mistake.” (Sheryl Crow)
• “The only thing that looks good on me is you.” (Bryan Adams)

Mysterious.

Some songs seem compelling because of the ambiguity (what does the singer really mean?) Or what the songs leave out. Leave one person guessing. For example:

• “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that …” (Meatloaf)
• “Because the night”
• “Don’t call me daughter, it’s not fair to me.” (Pearl jam)

Unexpected phrase.

Surprising people with a totally unexpected phrase can go a long way. For example:

• “I may not always love you …” in God only knows

Story.

Some songs tell a story or the account of some interesting experience or encounter.

• “A long, long time ago …” in Don McLean’s American Pie
• “The Story of My Life” by Deana Carter

Question.

Many songs ask questions, some of which may not have answers. For example,

• “Why do the birds appear suddenly?” by the carpenters
• “What’s my name?”, “Who wants to know?”, “Who am I?”

Repetition.

Many songs use a repeated word or phrase. For example, count the number of words repeated in the following songs:

• “I Believe” by Blessid Union of Souls
• Police “Every Breath You Take”

Film.

Some songs have creepy, descriptive words that paint a scene:

• “Screen door slams shut; Mary’s dress flutters …”
• “I see Maryanne walking away …”

Avoid cliches … unless you can add a new twist!

You should steer clear of the following clichés, unless you can add an unexpected and refreshing twist to them:

• heartbeat like a drum
• all night
• you are my fire .. wish
• standing in the rain .. pain .. crazy
• cold as ice
• fire in your eyes
• catch me when I fall

Other ideas.

There are many other ways to write good song lyrics. Some approaches that have worked for others:

• Geography (for example, songs like California Dreamin, Kansas City, Living in America, Carolina on my Mind)
• Names (eg, “Amanda”, “Eileen”, “Mandy”, “Virginia” and many others)
• Phone numbers and letters

(eg songs like “Jenny”, “I just called to tell you I love you”)

• Memories and time (songs focused on the past, present or future, eg “In my Life”, “Summer Holiday”, “Rock Around the Clock”, “Monday Monday”, etc.)

What is important for you?

Another idea is to consider the topics that are important in your own life (what you are passionate about, be it the environment, religion, politics, a hobby) and write songs related to those topics. Sometimes a sincere song can be the best.

Remember to have fun!