How to Write Song Lyrics
You don’t have to be a poet to write good lyrics. This guide shows practical techniques that will help you start — even if you’ve never written before.
Before You Start
Section titled “Before You Start”What Do You Want to Write About?
Section titled “What Do You Want to Write About?”The best lyrics talk about something specific. Instead of “about love” — “about how I met her at the bus stop.” Instead of “about success” — “about how no one believed, and now they do.”
Helpful questions:
- What have you experienced recently?
- What annoys / excites / saddens you?
- What story do you want to tell?
- What do you want the listener to feel?
Listen to the Backing Track
Section titled “Listen to the Backing Track”If you have a beat:
- What’s the mood? (aggressive, melancholic, happy)
- What’s the tempo? (fast flow or slow) — check BPM
- Where are the “gaps” for lyrics? (how many bars)
Match your lyrics to the energy of the backing track.
Song Structure
Section titled “Song Structure”Classic Layout
Section titled “Classic Layout”Intro (optional)Verse 1Chorus (hook)Verse 2ChorusBridge (optional)Chorus (x2)Outro (optional)What Is What?
Section titled “What Is What?”| Element | Function | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Verse | Story, details, storytelling | 8-16 bars |
| Chorus | Main idea, catchy, repeatable | 4-8 bars |
| Bridge | Change of perspective, contrast | 4-8 bars |
| Hook | Most important phrase, stays in your head | 1-2 lines |
Hook — The Most Important Thing
Section titled “Hook — The Most Important Thing”The hook is the phrase the listener will remember. It can be in the chorus or repeat throughout the song.
A good hook:
- Is short (3-7 words)
- Easy to sing/rap
- Has emotion or a twist
- Can be repeated many times
Examples of hooks:
- “Where’s the white eel?” — Cypis (Polish classic)
- “Money long like my track” — trap standard
- “Don’t ask me” — simple, emotional
Rhymes
Section titled “Rhymes”Types of Rhymes
Section titled “Types of Rhymes”| Type | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect | cat/hat | Predictable but satisfying |
| Slant | cat/bad | Modern, unexpected |
| Internal | ”I walk this path, I have a plan” | Adds flow |
| Multisyllabic | ”combination” / “domination” | Impressive, advanced |
Not Everything Has to Rhyme
Section titled “Not Everything Has to Rhyme”The message is more important than a forced rhyme. If the rhyme sounds artificial — throw it out.
Rhyme Schemes
Section titled “Rhyme Schemes”AABB — simplestLine 1 (A)Line 2 (A)Line 3 (B)Line 4 (B)
ABAB — alternatingLine 1 (A)Line 2 (B)Line 3 (A)Line 4 (B)
ABCABC — advancedLine 1 (A)Line 2 (B)Line 3 (C)Line 4 (A)Line 5 (B)Line 6 (C)Flow (for Rap)
Section titled “Flow (for Rap)”What Is Flow?
Section titled “What Is Flow?”Flow is how words fit into the rhythm. The same words can sound boring or great — depends on the flow.
How to Practice Flow?
Section titled “How to Practice Flow?”- Listen — analyze how your favorite artists place syllables
- Record yourself — listen, improve, record again
- Experiment — shift accents, add pauses, speed up
- Rap to different beats — same lyrics, different backing tracks
Basic Techniques
Section titled “Basic Techniques”| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Triplet flow | Three syllables per beat (popular in trap) |
| Syncopation | Accent falls off the strong beat |
| Double time | Twice as many syllables as normal |
| Pauses | Silence builds tension |
Writing Techniques
Section titled “Writing Techniques”Freewriting
Section titled “Freewriting”- Set a timer for 10 minutes
- Write everything that comes to mind
- Don’t correct, don’t judge
- After 10 minutes — pick the best parts
Mind Mapping
Section titled “Mind Mapping”- Write the topic in the center of the page
- Write associations around it
- From associations — more associations
- Find connections and stories
Writing to Melody
Section titled “Writing to Melody”- Start with the melody (humming, “la la la”)
- Fit syllables to the melody
- Replace gibberish with real words
- Refine until it fits
Common Mistakes
Section titled “Common Mistakes”Too Much “I”
Section titled “Too Much “I””“I am this, I do that, I have this” — boring. Show, don’t tell. Instead of “I’m sad” — describe a situation that shows sadness.
Cliché Rhymes
Section titled “Cliché Rhymes”“Love/above,” “fire/desire” — everyone’s heard them. Look for unexpected rhymes.
Lack of Specifics
Section titled “Lack of Specifics”“Everything is bad” — weak. “Alarm went off, work is crashing, girlfriend won’t text back” — better.
Verses Too Long
Section titled “Verses Too Long”If the listener gets lost — the lyrics are too long. Shorten, keep the essence.
Overusing Negatives
Section titled “Overusing Negatives”Thinking through negation can weaken your message. Instead of saying what you don’t want, say what you do want.
- ❌ “I don’t want to be alone” → ✅ “I want to be with you”
- ❌ “I’m not sad” → ✅ “I’m holding on”
- ❌ “I won’t forget this night” → ✅ “I’ll remember this night”
Lyrics full of negatives sound defensive and weak. Affirmation has more power.
How to Unblock Yourself?
Section titled “How to Unblock Yourself?”Creative Block
Section titled “Creative Block”- Change location — leave the house, go for a walk
- Change tools — instead of phone, grab paper
- Change topic — write about something else, come back later
- Listen to music — but different from usual
Looking for a Topic?
Section titled “Looking for a Topic?”- Describe your day
- Describe your last argument
- Describe someone you love/hate
- Describe a place you remember from childhood
- Respond to a song that annoys you
Help at Flightcore
Section titled “Help at Flightcore”You don’t have to come with finished lyrics. Our engineers can help:
- Artistic consultation — concept discussion, feedback
- Co-writing — engineers help write lyrics and melodies
- Songwriting session — creating together from scratch
Checklist Before the Session
Section titled “Checklist Before the Session”- I have a topic / message
- I have structure (verses, chorus)
- Hook is catchy
- Lyrics match the beat (tempo, mood)
- I’ve practiced out loud
- I know how I want to sing/rap it