Words & Music Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Own Song Lyrics

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“[Songwriting is] therapy. It’s fun. It’s creative. I love getting on a big writing binge and staying up a couple or three days working on songs and knowing at the end of those two or three days that I’ve created something that was never in the world before.”

Have you ever wanted to write a song but didn’t know where to start? The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is here to help, providing this step-by-step guide to craft your song’s lyrics.

Who should use this guide?

This songwriting guide is for everyone. You can work independently or collaborate with a friend or your family.

How long will this process take?

45-60 minutes (or any amount of time you want to commit to this).

What materials do I need?

Your creativity, a timer (such as the one on your cell phone), paper, pencil/pen, and a device that can play music videos. Optional: Download or print the accompanying Workbook.

Originally, songs were written by storytellers as a way to help people remember a story and pass it along to other listeners.

Today, the songs we hear on the radio, streaming services, etc., are often written by professional songwriters and then recorded by recordings artists. There are also many artists who write and record their own songs, ranging from Garth Brooks to Taylor Swift.

Songs can be inspired by anything.

Examples may be:

Songs can express anything.

Examples may be:

Telling a story Communicating how you feel Describing a person or an object

A real-life experience A dream or made-up experience A phrase you heard in conversation A person, place, or thing that moves you

The TITLE is the name of the song.

The VERSE communicates the details of the song, such as who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Songs usually have multiple verses.

The PRE-CHORUS is a short section that serves as a transition from the verse to the chorus. It further explains the verse and sets-up the theme, or message, of the chorus. The pre-chorus lyrics can be the same each time (like the chorus tends to be) or it can change (like the verse). The pre-chorus usually has a different melody from the verse and chorus.

Note that not all songs have a pre-chorus.

The CHORUS conveys the theme of the song.

The chorus is usually simpler than the verses and often contains the title. The chorus is repeated throughout the song.

The BRIDGE introduces a twist or new idea.

It usually occurs toward the song’s end, and it has a different melody from the verses and chorus. Note that not all songs have a bridge.

The THEME is the message of the song.

The theme is found in the song’s chorus.

The HOOK is the part of the song that catches, or “hooks,” a listener’s attention and makes the song easy to remember. The title and hook are often the same, and the hook is usually repeated throughout the song.

Listen to “Rainbow”

by Kacey Musgraves.

Can you identify the parts of this song?

Click to watch Kacey Musgraves perform “Rainbow” on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors, is currently exhibited at the museum.

RAINBOW

Written by Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves

When it rains it pours but you didn’t even notice It ain’t rainin’ anymore, it’s hard to breathe when all you know is The struggle of staying above, the rising water line Well the sky is finally open, the rain and wind stopped blowin’ But you’re stuck out in the same old storm again You hold tight to your umbrella, well, darlin’ I’m just tryin’ to tell ya That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head If you could see what I see, you’d be blinded by the colors Yellow, red and orange and green, and at least a million others So tie up the boat, take off your coat and take a look around

‘Cause the sky is finally open, the rain and wind stopped blown’ But you’re stuck out in the same old storm again You hold tight to your umbrella, well, darlin’ I’m just tryin’ to tell ya That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head Oh tie up the boat, take off your coat and take a look around Everything is alright now ‘Cause the sky has finally opened, the rain and wind stopped blowin’ But you’re stuck out in the same old storm again Let go of your umbrella, ‘cause darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head Yeah there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head It’ll all be alright

TITLE

VERSE

PRE-CHORUS

CHORUS

VERSE

PRE-CHORUS

RAINBOW

Written by Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves

When it rains it pours but you didn’t even notice It ain’t rainin’ anymore, it’s hard to breathe when all you know is

CHORUS

The struggle of staying above, the rising water line Well the sky is finally open, the rain and wind stopped blowin’ But you’re stuck out in the same old storm again You hold tight to your umbrella, well, darlin’ I’m just tryin’ to tell ya That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head If you could see what I see, you’d be blinded by the colors Yellow, red and orange and green, and at least a million others So tie up the boat, take off your coat and take a look around

BRIDGE

CHORUS

‘Cause the sky is finally open, the rain and wind stopped blown’ But you’re stuck out in the same old storm again You hold tight to your umbrella, well, darlin’ I’m just tryin’ to tell ya That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head Oh tie up the boat, take off your coat and take a look around Everything is alright now ‘Cause the sky has finally opened, the rain and wind stopped blowin’ But you’re stuck out in the same old storm again Let go of your umbrella, ‘cause darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head Yeah there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head It’ll all be alright

“When I’m writing, I’m just writing for me. I’m writing hoping I like the song.

Most of my songs are about life, about me, or something that’s happened.”

Songwriters are constantly thinking creatively about life experiences and capturing their ideas in words.

We encourage you to get some thoughts on paper through a “freewrite.” The purpose of freewriting is to generate ideas that you can draw from when you create an outline for your song.

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Using a pen and paper, or a computer: Write about anything on your mind

Write for the whole five minutes Don’t worry about spelling or punctuation, focus on capturing your thoughts

Do you see a song idea in your freewrite? If not, try using a Brainstorm Wheel.

You can draw a Brainstorm Wheel or use the one provided in the print-at-home Workbook.

Write a sentence that best describes the THEME of the song you want to write:

Reminder: The THEME is the message of the song. The theme is found in the song’s CHORUS.

EXTRA DETAIL

EXTRA DETAIL

EXTRA DETAIL

DETAIL

DETAIL

Example: Aroma of the biscuits

DETAIL

Now that you picked a THEME, let’s expand on the feeling and details. Use the Spider Map method.

Write your THEME or topic in the circle, and add branches for every detail that comes to mind You can add branches for the details, too Y ou can draw a Spider Map, or use the one provided in the accompanying Workbook

Example: Biscuits on the baking sheet

SONG THEME

Example: Grandma’s kitchen

Now that you have a THEME and details, create a song outline on a piece of paper or use the template provided in the accompanying Workbook.

Title: Verse 1 (Topic): Chorus (Theme): Verse 2 (Topic): Chorus (Theme Repeated): Bridge (Optional):

“There is no set formula, except for the fact that over the years, I have a theme that I remember to remind myself – KISS – keep it simple, stupid ... Write as clearly and plainly as you can, keep the title evident in the song, and try to convey your feelings in a simple, honest, and straightforward way.”

In a song, a RHYME occurs when words at the end of two or more lines share the same or a similar sound.

A RHYME SCHEME describes the pattern of rhyming words at the end of lines in a song.

Use the first two letters of the alphabet – A and B – to show lines that rhyme.

Listen to the song “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

by Country Music Hall of Fame member Loretta Lynn. What is the rhyme scheme in the first verse?

Well, I was born a coal miner’s daughter In a cabin on a hill in Butcher Holler We were poor but we had love That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of

Photo: Leonard Kamsler Click to watch video of “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

A A B B

What is the rhyme scheme to the first verse in “Rainbow”?

Write “A” or “B” in the blanks. Answers are on the next page.

When it rains it pours But you didn’t even notice It ain’t rainin’ anymore It’s hard to breathe when all you know is

The rhyme scheme to the first verse in “Rainbow” is:

When it rains it pours

A

But you didn’t even notice

B

It ain’t rainin’ anymore

A

It’s hard to breathe when all you know is

B

Using your Song Outline as a guide, begin by writing a VERSE and a CHORUS.

Verse

Write four lines of lyrics for each section.

Attempt to rhyme the last words in a pattern (like AABB or ABAB).

Continue by writing another VERSE (and repeat the CHORUS). Add a BRIDGE for a surprise twist.

Write your song on a piece of paper, on a computer or tablet, or on the Songwriting Template provided in the accompanying Workbook.

Chorus

We encourage you to add music to your lyrics, so they are in final song

form. Pick up an instrument, if you play one, or collaborate with a friend or family member.

GarageBand is a useful, approachable option

if you want to add music to your lyrics and have access to an Apple device. To learn how to use GarageBand, download our GarageBand Tutorial and our GarageBand Quick Reference and Glossary.

Words & Music at Home is a branch of the Museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music. Thanks to the following supporters who ensure the sustainability of this important work.

Words & Music is made possible by the Country Music Association Endowment for Words & Music and is funded in part by Chet Atkins Music Education Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; CMA; CMA Foundation; Dollar General Literacy Foundation; HCA Foundation; The Memorial Foundation; Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission; Nashville Predators Foundation; PNC Grow Up Great; Tennessee Arts Commission; and Wells Fargo. © 2021 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum