How to Come Up With Song Lyrics - A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Great Lyrics

Music evokes powerful emotions. Studies have shown that music not only affects human emotions but also influences various animal species. Researches have found that music can have a calming and relaxing effect on certain animals, such as reducing stress levels in dogs (Zapata et. al., 2024). Similarly, in humans, as we all are aware, music evokes a wide range of emotions. With added layer of words that communicate the emotions, songs become a powerful tool to express and share emotions.

Great song lyrics are those that connect with listeners on an emotional and intellectual level, leaving a lasting impression. They often combine storytelling, emotional resonance, and creative language to stand out. Imagine crafting lyrics that tap into the same elemental forces that make a soothing melody calm a restless cow or make a cat purr with delight. This guide will explore the components that make lyrics effective, backed by research and practical advice.

A dog listening to music on radio, happy and relaxed (AI generated image)

Why some lyrics resonate more than others?

Some lyrics become timeless classics while others fade into obscurity. But what makes a song’s lyrics truly resonate? The answer lies in a mix of emotional depth, relatability, storytelling, and musicality.

Great lyrics resonate because they are born from a blend of creative exploration, disciplined practice, and an understanding of the human mind. Recent research in neuroscience and psychology shows that the creative process involved in songwriting is both measurable and improvable.

Emotional Connection

Listeners connect deeply with lyrics that reflect universal emotions—love, loss, joy, and struggle. A study by Juslin & Västfjäll (2008) on music and emotions found that people experience strong emotional responses to music that mirrors their own feelings and life experiences. This is why lyrics that feel personal and authentic tend to have a lasting impact.

To evoke emotions effectively:

• Use emotionally charged words, such as "heartbroken" or "ecstatic," to connect with listeners' feelings.
• Create relatable scenarios, like love, loss, or triumph, to mirror personal experiences, enhancing listener identification.
• Balance positive and negative emotions, as seen in songs like Adele's "Hello," which mixes longing with hope, creating a dynamic emotional landscape.

Research also indicates that successful songs tend to be "happier" and more "party-like," correlating with chart performance, suggesting emotional tone influences popularity.

The Power of Storytelling

Research suggests that song lyrics often follow a narrative structure, similar to longer forms of storytelling like books or films (Songs tell a story: The Arc of narrative for music). A study analyzing 12,280 song lyrics found that they typically set the stage at the beginning, progress the plot steadily, and peak in cognitive tension in the middle, with variations by genre—Country and Rap often set the scene in greater detail, while Pop progresses faster with higher internal conflict.

To craft compelling narratives:

• Setting the Stage: Begin with an introduction that establishes context or characters, such as opening with a location or a personal reflection.
• Progressing the Plot: Develop the story through verses, introducing conflicts or changes, like a relationship evolving or a journey unfolding.
• Peaking in Tension: Build to a climactic point, often in the chorus or bridge, to engage listeners emotionally, such as resolving a conflict or expressing a revelation.

Examples include The Eagles' "Hotel California," which tells a mysterious journey from innocence to experience, or Iron Maiden's "Alexander the Great," which narrates historical events with clear plot progression.

Catchy and Memorable Phrasing

Repetition, rhyme, and rhythm make lyrics easier to remember. Studies on cognitive processing, such as those by Patel (2008), show that lyrical structure affects memory retention. Songs with strong hooks and cleverly crafted phrases tend to stick with listeners longer.

Literary devices like metaphors, rhyme, and alliteration add depth and memorability to lyrics. While specific research on metaphors in lyrics is limited, articles highlight their impact. For example, The Beatles' "Blackbird" uses the blackbird as a metaphor for the Civil Rights Movement, creating vivid imagery. Rhyme, meanwhile, is noted for enhancing memorability, with studies on rap music showing internal and imperfect rhymes as key stylistic features

Blackbird by The Beatles is a great example of a song with a strong hook and catchy phrasing utilizing metaphors and rhyme.

Simple vs Complex Words - Balancing Accessibility and Depth

Recent research indicates a trend toward simpler, more repetitive lyrics over the past five decades, potentially aiding memorability. A study of 353,320 English songs from 1970–2020 found decreased vocabulary richness, readability, and complexity, with increased repetition, particularly in pop, rock, rap, R&B, and country genres. This simplicity may reflect changes in music consumption, like shorter attention spans on streaming platforms.

• Use simple language for accessibility, ensuring broad appeal, as seen in chart-topping hits with repetitive choruses.
• Add nuanced meanings or layered interpretations, like Dylan's poetic verses, to keep listeners intrigued, balancing clarity with depth.

This balance is crucial, as research suggests successful songs often exhibit both simplicity for memorability and complexity for artistic value.

The Neuroscience of Creativity in Songwriting

Neuroscience, in particular, sheds light on how creativity functions in the brain, offering valuable insights into how songwriters can enhance their craft. By understanding how our minds generate ideas, structure thoughts, and tap into emotions, we can apply science-backed strategies to improve our lyrical writing skills.

Neuroimaging studies have shown that when artists improvise musically, their brains exhibit increased activity in regions linked to emotion, language, and self-expression. In a landmark study, Limb and Braun (2008) used fMRI to show that jazz musicians engaged in improvisation experienced deactivation in areas responsible for self-monitoring, while activating regions that spark creativity. This suggests that freeing yourself from self-criticism can allow for more innovative lyric writing.

Flow and the Creative Process

The concept of “flow,” introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, further explains how deep immersion in an activity can lead to heightened creativity. When you’re in the zone, your thoughts align seamlessly with your emotions—a state ideal for writing authentic, impactful lyrics. This research underlines the importance of developing environments and routines that help you enter flow states while writing.

Ingredients for Coming Up with Great Lyrics

1. Create a Positive Environment

A positive mood enhances divergent thinking—a key element in coming up with original lyrics. Cultivating a relaxed and inspired atmosphere, whether through music, nature, or meditation, can help nurture this creative mood.

2. Free Writing

One proven technique is free writing, where you set aside your inner critic and write continuously for a set period. This method not only boosts creative output but also uncovers unexpected themes and metaphors. The idea of letting thoughts flow aligns with research on spontaneous creativity, which highlights that reducing self-monitoring can lead to more authentic artistic expression.

3. Use Prompts and Constraints

Using prompts—whether a single word, a line from a poem, or a visual image—can jump-start your creative process. Constraints, rather than limiting you, often force you to think outside the box. This approach is backed by research in creative problem solving, which indicates that working within boundaries can foster innovative thinking.

Great lyricists often draw inspiration from everyday experiences. Whether it’s a conversation, a personal hardship, or the beauty of a sunset, life is full of material waiting to be transformed into art. Keeping a journal to capture your thoughts and observations can be a goldmine for lyric ideas later on.

4. Develop a Routine for Deliberate Practice

Consistent practice is crucial. Deliberate practice is a key ingredient in achieving high levels of expertise in any field. Set aside dedicated time each day to write, revise, and experiment with different lyrical styles. Over time, your unique voice will emerge, and your capacity for creative thinking will sharpen.

• Set a Timer: Write non-stop for 10–15 minutes without editing. Let your thoughts spill onto the page.
• Word Association: Choose a random word and jot down all the related ideas, feelings, or memories it brings up. Experiment with rhyme schemes and metaphors to enhance creativity, drawing from successful songwriters' techniques.
• Thematic Challenge: Pick a theme for the day (e.g., hope, solitude) and write lyrics or short verses around it. Revise and refine, focusing on clarity and emotional connection, ensuring lyrics resonate with your intended audience.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

While research and techniques can guide you, authenticity remains at the core of memorable lyrics. Your personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives are what make your writing unique. Experiment boldly and trust that every draft brings you closer to your true artistic expression.

Instantly Generate Lyrical Ideas with Neume's AI Lyrics Generator

Neume has several AI lyrics generators that you can utilize to generate lyrical ideas. If nothing else is working, try the AI lyrics generator. It will definitely help you come up with some ideas.

Wrapping It Up

Crafting great song lyrics is both an art and a science, blending emotional resonance, storytelling, and creative language in ways that connect with listeners on multiple levels. By combining insights from neuroscience, psychology, and songwriting techniques, you can enhance your lyrical writing skills and create songs that stand out. Whether through free writing, using lyrical prompts, or understanding how emotions shape your lyrics, the key to success lies in practice, authenticity, and the willingness to explore new creative boundaries.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for writing great lyrics. Draw inspiration from your own life, be fearless in experimenting with new ideas, and embrace your unique voice. And if you're ever stuck or need a boost of inspiration, Neume’s AI-powered tools can help generate lyrical ideas to jump-start your creative process. Keep writing, refining, and evolving, and your lyrics will undoubtedly strike a chord with listeners.