Blog Entry - Writing Lyrics

When writing lyrics, what are the techniques one can use? What are the most important things to think about when writing lyrics?

During a song writing workshop held by Natalie (vocal tutor), some effective methods were given to us including.


Alliteration -  'artificial amateurs aren't all amazing' - Alphabet Aerobics by Blackilicious , words beginning with the same letter enforce a beat, and are easy to remember. Also they are aesthetically pleasing to the ear.

Emotive Language - 'And I will always love you!' - Whitney Houston,

First Line Techniques - ''If you like Piña Coladas!' - Jimmy Buffet, the first line draws people in, and needs to be a stand alone line that is memorable.

Paragram - Imagery Personification, metaphors, symbolism.



Hyperbole - 'Cry Me a River' - An exaggerated statement not to be taken literally, hyperboles are good for creating different moods and atmospheres.


Rhyme -  As has been noticed previously, we like patterns - rhymes can help phrase songs and are usually pleasing to the listener, also rhymes show creativity and care - it can be easier to express an idea by having the rhyme to enhance it.

Assonance - ''the repetition of the sound of a vowel or diphthong in nonrhyming stressed syllables near enough to each other for the echo to be discernible'' Oxford Dictionaries.