So, today, after almost a month of radio silence, I´d like to devote myself to the topic of lyric writing. As you may have seen on my Instagram page, I bought Pat Pattison´s book „Writing better lyrics“ a few weeks ago, and while I havent fully read the book yet, I have already gained a lot of new insights and perspectives on lyric writing so far.
I´d like to share some of those insights with you, today, because lyrics really do matter! Some people listen to songs half-heartetly – only paying attention to the melody, but not so much to the actual story that´s being told! I don´t function that way! To me, a song always requires interesting lyrics.
However, I have detected a lot of weaknesses in my own sets of lyrics lately. I for example often elaborate on the same topic in different ways throughout all verses. While this might be acceptable to some listeners, it might also just bore the rest of the audience. Pat suggests that building up momentum by either adding new information along each verse or by changing angles from one verse to the next will add some sort of dynamic and keep the audience engaged in the story. And he is right!
If you look at some of the greatest songs, you will mostly find a thought-through plot, that builds up suspense throughout the song. Let´s look at a great song by one of my favorite modern Country artists, Ashley Monroe:
Two weeks late
I bet I’m the talk of this town
If you don’t have a ring, then he won’t settle down
And I hate to admit that you’re right
Cause I’m sleeping alone tonight
So the man is gone
What a damn cliche’
And my mama says
Looks like I’ve gained some weight
Landlord’s at the door
He says the rent can’t wait
But I’m a dollar short
And two weeks late
Yeah I feel sorry for me
Know that I got a secret that I’m gonna keep
When you’re living in sin, I guess
Sometimes that’s just what you get
So the man is gone
What a damn cliche’
And my mama says
Looks like I’ve gained some weight
Landlord’s at the door
He says the rent can’t wait
But I’m a dollar short
And two weeks late
Now, let´s take a closer look:
In verse one, she opens with a strong line, making you curious „I bet I´m the talk of this town“ …there´s gossip going on in town apparently…she might have done something forbidden…..
In the chorus she sums up her current status…she has been dumped by a man she had an affair with, she´s broke and on top of things she might be pregnant…
In verse two she gives a hint, that yes, she might really be pregnant…but only she knows…it´s a secret…This verse makes you stick, because you´d like to ask her to tell the truth…shes got you on her hook.The chorus follows and that´s about it! The song ends here. No bridge, no resolution….and that makes it a great song!
She could have written a bridge explaining or even exusing herself…but that would have seemed like she was defending herself. She could have added a bridge from a third person narrative…saying…That serves you right, you naughty naughty girl…get your life together etc. But that would have seemed very harsh and condemning.
Instead the audience can decide whether to sympathize with the girl and have some pity or whether to condemn her, but she´s already taking the blame, so chances are, that the audience will feel for her. In fact peple might actually relate to the song (being in a similar situation) The song might give them hope that they will be forgiven…it is a lovely constuction that way. Simply beautiful.
A lot of times, songwriters just repeat one idea over and over…like in this classic (which is still a lovely song, but less engaging- story-wise):
Hero – by Mariah Carey:
There’s a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don’t have to be afraid
Of what you are
There’s an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
It’s a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don’t let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You’ll find the way
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
You will have noticed that the messages in verse one and verse two are pretty much identical. Even the bridge transports the same message, but with more emphasis and determination!
The song is a beautiful piece of art, but there could have been more variety going on in the verses.
I suggest reading „Writing better lyrics“ to any songwriter, that really wants to become great! There´s so much advice to be found in that book! I highly recommend it! Let me know how approach storytelling!