How do you generate ideas for original lyrics?

Answer 1

Here's one of my favorite brainstorming strategies!

LYRICS BY LISTING

1. Use a random word generator to get a one-word suggestion
2. Begin listing any ideas that word evokes.
3. Look for a common thread or metaphor from that list: if you find something you connect to emotionally, then that's your song.

Example

The generator gave me the word "twin" and my free-write looked like this:

Twin flames, twin sisters, groups of two, two-by-two, Noah's ark, mirrors, The Parent Trap, The Shining, evil twins, Jekyll & Hyde, 1+1=2, gemini

After writing my list, I see a common thread: the duality of identity. I feel drawn to write about how the face people show the world isn't always how they truly feel inside.

Here are my starter lyrics:

I wake in the morning and put on my mask

The one with the sweet-as-pie smile

I step out the front door and silently bask

In being somebody else for a while

I am a liar,

I'm Jekyll & Hyde,

I'm someone and no one at all,

I am the truth

But I quietly hide

Because outside I feel far too small

Answer 2

This is an awesome question to ask!

Each songwriter tends to bring unique perspectives to their work.

There is no one "right" or "wrong" way to do this, but it might help you to think about these topics as you settle on the types of lyrics that you'll be writing:

1. Personal interests such as sports, art, dancing, food, fashion, or film.
2. Where you are from.
3. Your dreams for the future!
4. Family and friends.
5. Belief systems that matter to you.

My students have found that random word generators have helped them, especially when writing rap lyrics!

Consider what connotations you might have with the words that it generates. If you can really associate emotions and ideas with generated words, then you can get into the groove of building out the rest of your songs' lyrics.

I also like to write choruses that connect the more unique verses of each song.

Best of luck to you on your songwriting endeavors!

Answer 3

This depends on whether this is a hobby or on a deadline. If it's a hobby, I would say don't force it. Lyrics usually come to me when I'm just living life, and something evokes a feeling. Sometimes it is easier to think of it as just a poem when you start out. Keep up to four different syllable counts for the different sections (verse, pre chorus, chorus, and bridge). As this becomes natural, you will be able to hear the song forming in your head.

I can't speak to the best ways to do this if this is your vocation or job, not my area but this works for me as a hobby :)

Answer 4

I would recommend writing everything down that has been on your mind lately, whether it is about a relationship, your job, your family, random thoughts, questions you have been asking yourself, really anything.

Because there are potential song topics everywhere, and if you write down a lot of thoughts you might come up with a cool theme for a song or even some snippets for lyrics already just by writing down your thoughts and feelings :)

You could also start with fun titles, either inspired by movies, books, or poems (titles are not copyrightable), or some of your favorite movie quotes - maybe that inspires new lyrics as well!

There are a couple of fun strategies to come up with original lyrics, if you want to learn and explore more songwriting strategies - feel free to reach out 😊