There are no rules in songwriting. When doing a workshop or teaching, I feel like I could preface half my sentences with, “Generally speaking…”. You can say certain things work in songs most of the time. But all of the time…? Never.

So… generally speaking, I find that in a lyric it works better to state an idea as strongly as possible. That is, to take a more extreme position, as opposed to a more qualified one.

For example, to sing, “I am” rather than, “I may be”. As in, “I am falling in love” instead of, “I may be falling in love”.

If the song’s about not being sure, of course the latter example would be appropriate. But “I am falling” will in most cases be much more dramatic, exciting, engaging than “I may be”.Having your narrator/singer be at extremes of emotion and conflict is usually just more interesting than more moderate feelings.

Singing, “I know you want me” is more intense and powerful than “I think you want me” (unless, again, the uncertainty is central to the song). Singing “there’s no hope” is more intense than, “there’s little hope”.

This area is one of those where a writer might need to swing away from autobiography. In the real-life feelings or situation, “there’s little hope” may be more accurate. But translated into the heightened world of song, “there’s no hope” will usually have more impact.

Don’t be afraid to make things less qualified, and hence more dramatic, in a song. Don’t be afraid to go to the extremes of the situation, the emotions. Push it to the limit. See what it feels like. You can always pull back… but once you’re there, you may not want to.

Let me know your thoughts in the Comments section below:

And please share on facebook etc. by clicking these tabs –