How to Write Hokum Songs

Hokum songs are that rude wink at grandma while you play a juke joint classic. They are built from sly jokes, irresistible wordplay, and a wink that says I know what you are thinking even if you are pretending not to. If you want to write songs that make people laugh, blush, and sing along in the same breath, this is your field guide with attitude.

This article is written for artists who love music, mischief, and a little theatrical bullshit. You will get the history you need to avoid embarrassing historical mistakes, a clear method to write modern hokum that lands with audiences, melody and rhythm tips that make lines stick, production pointers so your novelty sounds professional, and publishing advice so you get paid when people stream and sync your cheeky earworm.

What is hokum

Hokum originally refers to a style of American popular music from the 1910s through the 1940s that used bawdy humor, double entendre, and comic storytelling. Artists like Tampa Red, Georgia Tom, and later vaudeville and blues performers used it to sneak risqué ideas into mainstream spaces. In modern usage hokum means playful, often sexually suggestive songs or novelty numbers that trade on charm and clever lines rather than brutal emotional truth.

Think of hokum as comedy in song form. The emotional stakes are usually small. The reward is a big laugh or a sly nod. If you want to write hokum that feels fresh in 2025 you need to balance vintage references with modern language and cultural awareness.

Why write hokum songs right now

• People love things that make them laugh. On social apps short comedic songs get replayed and stitched endlessly.
• Novelty tracks are highly shareable. They often blow up because they are simple and immediate.
• Hokum can be a gateway track. A cheeky single can grow your audience for deeper material.
• There is a long tradition you can reference and subvert. That makes the songwriting fun and smart.

Know the rules so you can break them

Hokum feels effortless when it follows a few unstated rules. Learn the rules and then bend them for your own voice.

• Clarity first. The joke must land on first listen. If listeners do not get the punchline within a bar they will scroll.
• Economy. Keep lines tight. Excess words dilute the gag.
• Timing. A comedic pause or a held note is as powerful as a rhyme.
• Double entendre. Use it expertly. It should reveal and hide at the same time.
• Character. Hokum songs often come from a persona. Decide who is speaking and stay in their voice.

Start with a core joke

Before you touch melody or chords write one sentence that is your joke in plain speech. This is your core promise. Treat it like the title of a stand up bit. If you cannot say the idea in one crisp sentence go back to the joke and sharpen.

Examples

• I use my exes like a mixtape and the chorus is the skip button.
• My neighbor thinks I have a parrot. It is just my voice on the roof at 2 a.m.
• I dated a dishwasher because it actually cleaned up my messes.

Turn that line into a working title you can sing. Short is usually better. Big vowels sing well. If your title contains the joke, you can use it as an earworm in the chorus.

Choose a structure that supports comedy

Comedy in songs needs space to set up and deliver. Use structures that create moments for set up and payoff.

Structure A: Verse, Pre, Chorus, Verse, Pre, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus

This gives you breathing room to build the situation in verses and deliver a repeated gag in the chorus. The pre chorus can tighten the rhythm and point at the punchline.

Structure B: Intro Hook, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Short Final Chorus

Intro hooks work well for hokum. If you open with a funny tag it becomes a recognizable motif people can sing back or use as a social app sound.

Structure C: Two Line Verse, Chorus, Dialogue Bridge, Chorus

Short verses keep momentum. The bridge can be a phone text, a stage aside, or a mock interview that flips the joke.

Write lyrics with the comedy engine in mind

Hokum lyrics have three main job parts. Set up. Mislead. Payoff. You will move from plain details to a twist that triggers laughter or a blush.

Setup

Give a small, concrete detail that creates an image. Avoid explaining the joke. Let the detail carry implication. If you say The lights are dim and my socks are bright you have image without explanation.

Misdirect

Introduce a plausible but boring meaning so the listener interprets one way. This is the safe route. They are reading the verse one way while you are positioning for the twist.

Payoff

Deliver a second meaning or an unexpected action. Use a short line that lands on a strong beat or a held note. That release is the laugh.

Double entendre and innuendo without being gross

Double entendre is the classic weapon of hokum. It lets you sound naughty without explicit language. The craft is to give listeners two readings. One reading is innocent. The other reading is deliciously suggestive. Aim for precision rather than brute force.

Real life scenario: You are at an open mic. You sing a verse about gardening and your chorus repeats I like my roses long and tight. People smile because the gardening image is credible and the other reading is obvious. If you instead write vague lines that try to shock you will lose charm and gain eye rolls.

Keep these rules in mind

• Make the innocent reading believable
• Place the ambiguous word at the emotional turn of the line
• Avoid crude words if your goal is witty comedy rather than shock
• Test lines on small crowds before you record the final take

Rhyme and rhythm for laugh timing

Rhyme supports punchlines. Perfect rhymes can make a line snap. Internal rhymes add bounce. But do not make the rhyme the joke unless the rhyme itself is clever.

Timing is everything. A one beat pause before the last word of a punchline gives the audience time to predict and then you can surprise them. A long held note on a naughty word gives the laugh space to happen. If you rush the payoff you will lose the comedy.

Melody choices that make jokes stick

Hokum melodies tend to be singable and slightly theatrical. Think vaudeville plus modern ear candy. The chorus should be easy for a room full of people to chant after one listen. Keep melodies in a comfortable range so people can sing them without effort.

Use a short melodic leap into the punchline. A small jump is like raising a brow and then smiling. If you want to push modern listeners, add a rhythmic syncopation that lands the last word on an off beat and then resolves it. This feels cheeky and alive.

Character and persona

Hokum works when the singer embodies a character. Decide if the narrator is a charming liar, a scandalized neighbor, a wise old blues player, or a cocky pop star. Persona affects word choice and delivery. When you commit to a person the lines read like confession rather than exposition.

Real life scenario: You choose a persona of a retired magician who flirts with every volunteer. Your lines will be full of stage terms, props, and the wink of someone who knows a trick. The humor sits inside details and the audience trusts the voice because it sounds lived in.

Performance tips

• Timing is a performance tool. Pause. Let the audience imagine. The laugh lives in the space before you reveal the final word.
• Use facial and physical cues. A raised eyebrow or a wink sells lines that sound flat on paper.
• Record a rehearsal with an audience. Try the song for five people and watch which lines get a reaction. Tweak wording based on real laughs not your theory of funny.

Production choices so hokum tracks sound professional

Novelty songs can sound cheesy in a bad way or retro in a great way. Production decisions determine which. Use clear vocals and tight mixes so the lyric is always audible. Add period touches if you lean vintage. Use modern club elements if you want a viral moment for short videos.

Do not overproduce. The comedy voice needs space. If you bury the vocal in a sea of guitars people will miss the punchline and then blame your mix. If you want a skit vibe, add call and response backing vocals and a character voice in the bridge. A short spoken line can be golden if executed with timing.

Examples with before and after lines

Theme: Ghosting someone in a dramatic but silly way.

Before: I stopped texting you and now I am free.

After: I changed my name on your phone to Do Not Call and now your mom still asks for receipts.

Theme: Mistaking a pet for a lover.

Before: I sleep with my dog sometimes.

After: I told my mom the dog is my boyfriend and he still gets invited home for Thanksgiving.

Theme: Workplace flirting gone wrong.

Before: I flirt with the barista and he flirts back.

After: I left a note that said Call me and he put it on the espresso machine like a wanted poster.

Songwriting exercises for hokum

The Object Confessional

Pick an everyday object within reach. Write eight lines where the object performs human actions and reveals a secret. Timebox it to ten minutes. Choose the nicest or nastiest image as your chorus line.

The Two Readings Drill

Write a verse where every line has a believable innocent meaning. Now rewrite the last word in each line so each line gains a second, funnier reading. Keep the innocent meaning coherent so the double reading feels earned.

The Title Flip

Write a title that seems wholesome. Create three alternate titles that slide the meaning toward mischief. Pick the one that opens the most comedic possibilities. Titles like Laundry Day, Table for One, and Garden Party can all move cheeky with a twist.

Prosody and delivery for comedic clarity

Prosody means matching natural speech stresses with musical emphasis. Record yourself speaking the punchline at normal pace. Mark the stressed syllables. Those syllables should land on strong beats or longer notes. If a stressed word hits a weak beat you will lose impact. Rewrite the line or move the melody so sound and sense agree.

Publishing and rights basics explained simply

If this song does anything at all you will want to be paid. Some quick terms explained:

• PRO means performance rights organization. Examples are BMI and ASCAP. These groups collect royalties when your song is performed or broadcast. Register with one so you can collect money when people play your song on radio or at venues.
• Mechanical royalties are payments for reproductions of your composition like streams or sales. Platforms like Spotify pay these for public plays through licensing systems. A mechanical license is the legal permission to record someone else song. If you cover a hokum standard you need a mechanical license.
• Sync means synchronization. Sync refers to licensing your song for use in TV ads, movies, or online videos. Sync deals can pay well for a cheeky track used in a commercial or a comedy scene.

Simple plan: register your songs with a PRO, upload lyrics and metadata to your distributor, and consider registering the composition with a copyright office in your country if you want extra legal protection. If you are working with collaborators split the publishing percentages up front and document the split in writing. Trust me you will thank yourself when the song unexpectedly blows up on a meme.

How to modernize hokum without losing its soul

Keep the mischief but update the references. Swap tobacco and juke joint motifs for dating apps, delivery drivers, and roommate drama. Use contemporary slang sparingly and with taste. A classic comedic image sits better with a single modern prop than an entire verse of current memes that age badly.

Real life scenario: Instead of referencing a phonograph in every verse, mention the algorithm once to ground the song in now and then center the joke on a timeless human action like lying about laundry or stealing fries. That gives you both flavor and longevity.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• Too many jokes. Fix by picking one strong gag and building around it. If every line is trying to be funny you will wear listeners out.
• Vague setup. Fix by adding a concrete object or time crumb. People laugh at specific images more than at ideas.
• Overly crude language. Fix by finding a clever euphemism or a witty image. Subtlety often lands bigger than bluntness.
• Weak melody. Fix by making the chorus singable and raising the melodic range slightly on the payoff line.
• Forgetting the persona. Fix by committing to a speaker voice and keeping all details consistent with that character.

Example hokum song template you can steal

Title: [Short cheeky phrase with double meaning]

Intro: Two bar musical tag. Could be a finger snap, a kazoo lick, or a spoken line that becomes the hook later.

Verse 1: Two or four lines. Concrete setting. Introduce the object or situation.

Pre Chorus: One or two lines. Tighten rhythm. Point at the joke without revealing it.

Chorus: Three lines max. Deliver the payoff. Repeat the title at the end as a ring phrase.

Verse 2: Add a small escalation. Change the object or show consequences.

Bridge: Spoken aside or a mock interview line. Flip the perspective briefly.

Final Chorus: Repeat chorus with an extra ad lib line or an audience clap to sell the moment.

Performance and recording checklist

1. Make sure the vocal is clear in the mix. The joke dies if you cannot hear the last word.
2. Test comedic timing live. Record audience reaction and adjust the pause lengths.
3. Add a signature sound or syllable that people can imitate on social apps.
4. Keep track of publishing splits and register the song before pitching for sync.
5. Film at least one performance video that captures the persona. Visual humor multiplies the song impact.

How to test hokum without burning bridges

Hokum can be risky if it offends the wrong crowd. Test songs in safe spaces first. Play the track for friends who will tell you the truth and for at least one person who will represent your target listener. Note who laughs and where they laugh. If a line consistently gets silence or confusion rewrite it. If a line triggers an unexpected negative reaction consider whether the joke punches up or punches down. Good hokum punches up at shared human foibles and not at marginalized groups.

Action plan you can use today

1. Write one sentence that states the core joke in plain speech. Make it a title candidate.
2. Use the Object Confessional exercise for ten minutes and pick your favorite image.
3. Map the song with the template provided. Keep the chorus to three lines.
4. Record a simple two instrument demo. Keep vocals clear and upfront.
5. Play it for five people. Ask them which exact word made them laugh and how long it took to land.
6. Polish timing based on feedback and register the song with a PRO if you plan to release it.

Hokum Songwriting FAQ

What if my hokum song offends someone

Hokum uses innuendo and comedic framing. Avoid punching down at vulnerable groups. Test songs with a diverse set of listeners before release. If a line causes harm consider replacing it with an equally sharp but less targeted image. Aim for mischief that invites people in rather than pushes them away.

Can hokum become a career or is it just a novelty

Hokum can be a gateway. Many novelty tracks build audiences quickly. Use the attention to showcase other work. If you consistently deliver clever, high quality hokum you can develop a brand identity that sustains a career. Diversify your catalog so listeners who love the jokes also find songs with deeper emotional or musical content.

How explicit can I be and still get radio play

Radio standards vary by market. If you want broad broadcast play keep explicit language out of the chorus. Use double entendre instead of explicit words. For streaming and social platform virality explicit content can work but long term value often comes from lines people can sing in family situations as well as in bars.

How do I pitch a hokum song for sync in ads and shows

Highlight the mood, the hook, and the potential placement. Sync supervisors like tracks that deliver a quick visual mood. Provide a short synopsis and one line that explains the hook. Offer instrumental stems and a vocal free version for licensing. Keep metadata tight and list potential uses like commercial, film comedy scene, or sitcom cold open.

What is a good vocal take style for hokum

Clear, confident, and a little theatrical. Speak to an individual listener rather than to an arena. Add playful inflections on punchlines and keep ad libs minimal but charming. Record multiple passes with different timing and delivery. The takes that feel slightly off in the booth often land big in front of an audience because of their spontaneity.

Can I write hokum in other genres like R and B or indie rock

Yes. Hokum is a lyrical approach, not a musical prison. R and B means rhythm and blues. If you write hokum R and B you will use smooth grooves and intimate production. Indie rock hokum can be rawer and ironic. Adapt musical language to support the persona. Make sure the groove helps the joke rather than distracts from it.

Get Contact Details of Music Industry Gatekeepers

Looking for an A&R, Manager or Record Label to skyrocket your music career?

Don’t wait to be discovered, take full control of your music career. Get access to the contact details of the gatekeepers of the music industry. We're talking email addresses, contact numbers, social media...

Packed with contact details for over 3,000 of the top Music Managers, A&Rs, Booking Agents & Record Label Executives.

Get exclusive access today, take control of your music journey and skyrocket your music career.

Unlock Instant Access