How to Write Son Lyrics

You want lyrics that hit like a truth bomb and stick like gum on a sneaker. You want lines people text back to each other the second a song drops. You want words that make you wince, laugh, cry, or fist pump in the shower. This guide gives you a brutal friendly workflow to write lyrics that sound professional and feel personal.

Everything here is written for busy artists who want fast results. Expect actionable workflows, timed drills, and easy rules you can break on purpose. You will learn idea selection, title craft, prosody, rhyme choices, verse construction, hooks, chorus architecture, micro edits, collaboration sanity rules, demo tips, placement basics, and a finish plan you can use today.

Why Lyrics Matter Even in a Beat Driven World

Yes producers can sell a song with a loop and a tag. Still lyrics are the human hand in the record. Lyrics translate mood into language. Lyrics give fans lines to tattoo and text at 2 AM. A hook without words is cool. A hook with a line that becomes an attitude is a hit. Good lyrics tell a clear emotional story while giving singers a sonic place to shine.

Translation into real life. Think about your last song that stung you. The music made you move. The words made you tell a friend. That is lyric power.

Start With One Clear Promise

Before any rhyme, write one sentence that states the emotional promise of the song. Call it the core promise. Say it like you are texting your best friend about a messy date or a life win. No poetic shrapnel. No exposition. One line.

Examples

• I will not call you after midnight anymore.
• Tonight I am learning how to be myself in crowded rooms.
• My hometown smells like coffee and missed chances.

Turn that sentence into a one to three word title if possible. Short titles are easier to sing and easier to remember. If the title cannot be short without sounding fake then keep it longer but make sure it is easy to say.

Common Song Structures That Work

Structure helps you land emotions in digestible chunks. Here are three reliable forms you can adapt quickly.

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

This gives you space to build a problem and then resolve it. The pre chorus exists to increase pressure. Use it to hint at the chorus without spelling it out.

Structure B: Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Post Chorus Bridge Chorus

This hits the hook early. Use the post chorus to repeat a tiny ear worm that keeps the song moving and makes a club friendly moment.

Structure C: Intro Hook Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Middle Eight Final Chorus

Start with a hooky vocal or instrumental tag. The middle eight gives new color. Keep it short and specific so the return to chorus feels earned.

Title Craft That Actually Helps the Song

Your title should be singable and true to the core promise. Avoid generic titles unless the rest of the lyric is very specific. Test the title by texting it to a friend. If they read it and have a reaction you like then you are on the right track.

Title exercises

• Write your title. Then write five shorter alternatives. Pick the one that sits best on the mouth when you sing it.
• Try saying the title in conversation speed. If it sounds weird then fix it before you write the chorus.

Hook First or Lyrics First

There is no moral here. Some writers chase a beat and then write words. Others write a poem and set it to music. My recommendation. Find a tiny melodic gesture or a lyrical line that you can repeat. That repeatable thing becomes your structural anchor. It is easier to make everything else support one kernel than to make a kernel support everything else.

Real life scenario. You are on a bus and you hum a line that makes the ride feel cinematic. Record it. The words can follow. Later that hum can be the chorus melody and the first line you land on.

Topline Method That Actually Works

Topline is a term that means the main vocal melody and the sung lyrics. If you are writing a topline you are responsible for the melody and the lyrical hook. Here is a fast method.

1. Vowel pass. Sing on vowels over a loop. Do not think about words. Record two minutes. Mark the moments you want to repeat.
2. Rhythm map. Clap the rhythm of the best moments. Count syllables on strong beats. This is your syllable grid.
3. Title anchor. Place the title on the most singable note in the hook. Surround it with lead in words that do not steal the spotlight.
4. Prosody check. Speak the lines at normal speed. Circle stressed syllables. Align those stresses with strong musical beats.

Prosody Explained with a Street Example

Prosody means matching the natural stress of words with the stresses in music. If you sing a strong word on a weak beat the ear will notice a mismatch. It feels like someone walking off beat in a dance battle.

Example. The sentence I love you reads with stress on love. If your melody puts love on a short fast note and you hold the weak word instead then the phrase will feel wrong. Say it aloud and then sing it. If speaking and singing do not line up then change the music or change the words.

Rhyme Choices That Sound Modern

Rhyme is a tool. Do not be a slave to it. Modern songs mix perfect rhymes with near rhymes and internal rhymes to sound natural. Perfect rhyme is exact like love and dove. Near rhyme uses similar sound families like love and enough. Internal rhyme places rhymes inside a line which creates momentum.

Examples

• Perfect rhyme: night light fight
• Near rhyme family: time, tight, try me
• Internal rhyme: I keep the keys in my jeans and my dreams

Write Verses That Show Not Tell

Verses are camera work. Each verse should add a small image that moves the story. Use objects, small actions, and time crumbs. If a line could be on a motivational poster then rewrite it. Replace abstractions with specific scenes.

Before. I feel lonely after you left.

After. The spare mug still sits in the sink and the TV remembers your laugh.

The after line does the heavy lifting. A listener infers loneliness without you saying the word. That is songwriting sorcery.

Pre Chorus as a Ramp

The pre chorus is a ramp of expectation. It should build energy and point at the chorus title. Use shorter words and a tighter melodic rhythm. Think of it like the climb before the chorus jump.

Real life. Imagine you are telling someone a secret. The pre chorus is the breath you take before you say the secret. It tightens focus.

Chorus Crafting: Keep It Small and True

The chorus states the emotional promise. Keep it short. Aim for one to three lines that are easy to repeat. Put the title on a long note or on a strong beat so it sticks. Use open vowels like ah oh and ay on high notes. They are easier to sing and more satisfying live.

Chorus recipe

1. State the promise in plain language.
2. Repeat or paraphrase once.
3. Add a twist in the final line to keep the ear interested.

Post Chorus and Ear Worms

A post chorus is a short repeated melodic phrase that follows the chorus and functions like a sonic logo. It can be one word, a small chant, or a melodic tag. Use it when the chorus is dense or when you want a repeating catch that works in clubs and playlists.

Melody Tips That Save Hours

• Range. Put the chorus a third higher than the verse when possible. Small lift large feeling.
• Leap then step. Jump into the chorus title with a leap and then move stepwise. The ear loves a leap followed by steps.
• Rhythmic contrast. If the verse is busy leave the chorus sparser. If the verse is minimal let the chorus groove more.

Micros Edits That Make Lines Sing

Here is a micro edit checklist you can run on every lyric line.

1. Underline the abstract words. Replace each with a concrete detail.
2. Check for stressed syllable alignment. If a strong word falls on a weak beat fix it.
3. Remove throat clearing. If a line explains mood rather than showing it then cut it or rewrite it with a single image.
4. Swap being verbs for action verbs where possible.

Before and After Examples You Can Steal

Theme I am done with the past.

Before I am over you and I do not want to think about it.

After I stop passing your street and the neon still blinks like you are late for something.

Theme I am falling in love slowly.

Before I am starting to fall for you slowly.

After you steal fries off my plate and I let you because I do not mind losing them to you.

Lyric Devices That Punch Above Their Weight

Ring Phrase

Repeat a short title phrase at the start and end of the chorus to give the hook a circular feel. Example I will wait. I will wait.

List Escalation

Use three items that build in intensity. Example I kept the receipt, kept the letter, kept the key.

Callback

Return to a line from verse one in verse two with one word changed. Listeners feel the story moving without heavy handed explanation.

Writing Drills to Get Unstuck

Timed drills create momentum and force risk. Set a timer and do the exercises below.

• Object drill. Pick one object near you. Write four lines where the object appears and acts. Ten minutes.
• Time stamp drill. Write a chorus that includes a specific time and place. Five minutes.
• Dialogue drill. Write two lines as if answering a text. Keep punctuation natural. Five minutes.
• Vowel pass. Sing nonsense on vowels over a loop for two minutes. Mark repeats. Ten minutes.

Words to Avoid Early On

These words are safe to use later if you are clever with them. Early they tend to be lazy and vague.

• Heart
• Love
• Betray
• Forever
• Always

Instead of heart try the lighter safer concrete like the ring in the drawer or the coffee stain on your jacket. Give the listener a visible place to stand.

Working With Producers and Cowriters

Know these terms and why they matter. Publishing refers to the ownership of the song as a composition. Master refers to the recording. Co write means you split songwriting credits with another writer. Split deals can be equal or weighted based on contribution. If you are nervous keep it simple. Discuss splits up front. Make a memo to agree on splits before the session ends. Use a short email or text that reads like this I am happy to split the song into three parts. You get one third each. If someone is bringing the beat they might ask for a different split. If you feel weird about that negotiate it then and there so there is no drama later.

Real life scenario. You are in a session and a producer plays a beat and hums a melody. You suggest a lyric line that becomes the chorus. Agree on splits before demo files get sent out. Trust but document.

Demoing Your Song Without Losing Magic

A good demo conveys the topline and the key production ideas without needing a full studio budget. Keep the demo direct and free of clutter. Here is a minimal demo checklist.

1. Vocals clear. Record a clean lead vocal and one harmony or double for the chorus.
2. Simple arrangement. Use two to three instruments to support the vocal. Too much can hide lyrical choices.
3. Mark the hook. Make the chorus arrival obvious within the first minute.
4. Include a lyric sheet. Send a clear document with verses and chorus lines as you sang them.

Placement Basics

If you want your lyrics to get used in media like TV shows or ads you must write with clarity. Music supervisors want simple emotional moments that underline a scene. Avoid lyrics that are too specific about brand names or dated tech. Use emotional verbs and specific images not brand shoutouts.

Example. For a breakup scene write a line about the apartment lights staying on. That works visually and emotionally. A line about a specific phone model will date the song and annoy the supervisor.

Common Lyric Mistakes and How to Fix Them

• Too many ideas. Pick one core promise and make each line orbit that promise.
• Vague language. Replace abstractions with touchable objects and actions.
• Chorus that does not lift. Raise range, simplify words, lengthen the title note.
• Overwriting. Remove any line that repeats information without adding a new angle.
• Bad prosody. Speak lines out loud and realign stress with beats.

Polish Passes That Change Everything

After your draft sits for at least a day go back and run these passes.

1. Crime scene edit. Remove every sentence that explains rather than shows.
2. Sound check. Sing the song with the final intended tempo. Change words that feel awkward in the mouth.
3. Audience test. Play the chorus for three people without context and ask what line stuck. If they struggle to remember anything then tighten the chorus.
4. One last change rule. Make only one meaningful change at a time and then live with it for a day. Small iterative tweaks beat large rewrites late in the game.

Examples You Can Model

Theme leaving a toxic relationship.

Verse 1 The coffee mug still sits on your side like a little question I do not answer. The balcony plant leans toward the glass like it remembers sun.

Pre chorus I clear the sink and do not wait for a call that never comes.

Chorus I let the phone die on the kitchen counter and I do not run back for it. I do not run back for it. I do not run back for it.

Theme a small joy found on a bad day.

Verse 1 I find a note in my jacket from last winter that says meet me under the lights. I laugh and keep walking because the lights are already on.

Chorus The city smells like hot sugar and second chances and I buy a coffee for the stranger who looks tired like me.

How to Finish a Song Fast

1. Lock the title and core promise. Write them at the top of your lyric document.
2. Pick a structure from this guide and map sections with rough times.
3. Do a fast vowel pass for melody and mark the two best gestures.
4. Place the title on the best gesture and build a short chorus around it.
5. Draft two verses with clear objects and actions and one pre chorus that points to the hook.
6. Record a basic demo. Ask three people what line stuck. Make one fix and finalize the demo.

Prompts to Get You Started Right Now

• Write a chorus that includes a time like eight PM and a place like the bridge.
• Write a verse where every line includes one small object like a key, a mug, or a phone.
• Write a pre chorus that rises in rhythm and ends on an incomplete thought.

Vocabulary You Should Know

• Topline The sung melody and the lyrics combined.
• Prosody The match between word stress and musical stress.
• BPM Beats per minute. This tells you the tempo of the song.
• Demo A rough recording that shows the idea of the song.
• Publishing Ownership of the song composition which is separate from the recording rights.

Real World Writing Scenarios

Scenario one You have a beat and a title. You are short on time. Do a ten minute vowel pass and find two gestures. Place the title and write a short chorus. Then write one verse with an object and a time. Demonstrate the chorus and verse to the producer and agree on a split before you leave the room.

Scenario two You have a poem with great lines but no melody. Read the poem aloud and mark stresses. Pick lines that can be compressed into chorus sized chunks. Do a slow topline practice singing on vowels until you find a repeating phrase. Rewrite the poem lines to fit the new rhythm. Record a short demo and test the hook on three people.

Songwriting Exercises to Keep You Sharp

The Title Ladder

Write your title and then write five alternate titles that mean the same thing with fewer words or stronger vowels. Sing each one and pick the best sounding option.

The Camera Pass

Read your verse and write the camera shot for each line. If you cannot see a shot then rewrite the line with a concrete object and an action.

The Contrast Swap

Choose three ways your chorus can differ from your verse. Dynamics, vocal range, and lyric density are good levers. Implement all three and then listen for which one makes the biggest improvement.

Pop vs Indie vs Rap Lyric Approaches

Different genres need different lyric strategies. Pop likes clear short hooks and big singable vowels. Indie rewards weird specifics and odd turns of phrase. Rap prioritizes rhythm and internal rhyme more than sustained melodic vowels. Choose the tools that match your genre while keeping the core promise clear.

FAQ

How do I start a song when I have no idea

Start with a one sentence core promise. Use a tiny concrete image. Do a five minute object drill. Sing on vowels over a simple loop. Record whatever sounds good even if it is nonsense. You can always shape nonsense into something smart during the next pass.

Does perfect rhyme matter

No. Perfect rhyme can sound forced if used exclusively. Mix perfect rhyme with near rhyme and internal rhymes to keep language natural. Use a perfect rhyme on the emotional turn for extra emphasis.

How long should a chorus be

One to three lines is ideal. Keep it tight. If you need more space for a story line then use a post chorus or a bridge to expand. The chorus must be repeatable and easy to remember.

How do I avoid sounding cheesy

Be specific. Use small objects and time crumbs. Avoid overused words early on. If a line feels like a meme then tighten it or replace it with a small concrete image. If you want to be dramatic do it with an exact detail not a sweeping abstraction.

When should I get a writer credit

If you contribute melody or lyric you deserve at least some credit. If someone suggests a tiny change that changes the chorus you should discuss credit. The easiest way to avoid fights is to agree on splits right after the session while the energy is fresh.