Songwriting Advice
Write Lyrics For Me
Want someone to actually write lyrics for you without sounding like your high school English teacher or a chatbot that discovered feelings last week? Good. You are in the right place. This guide tells you exactly how to ask for lyrics, what to give your writer, how to edit like a pro, and how to protect your songs. We include real templates you can copy and paste, bite size prompts for social media, and examples that sound human and memorable. No fluff. No corporate PR talk. Just the fast route from idea to fire line.
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Quick Links to Useful Sections
- What Does Write Lyrics For Me Mean
- Who Writes Lyrics For You
- Professional lyric writers
- Co writers and collaborators
- Producers and topliners
- AI lyric assistants
- Why Hire Someone To Write Lyrics
- What To Include When You Say Write Lyrics For Me
- 1. The core idea
- 2. Title or working title
- 3. Genre and reference songs
- 4. Target audience and use
- 5. Tempo and key or vocal range
- 6. Form and length
- 7. Specific lines or words to include or avoid
- 8. Delivery and vibe notes
- 9. Rights and credits
- Real World Scenarios
- Scenario 1 Studio panic at midnight
- Scenario 2 DM to a writer
- Scenario 3 Social media collaboration
- Prompt Templates You Can Copy
- Template A Quick Chorus Request
- Template B Full Song Brief
- Template C TikTok Hook
- How Writers Will Deliver Lyrics
- Editing The Draft Like a Boss
- Step 1. Read out loud
- Step 2. Prosody check
- Step 3. Concrete detail pass
- Step 4. Memory hooks
- Step 5. Credit and paperwork
- Tips For Using AI As Your Lyric Assistant
- Prosody and Singability Explained
- Rhyme And Rhyme Families
- Legal Stuff You Must Know
- Split sheets
- Publishing and performing rights
- Work for hire and buyouts
- Examples You Can Use Right Now
- Chorus Seed 1 Pop Breakup
- Chorus Seed 2 R B Intimate
- Chorus Seed 3 Dance Pop Hook
- How To Pay For Lyrics
- How To Keep Your Voice Authentic When Someone Writes For You
- Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
- Asking for everything and giving nothing
- Ignoring vocal range
- Not agreeing credits early
- How To Test A Chorus Quickly
- Working With Producers And Topliners
- Action Plan: How To Get Lyrics Written This Week
- Lyric Writing FAQ
This article is for artists and songwriters who want usable lyric drafts, whether you are hiring someone to write, co writing with a producer, or using AI as a sketching partner. We will explain every term so you never feel dumb in a room with a producer and a latte. We will also include real world scenarios where these templates actually work in the studio, at a gig, or in a frantic DM at 2 a.m.
What Does Write Lyrics For Me Mean
When someone says write lyrics for me they mean they want a set of words that fit a song idea. That can range from a one line hook to a full set of verses, chorus, bridge, and optional ad libs. You might want a specific mood, a rhyme pattern, or a part that fits an existing melody. The job of the lyric writer is to translate your brief into singable lines that match the melody, rhythm, and emotional intent.
There are three common levels of lyric delivery
- Idea sketch A handful of lines, a title, and a chorus seed. Use this to spark a writing session.
- Full draft Verse, pre chorus, chorus, verse two, bridge, and optional post chorus. Ready for a topline demo or a recording session.
- Refined draft Polished lyrics with prosody checks and performance suggestions. Ready for studio vocals and metadata submission.
Who Writes Lyrics For You
Options vary and each has trade offs.
Professional lyric writers
These are people who write lyrics for money and credits. They understand form, prosody, and genre conventions. They are worth paying when you need a polished draft fast.
Co writers and collaborators
Co writing means you work together in a session. This is great if you have a melody, a vibe, or a story to protect. The best co write sessions are quick and honest.
Producers and topliners
Topline is an industry term that means the melody and lead vocal lyrics. A topliner might deliver both the tune and the words. Producers often collaborate with topliners to fit the arrangement.
AI lyric assistants
AI can draft lyric ideas and alternate lines fast. Use AI to break creative blocks or to generate many options. Always edit heavily to keep authenticity.
Why Hire Someone To Write Lyrics
- Speed You get usable drafts faster than you can pound Red Bull and stare at the ceiling.
- Perspective A writer sees the song through another listener and can find hooks you missed.
- Craft Writers bring structure, rhyme craft, and prosody skills so lines sit right on the beat.
- Deadline If a project needs words by Tuesday and you have meetings on Tuesday, hire help.
What To Include When You Say Write Lyrics For Me
Clear briefs speed everything up. This is what to include before you ask someone to write lyrics for you. Imagine you are texting a friend but this friend will invoice you later.
1. The core idea
One sentence that summarizes the emotional promise. Example text to copy. I want a breakup revenge anthem that is sassy and slightly cruel. Or I need a small intimate love song about being home after touring. Keep it short and human.
2. Title or working title
If you have a title include it. If not ask the writer to suggest five options. Titles matter because they often contain the hook that listeners will remember.
3. Genre and reference songs
List the genre and two to three reference songs that capture mood. A reference song tells a writer tempo, instrumentation, and vocal energy. Example. Imagine a blend of Billie Eilish minimalism and Olivia Rodrigo rawness. Or think Dua Lipa disco glue with a modern pop polish.
4. Target audience and use
Say if the song is for radio, TikTok, a TV sync, or an indie release. For TikTok mention the duration and the moment you plan to clip. Writers craft different hooks depending on where the track will live.
5. Tempo and key or vocal range
Give tempo in beats per minute if you know it. Give the voice range or the lowest and highest notes the singer wants. If you do not know these details say so. The writer can keep the lines flexible for different notes.
6. Form and length
Say if you want a short version for social platforms or a full length pop song with bridge. Example. Please write a short version with two verses and a chorus for TikTok that loops at 45 seconds. Or write a full four minute structure with a bridge and final chorus with additional ad libs.
7. Specific lines or words to include or avoid
Tell the writer any must have lines, phrases, or brand mentions. Also say words you hate or that feel cringe for your audience. Example. Include the phrase keep the lights on. Avoid the word forever.
8. Delivery and vibe notes
Is the vocal intimate like journal reading, or theatrical like musical theater. Say whether the lyric should be explicit. Also give examples of performance touches you want, like spoken lines, falsetto cues, or call and response parts.
9. Rights and credits
Agree on credits and ownership upfront. If you want full ownership, say buyout. If you will split writing credits agree on a split. This prevents messy fights later on when royalties start showing up.
Real World Scenarios
Scenario 1 Studio panic at midnight
You are in the booth at 11 p.m. The beat is perfect and the producer says we need lyrics now. Use this template in your phone. I need a sassy pop chorus about walking out and feeling free. Tempo 100. 8 bar chorus. Keep it simple and repeatable for a crowd. Include a ring phrase for the end of the chorus. This gets a writer a usable chorus in under an hour so you can track before sunrise.
Scenario 2 DM to a writer
Sliding into a writer DM is an art. Keep it short and show respect. Example DM. Hi I love your stuff. Would you write lyrics for a gritty R B ballad about choosing yourself over someone else. I can pay and can do 50 50 credits. Can send a short instrumental or voice memo. Thanks for considering. That sets tone and makes it easy for the writer to say yes or ask for more info.
Scenario 3 Social media collaboration
You want a 30 second hook for TikTok. Post a one line prompt with a beat clip. Writers and fans will submit chorus ideas as comments. Pick the best and pay or credit the creator. This approach builds buzz and yields multiple options to try in the studio.
Prompt Templates You Can Copy
Copy these when texting a writer or dropping a brief in a job post.
Template A Quick Chorus Request
Write a chorus for a pop song about finally leaving a relationship. Hook should be two lines repeated. Keep language simple and slightly sarcastic. Tempo 105. Chorus 8 bars. Must include the phrase I am done. Avoid the word breakup.
Template B Full Song Brief
Write a full lyric draft for an indie pop track. Theme is late night city loneliness that turns to hope. Reference songs include Phoebe Bridgers motion and Lorde green light. Target voice range from A3 to C5. Structure. Verse one, pre chorus, chorus, verse two, pre chorus, chorus, bridge, final chorus. Keep imagery specific. Include a time crumb like three a.m. or Tuesday night. Please suggest five title options.
Template C TikTok Hook
Write a 15 to 30 second hook for a dance trend. Theme is fake smiling at a party then leaving early. Use slang sparingly. Make it chantable and easy to lip sync. Repeatable phrase that can be looped in eight seconds.
How Writers Will Deliver Lyrics
A professional writer will usually provide a few things
- Lyric document with section labels
- Alternate lines for key moments so you can choose what fits the melody
- Prosody notes that explain stress and suggested syllable counts
- Performance notes such as where to breathe and which words to stretch
Ask for a demo topline if you need melody help. Some writers will sing or hum suggestions. This is especially useful if you are not giving a finished instrumental.
Editing The Draft Like a Boss
When the writer returns a draft your job is to shape it toward your voice. Here is a fast edit checklist.
Step 1. Read out loud
Speak every line at natural speed. Does any word feel heavy or awkward? Circle those lines and rewrite for flow.
Step 2. Prosody check
Prosody means matching word stress to musical stress. Clap the rhythm and say the line. If the natural stress falls between beats the line will fight the music. Either change the line or adjust the melody to fit.
Step 3. Concrete detail pass
Swap vague language for tangible detail. Replace I feel sad with The neon sign flickers like the thought of you. Details sell emotion faster than moralizing lines.
Step 4. Memory hooks
Look for a ring phrase or a repeated chunk that listeners can sing back after one listen. If there is none make one and test it on a friend.
Step 5. Credit and paperwork
Before you record decide credits. If a writer gave most of the chorus they deserve a writing credit. Agree on split and put it in email so your publisher or performing rights organization sees it later.
Tips For Using AI As Your Lyric Assistant
AI can be brilliant at producing options. Use it as a brainstorming engine not a final product. Treat AI lines like raw dough that needs kneading.
- Start with a tiny prompt. Ask for five hooks not fifty verses.
- Use AI to create alternative wording for a sticky line. Ask for five variations that rhyme with last line.
- Never submit AI only lyrics to a commercial release without editing heavily. They can sound generic or produce odd cultural errors.
- Mark which lines came from AI and which came from humans if you plan splits. Some publishers require clarity on creation method.
Prosody and Singability Explained
Prosody again because it matters more than your outerwear brand. Prosody is the fit between lyrics and melody. A good line sits on the beat and feels natural to sing. A bad line makes the singer push or pull words to make them work. That creates tension and ruins takes.
Quick prosody rules
- Short stressed syllables land on downbeats
- Long vowels work on sustained notes
- Contractions can save breath and feel natural
- Repeat or elongate vowels for singalong impact
Rhyme And Rhyme Families
Rhyme can be exact like cat fat or looser like taste and faith. Modern lyrics often use a mix. Use exact rhymes sparingly at emotional turns. Use family rhymes for shade and movement.
Example rhyme family for the sound ay
- play
- day
- stay
- pay
Keep internal rhyme and consonance to add flow without sounding like a nursery rhyme.
Legal Stuff You Must Know
Music law is boring until someone cashes a check and you did not get credit. Here are the essentials.
Split sheets
A split sheet is a document that lists writers and the percentage of ownership for a song. Always fill one out as soon as you decide splits. It does not need to be fancy. Email to each writer works. If later you need to register with a performing rights organization which collects performance royalties they will ask for splits.
Publishing and performing rights
Two big terms. Publishing refers to the ownership of the composition meaning lyrics and melody. Performance royalties are collected when the song is played on radio live TV or streaming services. These are handled by performing rights organizations or PROs. Examples of PROs include ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the United States. If a song earns money the writers and publishers need to be registered so they get paid.
Work for hire and buyouts
If you ask someone to write lyrics for you and you want full ownership with no future claims you must agree to a buyout. A buyout is payment in exchange for giving up a portion or all of future rights. This must be written as a contract. If you do not sign a buyout the writer retains a share and will collect writer royalties.
Examples You Can Use Right Now
Here are three complete chorus seeds you can paste into a brief or test with a topliner.
Chorus Seed 1 Pop Breakup
I am done I am done I leave my number on read. Smile in the mirror like a crown on my head. Walk out the door and the city feels new. I am done with the echo of you.
Chorus Seed 2 R B Intimate
Hold me like you mean it for tonight only. Light up the dark where my edges used to hide. Whisper my name like a truth not a story. Stay for the moment then go if you have to fly.
Chorus Seed 3 Dance Pop Hook
Fake smile and clap to the beat. We pretend we do not need sleep. Two steps closer then two steps away. Dance like the morning will never replay.
How To Pay For Lyrics
Pricing varies with experience and demand. Typical models
- Per song Flat fee for a chorus or full draft
- Per hour Good for co write sessions
- Split on royalties The writer gets a percent of future income
- Buyout One time payment for all rights
Be explicit. If you expect a writer to give up future earnings say so in the brief and budget accordingly. If you are low on cash offer a reasonable split instead. Most experienced writers will take either money up front or a split. Respect the craft and negotiate fairly.
How To Keep Your Voice Authentic When Someone Writes For You
Even when you hire a writer you must keep the song true to you. Use these techniques.
- Record a voice memo of you describing the feeling in your own words
- Give the writer two lines you love so they anchor the draft
- Ask for variations that sound closer to your spoken style
- Make a list of words you use often and words you never use
- Approve the title and ring phrase before moving to recording
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Asking for everything and giving nothing
A brief with no direction forces the writer to guess. Spend ten minutes writing the core idea and that will save hours.
Ignoring vocal range
If you ask for lines that sit way above the singer the performance will suffer. Always include range or tell the writer the singer will adapt.
Not agreeing credits early
Credits drive income forever. Decide splits or buyouts before you record the final vocal. Simple email confirmation prevents fights later.
How To Test A Chorus Quickly
- Hum or sing the chorus over the instrumental loop
- Record a rough demo on your phone
- Play to two friends who do not work in music and ask what line they remember
- If nobody remembers a line rewrite the chorus with a stronger ring phrase
Working With Producers And Topliners
Producers and topliners are often your partners in finishing a song. Respect the chain of work.
- Hand them a clear brief not a vague mood word cloud
- Ask for demos with temporary vocals so you can feel placement
- Allow space for improvisation during tracking because the best lines can appear in the booth
Action Plan: How To Get Lyrics Written This Week
- Write one clear sentence that states the emotional promise for the song
- Pick a target platform and audience for the song
- Use one of the brief templates above and fill in specifics
- Contact a writer or post the job with your brief and a pay range
- Request a chorus within 48 hours and a full draft in one week
- Do the prosody and memory hook checks from the edit checklist
- Agree credits and sign a split sheet before recording the final vocal
Lyric Writing FAQ
Can I hire someone to write lyrics and still claim credit
Yes if you negotiated it. If the writer agrees to a buyout you can claim full credit. If you used a co writer you must give writing credit based on your agreement. Honesty on this preserves friendships and prevents legal trouble when money appears.
How long does it take to get a usable chorus
A professional writer can deliver a usable chorus in a few hours. If you want multiple variations it might take a day. Allow extra time if you need the writer to match an existing melody or create complex rhyme schemes.
Do writers need the instrumental to write lyrics
Not always. Writers can write to a mood, tempo, or topline. However lyrics generally fit best when the writer can hear the rhythmic space. If you do not have an instrumental send a short click track or tell the writer the time signature and tempo.
What if I hate the first draft
Ask for revisions politely and be specific. Point to lines you like and lines you do not. Give examples of alternate phrasing. Most writers expect to do rewrites so long as the requests are reasonable.
How do I credit a writer who gave only one great line
Credits should reflect contribution. If a line is central to the chorus it is usually worth a writing credit. Talk honestly and offer a small split. The music industry often gives partial credit even for single impactful lines.