24 - This is the process I use to write lyrics for my songs
Discover a step-by-step process for writing impactful song lyrics. From brainstorming concepts to crafting vivid settings and structuring verses, this episode offers insights into the art of songwriting. Perfect for musicians and creatives.
This Is the Process I Use to Write Lyrics for My Songs
Welcome to another episode of Pattern Cognition with Sid Mofya, where we explore creativity, leadership, and innovation in bite-sized wisdom. Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite creative processes: writing lyrics. Songwriting is a deeply personal art form, but it also involves structure, intention, and craft. Let me take you through my process for crafting meaningful lyrics.
Step 1: Starting with a Concept
Every song begins with an idea—a concept drawn from personal experiences or emotions I’m processing. This foundational idea is the seed for everything else. It helps set the tone, direction, and emotional core of the song.
Step 2: Building a Setting
Once I have a concept, I think about the setting for the song. For example, if the idea revolves around a forest, I brainstorm related words: trees, shadows, paths, whispers. This process creates an internal consistency that ties the lyrics together, immersing the listener in the song’s world.
Step 3: Structuring the Song
I follow a fairly standard song structure to meet listener expectations:
Verse
Pre-chorus
Chorus (repeated for emphasis)
Bridge (a shift in energy or perspective)
Final Chorus
This structure is adaptable but serves as a reliable framework to support lyrical storytelling.
Step 4: Writing the Chorus First
The chorus is the heart of the song—the main message that ties everything together. I always start here to ensure that the core idea is captured and resonates. Once the chorus is solid, I build the verses around it to provide depth and context.
Step 5: Crafting the Sections
With the framework in place, I begin filling in the verses, pre-chorus, and bridge. Each section has a role:
Verses expand the story.
Pre-chorus builds anticipation.
Bridge shifts the energy, offering contrast or a fresh perspective.
Why This Matters
Songwriting is more than putting words to music. It’s about storytelling, emotion, and connection. By crafting lyrics intentionally, you can create songs that resonate deeply with listeners. Whether you’re an aspiring songwriter or simply curious about the process, this episode offers a glimpse into the creative art of writing lyrics.
Key Takeaways:
Start with a concept: Let your life experiences inspire your lyrics.
Set the scene: Use related words to create a vivid and cohesive setting.
Structure with intention: Follow a framework that supports your story.
Chorus first: Define your song’s core message before building verses.
Take a listen to this episode and uncover how great lyrics come to life. Whether you’re a musician or a creative soul, this process offers insights to elevate your craft.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to My Lyric Writing Process
00:05 Conceptualizing the Song
00:28 Building the Song Structure
01:03 Writing the Lyrics
Links:
Website: https://www.sidmofya.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidmofya/
Transcript:
Writing lyrics is my favorite part of songwriting and here's my process. I usually have a concept, an idea that I'm working with, that I'm playing with in my head and that's usually drawn from, from my life and encapsulate that into something that I can, that I can play with, that I can work with. Once I've done that, I then create a series of words that are related.
So I might be thinking about a setting. So I might say, um, the setting is a forest. And I think about Words that go with the forest because what that does it It gives an integrity to the whole song and when the words kind of bring you back to the same setting And i'll come up with a lot of words to do with that concept and then i'll start crafting the sections of the song And I usually go for a very standard set of sections.
So there's a there's a verse There's a pre chorus in the chorus And then there's a second verse, pre chorus, chorus, and then there's a bridge, which completely changes the energy, and then a final chorus. Um, that stays pretty constant, because it's kind of what listeners [00:01:00] expect, and I usually don't mess with that unless the song calls for it.
Um, and then I start writing the lyrics in each of these sections. I usually start with the chorus, because that's the main message, and make sure I capture the essence of what we're trying to say in the chorus, and then go back and build the verses.