Lyric Writing Lessons

Lyric Writing Lessons - Lyric Writing Inspiration

Channeling Inspiration to Write Lyrics for Your Songs
"Get your creative juices flowing."

Learn where inspiration comes from and how you can use it to write your lyrics for your songs.

What's Lyric Writing Inspiration?

The following definition may sound a little weird at first, but give it time to sink in:

We never think of inspiration in this way, so we say things like “I’m happy”, instead of “I’m inspired with happiness”...or "I'm lonely", instead of "I'm inspired with loneliness".

"No songwriter is an island unto himself/herself." We don't create emotion...we draw it in.

But if inspiration is 'drawing in emotion', what's emotion?

Every emotion we have is triggered by something...a cause or a spark.

So we can apply these concepts to songwriting and say:

“Lyric Writing Inspiration is not unique to special people. It's simply emotional energy transferred or channeled from other things.”

Lyric Writing inspiration does not come from within. So anyone can draw inspiration to write great lyrics - yes even you - all you need to do is learn how to channel the right creative energy you need.

What are ways to channel inspiration to write lyrics for your songs?

Location Inspiration: Find lyric writing inspiration through location.

You probably can't write sad or painful lyrics in a park. At a park you'd probably feel relaxed and maybe a little content or happy. This atmosphere wouldn't work to channel sadness, unless you have a sad memory attached to the park (more on object inspiration next).

In an empty and run-down apartment, you probably wouldn’t feel happiness, so it'd be the best location to write a "painful" lyric or two.

Even your kitchen is different from your living room in evoking creative emotion.

Choose the best location to write your song lyrics.

Object Inspiration: Find inspiration to write lyrics through objects.

Again, nothing just comes from within. All songwriters surround themselves with things that'll inspire their next creative work.

• Open a photo album and reminisce on old memories attached to your target emotion.

• Read old letters and remember where you were and what you felt when you first read them.

• Visit friends or family member you haven't seen in a while, to get inspired.

• Watch a television show or film where your target emotion is prevalent.

• Or go to a familiar place...like a park :-).

Use whatever object you need to channel your target emotion.

Choose the best items to write your song lyrics.

Topic Inspiration: Find lyric writing inspiration through topic or idea.

1. Imagine yourself in particular situation. It could be a situation that's happened to you, someone close to you, a group of people, or someone well known.
    

2. Now put yourself there mentally and emotionally. How does it make you feel? Explore those feelings until you've found your target emotion.

One way to make sure your lyric idea has the strongest inspiration is to brainstorm on universal topics - issues that large groups of people are experiencing.

Choose a relatable topic to write your song lyrics.

Music Inspiration: Find lyric writing inspiration through music.

Can you think of any song that has the same emotion you want in your song?

Play the CD or mp3... Close your eyes and let the music fill you emotionally. Put yourself in place of the singer and begin lip-singing their song... Pretend their words are your words.

Next, imagine you were just asked to write new lyrics for that song, only now the song's about your idea.

...Trust me, it works!

"I like to find instrumentals of my favorite songs...so I can hear the music without lyrics."

Choose the best music to write lyrics for your songs.

Final Word:

You're not limited to using any one option. When you chose to write your lyrics, you also chose to become an artist. And as an artist, it's your job to inspire emotion; first in yourself, and then in others.

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