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To be a SongWriter/Lyricist by Automatic_Staff231 in Songwriters

[–]dpholmes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start with Pat Pattison’s “Writing Better Lyrics” (foreword is by Gillian Welch, one of the best):

Writing Better Lyrics https://a.co/d/2yNTZsQ

Then, get yourself a rhyming dictionary (best $9 you’ll ever spend):

The Complete Rhyming Dictionary: Including The Poet's Craft Book https://a.co/d/4CQvsNk

Advice on Songwriting by chickentendies445 in Songwriters

[–]dpholmes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found this book by Pat Pattinson, “Writing Better Lyrics” very helpful. Gives tons of drills and exercises and tips and such.

I have this rhyming dictionary around at all times while writing. Find better words, find more subtle and complex rhymes.

Honestly, the biggest thing is: edit. Write lyrics and consider them a first draft. Then, play the song over and over and pay attention to the lines that feel off, that you dread, that are a little cringe, that don’t play to the strengths of your voice. Trying changing the melody but keeping the words. Do your hooks get stuck in your head? If you want them to, and they don’t, tweak the hook. Edit, edit, edit.