Finding the Right Words.
A Songwriters Guide to Writing Lyrics
The art of writing lyrics is an understated skill. The ebb and flow of finding the perfect words to express a feeling and then shaping these words with melody over musical accompaniment… well, the alchemy is both challenging and liberating.
In this month’s Session Notes blog, Project 7 Songwriting Retreats Creative Director and songwriter Lisa Fitz discusses the dark art of writing lyrics, offering some top tips for capturing these precious little words and feelings as they flow.
Are you a lyrics-first kind of songwriter? Or do you prefer to find a chord progression and a melody before you commit to the words and intention of a song? Perhaps you dabble on both sides of the songwriting train tracks, experiencing the mysteriously complex and effortlessly abundant dualities of this part of the songwriting process.
Over the past 30 years I’ve experienced, and survived, many of these lyrical fact-finding adventures. From solo songwriting to collaborative writing teams, from finding that rare jewel of a song fully formed, to the long struggle to finish an idea that doesn’t quite fit yet. It’s a puzzle that continues to inspire, excite and torment me in equal parts.
Here are some top tips to help you along your lyric writing journey:
Pen to paper: I know this sounds obvious, but I keep a small notebook and pen with me at all times. Old habits die hard, and for me, the writing of lyrics, pen to paper, has a certain flow and feel that I can’t capture on my note’s app or laptop. It also means that I’m not constantly looking at my phone. I do use digital and voice notes as well, but I think as lyricists we should be farming in all fields, and pen to paper is my favoured method.
“This event will inspire me and boost my creativity in ways I cannot articulate or foresee! It’s a game-changer!”
– Paul Mallory P724 Artist
Voice notes: are the quickest way to remember words, especially when you wake up with an idea at 3am.
Listen in: eavesdropping on the conversations of strangers is THE best way to gain insights into other people’s worlds. So many lyric ideas come to me from travelling on public transport and overheard conversations in bars and restaurants.
Collect poetry books: my studio bookshelf is full of poetry books found in charity shops and second-hand book shops. When I am stuck for a word or perspective, I randomly open a page and pick a line to read from. This often unlocks a flow and pushes my lyrics into new directions. When I’m writing collaboratively, I always bring 4 or 5 of these books along to sit in the room for all to use. Try it.
★★★★★ “…one week here is worth more than a year at music tech Uni.”
- YOUTH Pro7ect Headline Producer (The Orb, The Verve, Paul McCartney)
Dialogue from films or TV: I’ve got pages and pages of lyrical idea’s from watching films and tv. It’s a great way to kick-start song ideas from a 3rd person perspective.
Find collaborators: trusting people with your inner world can be difficult and finding the right collaborators even harder. You know what’s coming now… a brilliant way to find like-minded, complimentary collaborators is to invest in a songwriting camp experience. Our Project7 (Pro7ect) residential songwriting retreats at the world famous Rockfield Studios are designed specifically to give you the opportunity to find your tribe. You’ll work with songwriters and producers in our daily writing teams in the rooms where Oasis, Queen, Bowie and many more musical greats have written and recorded. Now in our 10th year, Pro7ect offers artists a unique opportunity to upskill, get results (a songs a day) and meet future collaborators. It’s a no-brainer. Apply to join us at: www.pro7ect.com/apply
“The retreat was a great experience in terms of all my expectations. I couldn’t recommend the P7 retreat more highly for those
from a solo writer / self-producer background.”
- Mark Jones P724 artist
Give yourself time: invest in your future songs by allocating time just to write lyrics. You can write absolutely anything - thoughts, feelings, stream of consciousness… like writing a diary. Many professional lyricists and topline writers have a collection of words, poems and ideas to draw from in their writing session. Be prepared!
How does it sing? When I’m in a writing room with other collaborators there is often quite a lot of suggested lyrics being pitched and thrown around the team. As the topline writer/lyricist or Featured Artist you need to efficiently filter these offers into a linear structure that makes sense to the song. Often lyrics that read a bit odd can sounds great when they’re sung. This also applies when I’m writing alone, I like to sing the words with the melody to decide whether they work or not.
At the end of the day, the art of writing lyrics isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. Whether you’re scribbling ideas on paper or piecing together words with collaborators, songwriting is a journey of exploration, emotion, and persistence. These tips can help guide you, but ultimately, the magic comes from within - the unique experiences and stories that only you can tell. Remember, your lyrics hold the power to touch hearts and move minds. Embrace the process, trust your instincts, and let the words find you. Happy writing!
Pro7ect 2025 dates will be announced in the Autumn 2024.
About Pro7ect:
Pro7ect is a global network of musical professionals that facilitate creative opportunities for songwriters, producers, and musicians to collaborate at residential writing retreats.
Pro7ect A-list producers include Youth (Sir Paul McCartney/The Verve/Echo & The Bunnymen/The Orb), Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Mel C), Roni Size (Reprazent, Method Man, Zac de la Rocha), Mercury Music Prize winner Tavin Singh OBE, John Fortis (Razorlight, Ellie Goulding, Yellowdays), Andrew Levy (Brand New Heavies), Iain Archer (Snow Patrol, James Bay, Jake Bugg) and Matty Benbrook (Paulo Nutini, LENA, Rebecca Ferguson, Beverely Knight), Stew Jackson (Massive Attack) and Gethin Pearson (Badly Drawn Boy, Charlie XCX).
