Subscribe for unlimited access! On the Spectrum From Abstract to Direct + Learn songwriting, theory, production, composition, arranging, mixing, and more - whenever you want and wherever you are. “Songs make the familiar unfamiliar, transforming common themes into language that, when set to song, excite the senses.”īut how do you go from a lil’ bit of something to being able to specify exactly what you want to say or what you want the audience to feel? Professor Adam Bradley describes that process: One must strive to individualize the lyric, and freshen it up. In song, love is the dominant theme in all its highs and lows: the good, bad, and oh so very ugly.īut there are other significant themes - family relationships, friendship, escape and rebellion, frustration and disillusionment, “making it despite the odds,” needing to sing, dance or party on your own terms, and messages to unite, to be hopeful, to fight back, wake up or drop out.Ī songwriter’s artistry comes from how you handle these familiar themes and put your own personal stamp on them. They’re called universal because they’re relevant and important to so many people. Songs oscillate around well-worn universal themes, just like books and movies do. “It’s so much easier to write about angst and anger and fear and darkness and fucked–up feelings than to write about incredible intense happiness.” Make the Familiar Personal “There are five things to write songs about: I’m leaving you. “I love songs about horses, railroads, land, judgement day, family, hard times, whiskey, courtship, marriage, adultery, separation, murder, war, prison, rambling, damnation, home, salvation, death, pride, humor, piety, rebellion, patriotism, larceny, determination, tragedy, rowdiness, heartbreak, and love. Others are more humble but equally compelling and straightforward - “I Want to Hold Your Hand” or “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” Some songs have great big themes like “Anarchy in the UK” or “Strange Fruit.” But you may have a general idea what you want to get across - that’s your theme right there: a basic notion or vision for the song. What do you want your lyrics to actually do? Show us how desperately you want someone or how angry you are about something? Or do you want to your lyrics to make us behave a certain way, notice the homeless, start a revolution, or dance the night away?Īt some stage you have to figure out exactly what you want to express. + Improve your songwriting with Soundfly! Explore our range of courses on emotional chord progressions, basic songwriting technique, songwriting for producers, and many more.

Lyrical songs for dance