A song is a musical composition that conveys the emotions and experiences of its author. It can be a lyrical work that expresses the yearnings of a poet in the transient throes of passion, or it could be a simple folk melody that captures the delights of childhood. A symphonic piece of exquisitely constructed beauty can be a song as well, as can the weary croon of a tired mother singing her child to sleep after a long day. In fact, any sound can be considered a song if it is musically transformed from what is heard in the soul.
There are as many ways to write a song as there are songwriters, and the results can be just as unpredictable. But there are certain techniques that consistently work, and using them will increase the number of songs that make it through to being finished works that are fit for purpose.
The first step in writing a song is finding inspiration. It could come from any source, a book, movie, television show, or real life experience. Then you need to tune in, listen and take note. Then you can start to put your ideas down on paper. This is the sketch stage, and it’s important not to be precious at this point. Just jot down everything that comes to mind.
Once you’ve got your draft title and hook in place, it’s time to start crafting a melody. You should aim for something that is catchy but also memorable, and try to avoid revealing too much of what the song is about.