How to Write a Song

A song is a musical composition with lyrics, and often melody and harmony. It may be for a solo singer, a lead singer supported by background singers, or even a choir (although large classical music vocal forms such as opera and oratorio use the terms aria and recitative instead). It may be written for a single instrument, or for a whole group of instruments, such as a piano, organ, orchestra, or a full band.

Songs can evoke emotion in their listeners, and help people express themselves. They can also be used in many different contexts, including in movies and television shows to add emotional impact to scenes, or in commercials to make a product seem more desirable. A good song has both a memorable melody and a meaningful message.

The title is a vital part of a song, and should help the listener remember it. A catchy phrase or an image that represents the overall feeling of the song will work well. The title is usually the first line of a song’s lyrics, so make sure that it’s something that will stick in the mind.

Once you have a title, move on to the chorus. This is a great place to tell your story, and answer some of the questions that listeners might have. Try to keep these lines short and simple; eight to ten words will convert easily into lyric lines. Write down as much of this material as possible, but don’t judge whether it’s good or not at this stage – you might end up using most or all of it.