How Our Lyrics Writing Works

Writing starts from the melody or the meter where one already exists, so stressed syllables land on strong beats and the line does not have to be crushed into the phrase during recording. Where the lyric comes first, the syllable count and stress pattern are set explicitly so the composer has a usable frame. The message is reduced to a single idea before any line is written, because a lyric carrying two ideas communicates neither at listening speed. Rhyme is used where it serves memorability and relaxed to near rhyme where a perfect rhyme would force an unnatural word, since an obviously forced rhyme costs more credibility than it gains recall. Hooks are short, front loaded and repeated at intervals that suit the running time. Language is checked for how it sounds aloud rather than how it reads, including consonant clusters that are hard to sing cleanly. Claims inside a lyric are held to the same standard as any other published copy: no guarantee, no price and no superlative that cannot be evidenced. Drafts are delivered with alternate lines at the points most likely to need adjustment in the studio.