Creating a song is a challenge every songwriter faces, and your favorite tune probably wasn’t crafted overnight. Thankfully, there’s plenty of insight to glean from the masterminds behind some of the greatest hits. We’ve gathered 10 quotes to help you write a song to remember in 2024, so if you’re eager for inspiration, dive in!
How to Write a Song in 2024?
1. Begin with easy lyrics
When it comes to songwriting, there’s a fundamental question that always arises—do you begin with the music or the lyrics?
The answer? Well, there’s no definitive answer. However, the best approach is often to choose a starting point and see how it resonates with you.
Take David Byrne of Talking Heads, for instance; he famously discussed composing random lyrical fragments and assembling them in intriguing ways.
This method’s strength lies in alleviating the pressure of crafting lyrics with complex or weighty themes. It also offers the freedom to experiment with language in a musical context.
Moreover, it encourages you to plunge into the creative process without overanalyzing—an excellent strategy for sidestepping writer’s block.
Each spontaneous phrase you generate can serve as a songwriting prompt, igniting subsequent lyrics. You might even stumble upon a compelling song title.
Once the lyrics begin to coalesce in a manner that appeals to you (particularly if they possess a strong rhythm or flow), you’ll have a foundation to build upon.
2. Pay attention to the music
What if you find yourself focusing on instrumental work, or if your confidence lies more in your musical abilities than in lyricism?
If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Many accomplished songwriters allow the sound and mood of a piece to guide the entire creative process, including the lyrics.
Take Pharrell Williams, for example, whose extensive list of awards and nominations speaks volumes.
If musical sounds tend to evoke themes and words in your mind, this approach might be the most potent way for you to craft a song.
Chords, melodies, textures, and rhythms can evoke specific images, emotions, and ideas. Sometimes, you simply can’t resist translating them into words.
Some of the most compelling songwriting occurs when you tap into that inspiration and ride the wave.
3. Develop what you already have
At times, there’s no greater source of songwriting inspiration than the material you’ve already crafted.
Progress in any creative endeavor hinges on building momentum, often achieved by taking things one step at a time.
An artist who eloquently expressed this sentiment is none other than The Artist, Prince.
“Sometimes I hear a melody in my head, and it seems like the first color in a painting. And then you can build the rest of the song with other added sounds.” — Prince
Consider envisioning each song as a collection of small components that contribute to a larger whole. This approach can help alleviate intimidation and prevent rushing the process.
Rather than aiming for immediate perfection or completion, concentrate on mastering each incremental step.
A melody may suggest the necessary bassline, a beat might indicate the perfect snare, and a word might call for the ideal rhyme.
This principle applies to every aspect of your songwriting. By allowing each element to guide you towards its natural fit, you’re on the right path.
Feel free to explore our helpful song structure chart for inspiration, and like Prince, consider song construction from a visual perspective.
4. Don’t push the procedure
The lyrics you’re crafting may feel a bit cringeworthy. The hook you’re tinkering with fails to captivate you, and that elusive momentum remains beyond your grasp.
Sometimes, it’s wiser not to force your way into a successful song. Otherwise, you risk becoming ensnared in frustration and dwindling confidence, which can severely hinder the songwriting process.
In addressing this challenge, rock and folk legend Neil Young has imparted one of our favorite songwriting insights.
“I don’t force it. If you don’t hear anything going over and over in your head, don’t sit down and try to write a song. You know, go mow the lawn.” — Neil Young
Some days, it may seem like a song effortlessly writes itself, while on others, you may feel utterly lost in the music-making process. Both experiences are integral to the journey!
Pushing yourself too hard seldom yields positive results. When faced with such challenges, take a break and engage in activities that allow your creative mind to rejuvenate.
Play video games, hit the gym, indulge in reality TV—whatever helps reset your creative compass.
Sometimes, starting anew after clearing your mind can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Who knows? You might just stumble upon a hit in the process.
5. Write as often as you can in order to write a song in 2024
Nevertheless, maintaining consistency in your craft remains paramount.
Even if you prefer waiting for inspiration to strike, the subsequent step is always to roll up your sleeves and transform it into tangible work.
Keep your creative faculties sharp, ensuring you’re ready to seize that momentum when it arrives and capitalize on it.
According to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, such consistency distinguishes a dedicated songwriter from a sporadic dabbler.
“A songwriter writes songs all the time, whereas just writing a song can be done by anyone, anytime.” — Bryan Adams
With a smartphone, you essentially carry a musical workstation wherever you go.
Even without music production apps (though we recommend exploring the plethora available), a voice memo tool and a notepad app suffice.
These tools are ideal for capturing melodic, rhythmic, and lyrical ideas throughout the day.
Since a simple hook can unlock an entire song, a single voice memo might serve as the genesis for your next masterpiece.
In essence, if you aspire to craft exceptional music, you must consistently put in the effort. Fortunately, doing so has never been more accessible.
6. Take risks and venture out
If your aim is to maintain an air of perfection and coolness at all times, you may overlook the opportunity to create some of your most remarkable work.
Madonna, among many others, has emphasized the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in the songwriting journey.
“Songwriting is a really intimate experience… You have to be not afraid to make a fool of yourself.” — Madonna
The most impactful lyrics often stem from intense emotions: anger, regret, longing, excitement, gratitude, and beyond…
To transform these emotions into exceptional songs, it’s crucial to embrace honesty and authenticity, allowing them to flow freely.
Commit to maintaining a daily journal where you jot down unfettered thoughts, feelings, poems, and lyrics.
The outcomes may be imperfect or even cringeworthy, and that’s perfectly acceptable!
Vulnerability is integral to nearly every aspect of the creative process. It involves embracing imperfection and refining the results.
As Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl famously remarked, musicians must be willing to endure mediocrity before they can achieve greatness.
7. Keep Exploring
Once you’ve established a songwriting routine that works, it’s tempting to stick with it.
This consistency ensures steady output, but it can also lead to stagnation.
That’s why it’s crucial to stay curious and experiment.
You don’t have to abandon your methods entirely, but don’t let them limit you either.
Try bending or breaking the rules to keep things fresh.
Spanish artist Rosalía captures this sentiment perfectly:
“I don’t see music as ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’ Does it give you goosebumps?” — Rosalía
Embrace new ideas and be open to unconventional approaches, even if they challenge traditional norms.
Closing thoughts
So, as we wrap up, remember that crafting a killer song in 2024 is all about blending old-school methods with new tricks. By keeping an eye out for those hidden tips and staying open to the latest trends in music-making, you’ll be all set to write a song in 2024 that really hits the spot!