From Idea to Lyrics

From Idea to Lyrics: How to Structure Your Song

(Inspired by Jack Perricone’s Great Songwriting Techniques)

After you’ve decided on a title or central idea, it’s crucial to clarify what you want to say and how you want to say it. This involves choosing your perspective (who’s speaking, and to whom) and developing a concept that ties every lyric element together.

The Power of a ‘Concept’

A general notion like “I want to talk about making the world a better place” is only a starting point. Real strength emerges when you make that idea more specific, turning it into something personal, heartfelt, and ideally universal.

Example: Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror” revolves around improving the world, but does so by focusing on self-examination and personal transformation. This angle made the message powerful and unique.


Choose Your Point of View (POV)

First Person: the singer talks about themselves and addresses a specific “you” (partner, humanity, a friend).

Second Person: talking directly to the listener (“You must change”).

Third Person: telling a story about someone else.


Each choice has a different emotional effect on the audience. In a song like John Lennon’s “Imagine,” the first person merges with a collective invitation: it’s as if the author is speaking directly to all of humanity, drawing in anyone who listens.

The Centrality of the Idea

If you can’t summarize your main song idea in one or two sentences, it’s probably not yet clear enough. Once you have it, make sure the lyrics always keep sight of that central idea:

Verses should build toward it, creating “tension” or a desire to hear it.

The chorus should express it with emotional impact, often through the repetition of the title.