Music and Lyrics

Music and Lyrics: How They Grow Together

(Inspired by Jack Perricone’s Great Songwriting Techniques)

For some artists, music comes before words. A simple chord progression can create a certain mood, emotion, or rhythm that leads to a melody, and eventually, to coherent lyrics.

Starting with the Melody

Many songwriters find themselves humming a short musical phrase (often with made-up syllables) long before they have any words. These dummy lyrics help you feel how the words will eventually fit into the musical structure.

Ask Yourself: Does the piece feel calm, intense, or contemplative? Is the melody more narrative or atmospheric?


Starting with a Chord Progression

A chord set played with a certain groove (whether on guitar or piano) can spark rhythms and melodic lines that might never have surfaced otherwise.

Experiment with various tempos, accelerate or pause.

Introduce a repetitive riff and see where it leads. Often, repetition forms the musical “hook” of a song.


Follow the ‘Voice’ of the Music

Let the music guide you: each time you listen to your draft, tune into the color and the emotional impact of the sounds. If you sense sadness, joy, or urgency, find words that resonate with those feelings

Each song is a personal journey: whether you start from a title, a well-defined concept, or a guitar riff, the key is to listen to what emerges within you (or from the notes you play) and let your words and music influence each other.

Protect Your Creative Space: make time to explore your ideas without distraction.

Choose a Strong Central Idea: keep it clear, so you don’t stray from the emotional core of the song.

Use Music as a Guide: let yourself be surprised by the melodies and rhythms you create, and discover how they can hint at the perfect theme or lyrics.

Ultimately, the courage to start writing a song is half the battle: it’s the spark that ignites your creativity. Every time you set out to write, you have the chance to make something unique, something that can touch both you and your future listeners. Happy writing!