Common Songwriting Mistakes to Avoid
The same few problems show up in early drafts again and again. When you know what to look for, they are much easier to catch in your own songs. Don't worry, we have all made them. đ
Forcing a rhyme
Twisting the meaning, the grammar or the sound of a word just to make it rhyme is easy to hear. Often more than no rhyme at all. Read Rhyme Patterns to see why a near rhyme is almost always the better deal.
Being vague instead of specific
âI miss youâ describes a feeling. âYour coffee cup is still in the sinkâ puts the listener right inside it. Vague lines are the most common habit in a first draft. And being specific is usually the most valuable fix when you edit. More in Finding the Right Subject.
The wrong mood for the music
A sad lyric on a happy, bright melody (or the other way around) can work very well, if it is on purpose. But much more often it just weakens the song. The listener doesnât know what to feel. If the mismatch was not planned, check if the music works with the lyric or against it.
Too many ideas in one song
A song usually only has room for one main idea, and one main metaphor. Put in several ideas that compete, and often none of them land. See Using Metaphors on sticking to one picture, instead of stacking many.
Hiding the hook
If your strongest line isnât placed where the song repeats it, usually the chorus, the listener might never notice it. See Titles and Hooks for where a hook should sit.
Frequently asked questions
Are these mistakes, or just choices some songs make on purpose?
Both. It depends on the intention. A mood that doesn't match, used on purpose, is irony. The same mismatch by accident just sounds like a song that doesn't know what it wants to say. The difference is choice or oversight.
Which of these is most common in early drafts?
Vague lines, by far. In a first draft it is natural to describe a feeling in general words, instead of a specific picture. And it is usually the most valuable thing to fix when you edit.
How do I catch these in my own songs?
Time and distance help the most. Put the draft away for a day or two, and then come back. Problems you couldn't see while you were inside the song are often clear a day later.