Songwriting Methods: History to Song, Improvisation, Metaphor Driven
Before a song has a structure, it needs raw material. Real lines to work with. These three methods are different ways to get them. Each one fits a different mood and a different starting point.
History to Song
Write the story first, as normal text. A real memory, something you saw, or something you make up. Don’t think about rhyme, rhythm or line length yet. Just write it the way you would tell it to a friend.
When it is written, go through it and break it into lines. The sentences that already sound like lyrics will jump out at you, once the whole story is in front of you. This method is great when you have a subject (see Finding the Right Subject) but no lines yet. ✍️
Improvisation
Play a simple chord progression on guitar or piano, and sing freely on top. No plan for what comes out. Words, melodies and phrases will show up that you would never write with a pen in your hand.
Record every session. Lines that feel obvious in the moment are gone fast. The whole point of improvising is to catch the lines that come before you start to doubt them. 🎙️
Metaphor Driven
Start from a metaphor instead of a plain description (see Using Metaphors). Build short lines around it. Let the metaphor carry the feeling, with as few extra words as possible. This method often gives the most personal and least generic lines of the three. Because it forces you to be specific from the very first line.
Frequently asked questions
Which method should I start with?
History to Song, if you are not sure. You need no instrument and no melody. Only something that happened, or something you can see clearly in your head. That makes it the easiest way in.
Can I mix methods in the same song?
Yes, and many writers do. A common path is to start with History to Song for the story. Then switch to improvisation when you have some chords to sing the lines over.
What if none of my lines from a session are usable?
Keep them anyway. A line that doesn't fit this song often fits another song later. All three methods work best as a habit of collecting material. Not as one session that has to deliver a finished song.