How to Write a Song: Tips for Writing Lyrics to Music | Songwriting | Tips & Techniques

Download Your Free Songwriting Handbook Now: berkonl.in/3wSocKI
Earn Your Songwriting Degree Online with Berklee: berkonl.in/2w6KwPi
In this free tutorial, Berklee Online instructor Andrea Stolpe shares how to write a song using tips and techniques that will help you to write lyrics to music and convey your message to your listeners.
Placing that perfect lyrical idea into a melody without it sounding unnatural is a common obstacle to many songwriters. An unfortunate setting of a word or phrase can sink the emotion of the song, calling your listener's attention away from WHAT you are saying to HOW you are saying it. Writing Lyrics to Music analyzes a variety of song forms to instruct you on key lyrical and melodic components: stressed and unstressed beats, rhyme positions, melodic sections, and tone. You'll work through different musical feels and time signatures, and discover how the natural shapes of the words follow the shape of the melody, ultimately creating a much more expressive composition. This is a "can't miss" course - it's bound to take your writing to the next level. It will also make you a more valuable co-writer.
Enroll in Writing Lyrics to Music now: bit.ly/1JVEq6n
For more songwriting tips and techniques watch these free tutorials:
How to Write A Song: Sensory Writing Tricks
bit.ly/1JDBT0s
How to Write A Song: Use Critique to Improve Your Songs
bit.ly/1KtuXGN
Want more? Learn songwriting online with Berklee:
Learn techniques for writing original songs in a variety of musical styles-techniques that have propelled Berklee alumni to write number one songs and win Grammy Awards. In this program, you will develop skills to create song structures, harmonies, melodies, and lyrics that support and enhance the ideas that you want to express. Through listening and analysis, you will be able to recognize and discuss quality elements in musical and lyrical structures. You will learn arranging techniques that support the style and structure of a song with appropriate instrumentation. You will develop your own voice as a songwriter and learn to write more effectively and efficiently, whether by yourself or in collaboration with other songwriters.
Andrea Stolpe is a multi-platinum recorded songwriter, performing artist, and educator. She has worked as a staff writer for EMI, Almo-Irving, and Universal Music Publishing, with songs recorded by such artists as Faith Hill, Daniel Lee Martin, Julianne Hough, and others. Andrea is the author and instructor of the course Commercial Songwriting Techniques, part of Berklee Online's online songwriting program. Recently released in fall of 2007, her book Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling describes how to apply a unique process for uniting our artistic voice with the commercial market.
Andrea graduated with a degree in songwriting from Berklee College of Music. She continues to tour and promote her solo release, "Breaking Even," and serve as a guest clinician nationally and abroad. Andrea lives in Los Angeles with her husband, recording engineer Jan Teddy.
Enroll in Commercial Songwriting Techniques now: bit.ly/1ixjQQH
How to Write A Song | Songwriting | Tips & Techniques | Free Tutorial

[@RawcusBanks]

She seems like such a nice person

[@gar949]

I bet she would be a very good friend.

[@ricklombardo6912]

and she is good looking

[@khananasherov]

I like her voice so much! Every syllable out of her mouth sounds pretty, and every word, meaningful.

[@BillyReedMusic]

Reminders: 1)Steam of consciousness writing--write, write, write 2)Stress patterns 3)Don't spend 4 hrs on first two lines

[@malreymusic]

I made peace with myself, my family, and everyone I've hurt just listening to first few minutes of this video. Thank you.

[@jessicaakawolfquarles6615]

why is this so soothing? lol

[@HarshChaudharynewbie]

I think because there is a background music/soundtrack.

[@lanremodele180]

I tell you. the background music blends a little to perfectly with her speaking texture. She makes me desperately want to listen to her again. this is my first time of listening to her

[@elansings]

It’s a lullaby

[@MasterMatrix8]

She has a mom-like quality

[@steveolson1712]

This woman is a genius!! This was the most helpful video on songwriting I've ever seen!!

[@MegaUtube99]

Completely agree!

[@tesscrazy]

Absolutely! I feel the same! I have to go try these out!

[@dieprettysnippetz]

She is so smart and beatiful

[@wavvous]

omg this helped me so much. I overthink everything especially when I write I just want it to be so perfect. But I have so much random stuff floating in my head and I gotta just get it out first and go back to it.

[@thetwins3980]

Yeah, same to me.

[@Cloud-wu7vl]

We must protect this woman at all costs, what a gem

[@scylla019]

Strangely this was exactly how I used to write lyrics to my music. Record it, listen to it for 2 days on repeat while humming melodies, then write lyrics and trust my first instincts

[@mreggbird]

I almost started crying. And I don't even know why...

[@leikamusic]

Max v B ikr

[@SleepyMatt-zzz]

The background music, surprising how manipulative background music can be. Not saying it's bad, but it's important to keep in mind how and why you react when you listen to background music in media.

[@levikomio5769]

m very true

[@0fffxy]

Struck a major chord with me.

[@lloydwright489]

I love to hear you talk

[@real_franco]

Right? I even showed my wife another video of Andrea teaching, and she has just a relaxing way about her.

[@steveempiremantra2120]

lloyd wright right? its like a human jacuzzi

[@KapaDeFreitas]

I think we are a big group! :)

[@realdavebob]

The way she explains it explains everything I want to explain when I explain in songwriting! Did I explain myself ok

[@remotegod255]

she's such a fantastic music teacher, and I've worked with many of them.

[@knightreader8272]

Thank you Andrea Stolpe, this helped me enormously. This method spoke to me, really loved when you said what does this song sound like to you, now trust that first impression, that image you get and go off on a stream of consciousness as if in conversation with someone over a topic that matters to you. The John Meyer example was the cherry on top; so true.

[@bellahawthorn4575]

I’ve been looking up how to start writing lyrics for a while, and this is the only thing that has helped me and made me feel it is possible. It seems most other resources are starting from the point of already kinda knowing how to write creatively, but this literally teaches you how to *start*. It’s really inspiring, reassuring, and freeing. I’m really excited to start now 😊

[@christophermi2860]

I've been spending weeks on lyrics , writing a whole paragraph , and then scrapping it . This really helped me free up my mind .

[@fr3rdsky]

This is what I needed. Good stuff!

[@elansings]

Thank you. Love you Andrea 😘

[@richardsargent1849]

This information is GOLD!

[@JessCasarez]

This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

[@KristinaHelene]

I needed this today, thank you Andrea!

[@bill18336]

Excellent Advice!!!!

[@ela-hr7ro]

This is so so inspiring omfg

[@altervisi7748]

That was incredible

[@NOJUSTNOALWAYSNO]

Thank you. This was great.

[@carolinablack4223akaM.A.]

Man this was pure dope!!! Thank you!!!

[@marcoprezotto]

Definetely one of the bests videos about this

[@Thejayfrancis]

I really needed that advice. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@TheJScheer]

Thank you! This has helped me immensely.

[@othni]

Wow, so much knowledge!

[@andrewrichardsuk]

Experience speaks volumes... thank you x

[@TeaWitcher]

This is gold. You are very knowledgeable about this. thank you -xx

[@QuintonBaker32]

Very Helpful Thanks!

[@giannadamelio1753]

I loved this video thank you so much.

[@yohanguichoud6403]

Thanks a lot for this inspiring video, I'm now so exited to try your tips! Thanks again

[@COLORLOVE]

Wow really great video thank you so much!

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

She is so cute. I really enjoy listening to her. Her advice is so loaded with usefulness. She has SO much to teach. Thank you Andrea!

[@hansy1305]

This is exactly what I needed right now. Thank you

[@alcatrazeleochestra4146]

Thanks! this one and the sensory writing video are very helpful.

[@NelsonGarciasax]

I love to hear you talk as well. So peaceful and enjoyable. Great tips as well. Love it !

[@musiclover1236]

Thank you Andrea Stolpe ❤️. I learned from you a lot ❤️

[@vijayalekhajaydas5046]

Thanks you so much...for giving this advice☺☺☺❤

[@jennysaarloos1177]

Wow. Awesome advice for any writer!

[@poeticnation6251]

Great information - Very helpful (Thank you for sharing).

[@Benitohatausprobiert]

Your way of explaining is magical and inspiring. Thank you.

[@guitarsix7]

Love this

[@jessicasosa364]

Absolutely brilliant!!! Thanks a million☺️🙏🙌🎼I’m on it😁

[@vuduboymusica]

Great tips, I practice some of them already, but there's always something new to learn with Andrea.

[@BronskiBeats]

Awesome Andrea! Luv your intelligence in this area. Thanks! You just may have saved me some time.

[@dr.mryansaldivard.c.8028]

Such a quality teacher

[@markmarshallmusic]

I can't even begin to tell you how helpful this and the Sensory writing video are. Thank you EVER so much.

[@sidewaze8]

man, this video made me cry for some reason, thats awesome. thank you

[@ashaynale9146]

BEST. EXPLANATORY VIDEO. EVER! loved it! thank you!! :)

[@bboymac84]

This is so soothing. She should make more videos frfr

[@Donaldjon]

I needed to watch this. You are really good at breaking this process down into bite sized pieces.

[@jurbanek2704]

I agree. This one and the sensory writing video are very helpful. Big thanks!

[@chrisstegerean9429]

Thank you, Andrea

[@aslightlysavageburrito8217]

This was lovely. Thank you very much, I believe this was the help I needed to get started in writing lyrics! :)

[@xxChaos97yelxx]

i wish more people could find these videos theyre so helpful what an amazing resource for help

[@ardeladdison3300]

Ty you very good tips..trust your instincts.🙌🙏 Ty for sharing .God bless you!

[@carlosleija2718]

One of the greatest advice I have ever received

[@AnnasDrawingChannel]

Wow!!! Very informative video! Thank you for the new approach to writing! you just saved me a lot of time! :D

[@georgekiapos1]

Fantastic suggestions! I really enjoy your input. Very intuitive and organic as opposed to structured and formulated. Thank you Andrea Stolpe!

[@oakleybeckm-n2251]

This is a great help thanks

[@robbery1717]

So candid and sincerely honest in your helpful approach as a teacher. I find your talks very inviting and inspiring. Thanks so much for your insight and technical breakdowns that do resonate even in a rookie !

[@NocturnalBrute]

I loved this video so much. I feel as a song writer I put too much pressure on myself.

[@martintojr]

This was great! Thank you so much for the visual imagery and way that you teach on Songwriting.

[@kismetcrush]

This was so helpful. Setting my writing aside for a week really worked. I was finally able to get out of my head and just let the words flow. Thank you!

[@leikamusic]

Wow this is SO useful and she helped me not feeling so stressed and nervous about writing omg she looks like such a nice person

[@MoonlightNightcall]

I have this issue, the other way around! Writing the words is easy and natural but it's the music that's daunting!!

[@danielgarzaromusic]

Juuli Salo me too!!!!!

[@SingerSongwritingSchool]

Deconstructing hit songs and seeing how they do certain things makes it all become so clear. I do that consistently and it really stops those blocks in writing.

[@songhouse1311]

Lets write together then :) im better at music :)

[@suefauziyah]

This video’s a keeper. Saved to watch again and again, until these suggestions become habit. Thank you.

[@jc5239]

Such a beautiful soul! God bless her!

[@SeasonOfWhatNow]

This is fantastic. I've written like this and I think it really streamlines the process.

[@sn0wsilver]

Trust your first impression ♥️ You got it, sis. Thank you so much for this.🥰

[@lamphranglaithma7305]

She is so soft.... God bless you

[@finnajane]

two thumbs up - very helpful

[@mojoefelix]

Great lesson! To apply this I am trying out this sequence of writing music first and then lyrics to the music. Typically, I write the lyrics and the melody and harmony at the same time working it back and forth, so this video is a paradigm shift for me. Maybe I will get something new and different with this method. Worth a try.

[@ArtificialJetleg]

I fell in love with her. Her voice and way of explaining is so gentle and kinda like I can feel hr humbleness.. anyway, great tip. Thx!

[@enginufuk]

How unbelievable is her delivery?!! Just wow!!

[@EliasH-video]

Phenomenal advice - glad I googled before chucking this pen across the room

[@maryanne2025]

seems like a really helpful process/system to write song lyrics.

[@thatleidy]

This was so helpful thank you

[@roncruz3096]

Oh my oh my, i now have direction. Thank you for teaching, i have a new perception. Really helped a lot, i now know what i should. Making more and more music and thanks to you! PEACE!

[@renierhenn5290]

Watched a few of your videos today... had serious writers block for weeks now.... you inspired me so much that I wrote a song today and alsomst finished the programming.... thank you soooooo much....

[@samfestusthepianist5204]

She is so adorable, 😍I love her for sharing her pro knowledge🎁 with us, it's helps my music compositions ❤️❤️❤️

[@unclemaple]

You have the greatest ability to explain the process,. You are wonderfully talented and have the best speaking cadence. Thank you for sharing

[@warbearbanditz6138]

This is so good

[@scottfishkind5335]

I stumbled onto this approach years ago, learned to give myself the grace and freedom to explore ideas without trying to structure them prematurely, letting go of judgement and allowing things to flow more spontaneously. But it is nice to hear it articulated so beautifully by someone I have so much respect for!

[@ryandufort9025]

Have you ever believed you are blessed, you really helped

[@wademasters2344]

The best musical advice ive ever had

[@mckennaconnor7607]

In 5 minutes she described the entirety of the crux of an issue I been struggling with for the last 3+ years and a means to address it. I can't wait to try this method for what, to me,has been an incredibly frustrating situation. I know I am not alone in this. Thank you, you beautiful person x

[@Loki_Dokie]

No clue why I never even thought of this before, but thank you so much! Beginning my journey in songwriting as a former poetry only writer

[@gewoenpascal]

thank you for the info :)

[@Symphonyck]

What she said was so valid and real it made me cry.

[@trevor4835]

this woman is incredible

[@youtubecommentor4480]

I totally agree with this video. Always start out by just writing a the idea you have. Just get the idea out of your mind and onto paper or (as the video said) on a recorder. Forget the structure, the correct words etc. All that will come later in the refinement stage when writing the verses, chorus, bridge etc. Just tell the story first, even if certain parts are out of order. All the details will get sorted out later. Great video! Thank you very much.

[@matias7438]

Holllyyy Shit you're amazing. I've been stuck on writing lyrics to a song for weeks now with no real progress, and everything you said was spot on! Thank you!

[@polyphonicgroove]

Very insightful, some great info in this video. I usually write the music first, then when I begin to write the melody, I will hook up a mic and sing whatever comes to mind in order to lock down the melody. Whatever fits the phrasing of the melody, just off the top of my head. The interesting thing.....many times 75% of that lyrical "gibberish" ends up making it in the song. I believe that the music evokes a feeling and subconsciously I'm singing words or phrases that mirror those feelings.

[@serhatduran2818]

Perfect

[@GerhardAlbinus]

Wow, fantastic ideas and instructions. This is exactly the guidance that I need! Thank you Andrea Stolpe!

[@Berklee_Online]

Glad it was helpful!