Songwriting: Developing An Idea - The Dreaded Second Verse

So you've written Verse 1 and the chorus and you feel good about where your lyric's going.

Now it's time to develop the story and then...Bam...it hits you! You've nowhere to go. You've said everything you've wanted to say. What you've written isn't really a story at all. There were no details and no direction. You've made your point and that's it. Now you're going to have to start from scrratch for the simple reason that you failed to plan. No, it's not a novel you're writing, but if you treat it casually, it will become obvious.

So how do you plan a lyric?

Any great story needs an outline. Try summarising your story in point form.

e.g. Verse 1: She left him and went to stay with her mother. She was sick of his unexplained, disappearing acts.
Chorus: He was no good. Her mother was right about him all along.
Verse 2: He was seeing her mother behind her back.
Chorus: He was no good. Her mother was right about him all along.

The second verse makes you think about the chorus differently. That's key to retaining the listsener's interest and lets you know you've really done your job.

To summarise, don't reveal everything in the first verse. If you find that you have, you could always subtract some of the main points and add detail to the remainder of the verse. You could then use the other points in Verse 2. Paint a picture and always leave the listebner wanting to know more.

Jackson Kelly is the owner of: www.songwritingtips3000.com where new articles are added freqently.
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