Songwriting: From Idea to Finished Track

Every songwriter has a different process, but the artists who finish songs consistently share one trait: they have a system. Inspiration is unreliable. Discipline is not. Set aside regular writing sessions — even 30 minutes three times a week — and show up whether you feel inspired or not. The more you write, the more natural it becomes, and the faster you can recognise when an idea has legs.

Start with whatever comes first. Some writers begin with a lyric, others with a melody, others with a chord progression or a beat. There is no correct order. If you have a hook — a phrase, a melody, or a rhythmic idea that feels compelling — build outward from there. The hook is the anchor of the song, and everything else supports it. If the hook is strong, the rest of the song will fall into place more easily.

Lyrics should feel conversational, not literary. Write the way people actually speak. Avoid cliches by being specific: instead of writing about love in general, write about a specific moment, a specific person, a specific feeling. Specificity is what makes a lyric resonate universally, paradoxically. Use sensory language — what do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell? Show, do not tell. And never be afraid to be vulnerable. The songs that connect most deeply are the ones that risk something emotionally.