Lyrics vs. Melody

What Should Come First in Songwriting? A Comprehensive Guide

1/23/20252 min read

Famous Melody-First Success Stories

Paul McCartney's "Yesterday"

  • Originally conceived as "Scrambled Eggs"

  • Melody came fully formed in a dream

  • Lyrics took several weeks to perfect

  • Became one of the most covered songs in history

Michael Jackson's Process

Jackson would:

  • Record melodic ideas into a tape recorder

  • Use nonsense syllables to capture rhythm

  • Layer harmonies before adding words

  • Build arrangements around the central melody

The Modern Hybrid Approach

Digital Age Songwriting

Today's technology allows for:

  • Simultaneous recording of ideas

  • Quick testing of different approaches

  • Easy collaboration across distances

  • Immediate feedback and revision

Contemporary Songwriting Methods

The Loop-Based Approach

Many modern writers start with:

  1. Creating a basic beat

  1. Adding chord progressions

  1. Developing melodic hooks

  1. Writing lyrics to fit the groove

The Concept-First Method

Some writers begin with:

  1. A central theme or concept

  1. Key phrases or titles

  1. Melodic ideas that match the mood

  1. Full lyrical development

Practical Exercises for Both Approaches

Lyrics-First Exercises

Stream of Consciousness Writing

  1. Write for 10 minutes without stopping

  1. Highlight powerful phrases

  1. Find natural rhythms in the words

  1. Develop melodic ideas from speech patterns

Theme Development

  1. Choose a specific emotion or experience

  1. List related words and phrases

  1. Create rhyme schemes

  1. Build verses around key ideas

Melody-First Exercises

Melodic Improvisation

  1. Record yourself humming or whistling

  1. Find patterns in your natural melodic tendencies

  1. Develop variations on simple themes

  1. Add harmonic structure

Hook Development

  1. Create short, memorable phrases

  1. Use repetition effectively

  1. Experiment with different rhythmic settings

  1. Build verses that complement the hook

Advanced Songwriting Techniques

Breaking Traditional Patterns

Non-Linear Writing

  1. Starting with the bridge

  1. Building around a hook

  1. Using multiple perspectives

  1. Incorporating spoken elements

Genre Fusion

  1. Mixing stylistic elements

  1. Combining different writing approaches

  1. Experimenting with structure

  1. Breaking conventional patterns

Common Challenges and Solutions

Writer's Block

  • Alternate between approaches

  • Use writing prompts

  • Collaborate with others

  • Take breaks and seek inspiration

Balance Issues

  • Ensuring lyrics fit naturally

  • Maintaining melodic interest

  • Creating memorable hooks

  • Preserving emotional impact

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As a songwriter with over fifteen years of experience in the music industry, I've witnessed countless debates about whether lyrics or melody should lead the creative process. This comprehensive guide will explore both approaches, their historical significance, and how modern songwriters navigate this fundamental aspect of music creation.

The Historical Perspective

The Evolution of Songwriting

In medieval times, most songs began as poems set to existing melodies. The troubadours of the 12th century would often adapt popular tunes to fit their new lyrics. This lyrics-first approach dominated Western music for centuries.

The advent of recorded music in the 20th century revolutionized songwriting. Suddenly, musicians could capture melodic ideas instantly, leading to more melody-driven composition. This shift gave birth to some of the most iconic songs in popular music.

Deep Dive: The Lyrics-First Approach

The Psychology Behind Words-First Composition

Starting with lyrics engages the analytical part of our brain. This approach often results in:

  • More structured narratives

  • Deeper thematic exploration

  • Stronger emotional resonance with specific experiences

  • More complex rhyme schemes

  • Better story progression

Notable Lyrics-First Songwriters

Bob Dylan's Process

Dylan's approach typically involves:

  • Writing pages of prose

  • Distilling ideas into verses

  • Finding rhythmic patterns in the words

  • Matching musical phrases to natural speech patterns

Leonard Cohen's Methodology

Cohen was known for:

  • Spending years perfecting lyrics

  • Filling numerous notebooks with variations

  • Testing different musical settings

  • Refining words until they achieved perfect clarity

Technical Considerations for Lyrics-First Writing

Syllabic Structure

  1. Count syllables per line

  1. Create consistent patterns

  1. Leave room for melodic variation

  1. Consider emphasis words

Rhythmic Elements

  1. Natural speech rhythms

  1. Stress patterns

  1. Alliteration and assonance

  1. Phrase length variations

The Melody-First Approach: A Detailed Analysis

Understanding Melodic Construction

The melody-first approach focuses on:

  • Intervallic relationships

  • Rhythmic motifs

  • Emotional expression through pitch

  • Natural tension and resolution

  • Hook development

The Science Behind Memorable Melodies

Research shows that successful melodies often feature:

  • Step-wise motion (moving to adjacent notes)

  • Limited range (usually within an octave)

  • Repetitive elements

  • Predictable yet surprising patterns

  • Strong resolution points

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