Most beginners try to write their lyrics from the top down — first line, first verse, chorus later. It feels logical, right? Start at the beginning and work toward the end.
But that’s actually one of the biggest reasons songs fizzle out halfway.
When you start with the beginning, you’re guessing at what the song is about. You don’t yet know the heart of the idea — the emotional target you’re aiming for.
Professional songwriters often flip that process completely. They don’t start with the first line. They start with the hook — the title line.
Why?
Because the title isn’t just a label. It’s a map. It defines the emotional core of the song before a single verse exists.
Let’s unpack that.
🧱 The beginner way
You sit down with your guitar or keys, and think: I need a first line.
You look around and write something descriptive, like:
“There’s a light on in the kitchen.”
That’s fine — but now what? Where does it go? What’s the point of the song?
You might end up wandering, searching for meaning as you go.
💡 The pro way
Start with a title + concept.
Let’s say the title that pops into your head is:
“The Wrong Way Home.”
Before you write a single line, spend two minutes unpacking it:
- What could it mean?
Maybe it’s literal — taking the wrong turn. Maybe it’s emotional — coming back to the wrong person. Maybe it’s existential — trying to get back to who you were. - What images live inside that title?
Roads, maps, headlights, detours, signs, familiar streets, a front door, a shadow. - What’s the opposite of it?
The right way home → safety, belonging, warmth, light in the window, arms open. - Now list 10 words or phrases from both lists:
Rain, dashboard, turn around, mile markers, static on the radio, porch light, suitcase, forgiveness, Sunday, silence.
Congratulations — you’ve just built your lyric palette.
Now any line you write will feel cohesive, because it all points back to the same emotional center.
📺 You can see this approach in action right here (a quick demo I made using this idea).
✍️ Try this today
- Choose a title (real or made up).
- Set a 5-minute timer.
- Make two lists:
- Words inside the idea
- Words opposite the idea
- Use those lists to write 4–6 short lines — anywhere in the song.
It doesn’t need to rhyme. It just needs to belong.
This simple habit does something profound: it gives your song direction before you even begin.
When you know what your song is about, every verse, pre, and chorus pulls toward the same emotional truth.
🎥 Watch the full tutorial here.
It walks through how pros use titles, chords, and melody starts — and how to turn all three into a song that actually feels cohesive.
[Quick caveat: It is a totally valid songwriting process to simply start writing to find out what you’re writing about. It’s also useful to start seeking out the ‘central idea’ even as you are doing that. I think of this as ‘turning on the searchlight’—even as I explore, I am actively looking for a title that can become the unifying force for the whole song.]
Write for life,
Keppie, Benny, and the HTWS team.
If you’re looking for the perfect antidote to “I’ll do it later”, check out our 8-week Songwriting Sprints – designed to provide structure, community, and momentum.
