You’re looking at a blank sheet of paper and it is blankly staring back at you. Call it a serious case of writer’s block or just a routine obstacle. By any name, it’s something we all face.
The good news is, once the first few notes or lyrics are written, the rest can sometimes follow fairly easily. But how do you get over the hurdle of those first few lines?
First off, remember there’s nothing sacred about the first lines you write. They don’t have to be perfect at this stage. Once you have a rough draft, you can always go back and improve the first few lines or even replace them entirely.
The idea is to get something down on paper, a bit of an idea that you can build on, expand on and then you’re off and running. As a wise man once said, “The only way is underway.”
What follows are seven suggestions to help you get those pesky first lines written.
1. Don’t get bogged down in details at the beginning. Instead, let your creative juices flow freely, especially in the early stages. Let your imagination run wild, in all different directions. Eventually you must pick a direction. When that time comes, take the most promising one and pursue it.
2. There’s nothing sacred about your first draft. That goes double for your first few lines. Don’t hold them up to an impossibly high standard. You can always perfect them later.
3. Allow yourself to start with a trite phrase or a cliche. Anything that gets the race horse out of the block will do.
4. Steal a melody fragment from a song in the public domain, like a folk song or even a nursery rhyme. By the time you’re finished, it will have either been replaced or changed enough so as to be unrecognizable. Again the goal is to get something – anything to start you off.
5. Borrow part of a melody from one of your own songs. With new lyrics, new chords and new rhythms, I guarantee it will not sound the same.
6. Don’t worry about rhyme or even exact phrasing. I like to put down an idea and move ahead, even if the phrase is uneven or sounds stilted. I know when the time comes, a better phrase will present itself. If not, I can always tap my vocabulary (or a thesaurus or rhyming dictionary) to smooth things out.
7. Here’s one I use all the time. If you play a chordal instrument like a guitar or keyboard, learn to play a new song. As a guitarist, this invariably teaches me a new way to play a chord or inversion and almost always leads me to a new creation of my own.
Just as appetite comes by eating, so work brings inspiration, if inspiration is not discernible at the beginning. – Igor Stravinsky
Tags: 7 steps, 7 ways, Stravinsky, writer's block
Songwriter's Tip Jar 
June 27, 2011 at 10:35 pm |
Well im trying to write a song for my gf we’vw been going out for a while but are relationship is rather hard we live far from eachother iv heard a lot of ppl say that long distance relationships dont work out but so far we’ve made it work and i am very happy for that and i wont to rite a song about that but i rly dont have any clue where to start.
July 31, 2011 at 5:41 pm |
Hey Talis,
All I can recommoned is to listen to some love songs that do talk about long distance relationships, y’know, look for inspiration.
It can sometimes help writing the chorus first, I know this works for some people, as then you’ve got something to base your song on, and so it can relate to the verses.
Just a bit of advice, hope it helps in some way 😀
–SamEPCutter
November 24, 2012 at 11:41 pm |
Well you can find inspiration anywhere and find things you love about her or things she loves.Trust me you’ll make a song for her and she’ll love it I’m a 10 year old who watches a lot of tv and reads a lot of books.Good luck 🙂
March 14, 2013 at 12:25 pm |
Well you could write a song about ur long distance relationship like how she’s so far away, yet so close to you. (: I’m just 12 so this probably won’t help… Haha And um… This is 2 years later
July 14, 2011 at 11:51 am |
FFybvck y
October 1, 2011 at 6:31 pm |
don’t even listen to this. it is the worst advise eeeeeeeeeevvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 2, 2011 at 8:32 am |
How to me a good rapper?
September 26, 2012 at 4:09 pm |
Learn grammar first
November 13, 2011 at 3:01 pm |
THIS IS NOT HELPFUL TO ME GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 13, 2011 at 3:03 pm |
CAN SOMEONE ELSE HELP ME………………………………..CAUSE THIS IS CONFUSING IM 13 YRS OLD THIS IS TOOOOOO MUCH C’MON IM TRYING TO GET SOMEWHERE WITH THIS HERE PEOPLE
April 1, 2012 at 12:40 pm |
Write what you feel
June 4, 2012 at 7:48 pm |
I’m 13 too, this actully inspired me. You just have a bad attitude.
May 4, 2014 at 4:18 pm
i’m 13 too!!!
September 25, 2013 at 4:33 pm |
For Real Though It Did Not Help Me At All And Im 12 Lmfaoo
January 21, 2012 at 11:34 am |
wtf!!bitch dis dont help shyt!!
January 29, 2012 at 6:23 pm |
THIS DOES NOT HELP ONE BIT IM 13 AND TRYING TO WRITE A SONG BUT THIS ADVICE DOES NOT HELP
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 24, 2012 at 11:49 pm |
If your trying to write a song find inspiration.I’m also trying to write one so in your free time just write down on a piece of paper ideas.Good luck 🙂
February 6, 2012 at 9:19 pm |
I’m right there with ya! 14 is a hard age to be extremely creative…
I thought it would be fun but so far it is super hard…
March 24, 2012 at 1:17 pm |
Its not that bad its really good advice hes just trying to help people write a song it doesnt mean u have to follow his steps.
June 3, 2012 at 10:10 am |
i agree he’s just trying to help! i actually found it quite helpful
June 4, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Mee too!!!
April 15, 2012 at 12:31 pm |
I need to kown how to write a song please.
April 23, 2012 at 10:03 am |
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[…]7 ways to start your next song « Songwriter’s Tip Jar[…]…
May 12, 2012 at 6:25 pm |
Not really helpful
May 13, 2012 at 3:27 am |
this is great trying to write a lve song
May 22, 2012 at 12:38 pm |
Im writing a song about unicorns.. :I So this isn’t much help
June 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm |
Lol good luck with that make it silly and fun! Have lots of rhymes in it!
June 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm |
There is no exact way to write a song! You have to put what’s in your heart on paper!its one of the hardest things to do! It takes patient you cant sit down for an hour and expect that your song should be done! It can take weeks and nobody can really tell you the right way to to it. They can put you on the right track tho!
June 17, 2012 at 6:36 pm |
Here you guys seem confused! Herez some of a song I wrote. It was one of my first so its a little bit off. Its a slow song and its a love song (sorta a brake up song… and yes its true!)
What were doing is wrong
But our feelings are strong
I don’t want to move on
But I’m ganna be strong
I love you
And I know you love me to
but we have to do what we have to do
what were doing is illegal
I’m sick of hiding
I don’t want to be “that girl”
But I want to be your girl
If there was a way to make this work I would
There’s only one true way
but I would never ask you to quit
that’s why I’m leaving you
r
“Chorus”
I’m a child your an adult
I’m the student
Your the teacher
I’m 17 and you 26
what were doing wrong
And I don’t want to lie anymore
But my feelings for you are strong
and the last year has been amazing
Your my everything
but I cant do this any longer
I’m only young once
I hate being traped in your appartment
I hate having to hide my feelings for you
I wish people knew how special you are
I want my parents and my friends to be apart of you and me
I want to go out
I want to be wild
But ag the same time what were doing is crazy
Im sorry but I have to walk away!
Left this on his desk and switched out of his class and never saw him again…
June 17, 2012 at 6:39 pm |
Omg I’m so sorrry! But wow! What subject was he/her?
June 17, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Cole teaches 10th and 11th grade English
June 17, 2012 at 6:46 pm
He taught 10th and 11th grade english
January 3, 2013 at 9:33 pm |
Do u think that i can steal like the first two or three lines? Please? Its rlly good!!!!!!!!!!
January 14, 2013 at 11:48 am
No, you can’t steal lines from someone else’s copyrighted song.
Here’s what you can do. Start out as if you were going to steal that line. Then continue writing your song using your own original ideas. When finished (or even before), take a second look at the ‘borrowed’ lines. At this point, you should be able to find even better original lines that make sense with your song. Those borrowed lines served their purpose, as a placeholder and an inspiration for the new song.
If starting with someone else’s line inspires you to write a song, more power to you.
July 27, 2012 at 3:46 am |
Wow That suckks 😦 Sorry that had to happen
July 27, 2012 at 3:46 am |
but AWESOME SONNG .!(:
October 11, 2012 at 10:26 pm |
How can I start of a song about a guy telling all my secrets and lies?
February 3, 2014 at 11:59 pm |
Its kind of like back in school rules of writing an essay. First line should be the thesis of your poem/song. then just move on from there.
find me at superadorbjustice@tumblr.com for more advice or help with poem/song/or rap lyrics. I usually can write lyrics pretty easily in any iambs, trochees, spondees, anapests and dactyls meters.
November 9, 2012 at 8:04 pm |
writing a song is really hard i cant do it????????????????????????????????????????????????????
November 24, 2012 at 11:56 pm |
Don’t say that you should motivate yourself not bring yourself down.You should sit down on your free time and find inspiration from anywhere.If you want to become someone famous then set your mind to it.If you thought this was good advice then thank you that’s so nice to tell a 10 year old
February 25, 2014 at 6:51 pm |
I wanted to learn how to make my own and this does but I wanted a song example. I hope I can pass my music test. I think that you should stay positive, other wize you can’t.
November 30, 2012 at 3:18 pm |
. okay so im in a group nd i have no ideas how to start it off nd im like the leader so i do EVERYTHING but any ways i just need like 3 sentences and im good please help….
December 4, 2012 at 6:09 pm |
Don’t think about it, just do your everyday things then just sing anything first things that come to your head, there the meaning full lyrics
February 15, 2013 at 1:46 pm |
Anyone have a bigger case of WB than me??😰
February 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm |
I always find that if I get blocked and can’t write anything I stop and write a poem or a story of some kind to get my creative juices flowing.
February 22, 2013 at 11:48 am |
Ceejay,it seem u might be a Good product will u back me up in my upcoming lyrics
just call my number 08175943977
February 28, 2013 at 7:13 pm |
Write what you feel, love, and/know.
(1) To start a song maybe you should start it with a sound.
If you get stuck, what I do is stop and read a book.
(2) A song is like a story, so in the middle do something like a problem.
(3) Like I said it’s like a story, so in the end do a solution, and then if you want another sound
February 28, 2013 at 7:27 pm |
Here is a song that i wrote myself:
Thud,thud,thud,thud,thud,
Woo,
Thud,thud,thud,thud,thud,
Woo,
(rap this part)
Everybody knows that I’m a kindda girl who never fall in love with strangers, it’s my lucky day i guess, everybody has a first,
Chorus
My heart goes thud,thud whenever you walk by,
My head goes boom,boom, I’m not a gonna lie
(rap this part)
everybody knows that i like you and you like a girl,
Chorus
(rap this part)
Everybody knows that I’m a kindda girl who never fall in love with strangers, it’s my lucky day i guess, everybody has a firsteverybody knows that i like you and you like a girl.
July 16, 2013 at 11:49 am |
If anyone needs a tip for rap, try repetatively using the sounds “T” “D” “B” and “S” I also, try to get the lines to where they just roll off the toung.
August 7, 2013 at 4:54 pm |
Dope
October 3, 2013 at 7:23 pm |
i agree no helpful at…………. my band and I are stuck so something else plz 😛
January 25, 2014 at 5:00 am |
Living in a war-zone lost and confused,
Y u gonna leave me, battered and bruised
Traffic jam in my head,yeah,
Thinkin of words i should’a sed
Chorus
Every word i say makes me love u more
My heart gave up when u walked out that door
And it hurts when ur not with me
But wat hurts the most ..
I think ur yesterdays news
Need to finish de song but comment on dis.. I hope u lyk it… Am only 12 yrs old so plz no harsh comments thanx
February 3, 2014 at 10:25 pm |
usual i try to start A RAP THEN PULL LINES OUT OF THAT THEN CREATE THE ACTUAL SONG, IF THAt makes sense
March 21, 2014 at 8:52 am |
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May 12, 2014 at 5:32 am |
Ok dude everyone is trying to get an answer here song entrance 2 ur answers:
Song name: Staircase (made it up)
Verse
oh things that u tell me are mostly a lie and the things that you say u think im 2 dumb to really no but right now it seems like yesterday that u broke my heart in 24 pieces i saw your face but i knew things aint right no things aint right…
Chorus
There you are at the staircase ,staring at me guilty and i wondered yea i wondered what was going on and i knew yea i knew that you were with another girl and you told me that it wasent gonna work out ohhh things weren’t gonna work out .
Verse
oh mr right you think that u knew me well, Well Guess What i knew it all along and dont tryyy to find ur way outa this no it wont happen againnnnn yeaaaaa
Chorus
There you are at the staircase ,staring at me guilty and i wondered yea i wondered what was going on and i knew yea i knew that you were with another girl and you told me that it wasent gonna work out ohhh things weren’t gonna work out No it didnt work out
Verse
you got me hooked on your love its hard to let go but now i see yea now i see that your personality was a fake and your heart is poor enough to know that your a… Heartttttt Breakker and i just cant believe that i thought you were gonna be the best thing i ever had.
Chorus (soft finishing ending)
There you are at the staircase ,staring at me guilty and now i get the chance to say Goodbyeee.
Contact me if you need any advice for your future songs 🙂 Izabella xoxo
Email: bellawella84@hotmail.com
May 12, 2014 at 5:32 am |
Hope that worked for u guys
May 17, 2014 at 5:18 am |
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You can not consider simply how so much time I had spent for this info!
Thanks!
May 22, 2014 at 10:03 am |
uh y’all all doing it wrong if your going to write a love son or just a song in general but we will go with a love son get a sheet of paper and write down all the things you like about the person in 1 min, and then make up a couple of line up trust me it works be cause this girl i liked just was not feeling it and i did this wrote her a song now every time i am around her she wants me to sing the song here’s a couple of lines i wrote for my ex….
do me a favor don’t ever come around ,because you only bring heartbreak to town…
hope you guys can make some thing out of my comment thanks for taking the time to read it…
Caleb
July 27, 2015 at 8:04 am |
Ehh I wanna write a song bout’ a boy
August 14, 2015 at 9:16 pm |
i give up.
August 15, 2016 at 12:56 am |
Songs songs songs