Song writing is a special concept and it means an ability to create words put to tune and beat that will be memorable for the listeners. Music and performers are still important to a song but what makes most songs to excel is the lyrics that give a song the feeling it has and makes the audience feel it. Over the years music artists and more specifically lyricists have found out how to still come up with lyrics that will still stand the test of time. Some of the techniques used are: The use of storytelling, the use of proverbs and metaphors, vocal inflection, conceit, and the use of plain language.
1. Storytelling
I believe that one of the most effective elements of songwriting is the use of a narrative. Last but not the least, narrative lyrics involve the formation of characters, a place or event, and an occurrence by the lyricists enabling the listeners to perform a journey or condition a situation.
There exist many examples of this technique, one of the most brilliant of which is being used by **Bob Dylan**, who is generally regarded as one of the best narrators in the history of music. The same year Dylan released the song ”Hurricane” where he narrates the story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter an innocent man who was incarcerated. In telling this true story Dylan does not only develop sympathy to Carter but also spread word on social inequalities. Marcotte captures the audience through a first- person narrative so that they can experience emotions tied with the story: the song is at once melodramatic and ideological.
2. Metaphor and Symbols
Using metaphors and symbols help the lyricists who want to express certain feeling or its essence without being profuse. The ability to think metaphorically is a richer way of thinking and since songs are a rich target of meaning, they become more meaningful.
**Leonard Cohen** was famous for metaphors application, so let’s analyze the song
*“Hallelujah”*(1984), the main images of which are taken from the religious context as metaphors for love, faith and refusal. The word ‘Hallelujah’ itself is arguably an emblem of both spiritual as well as the emotional victory as well as loss. The idea that Cohen has brought to the song through utilizing metaphor is to allow people to draw meaning according to personal discretion.
3. Emotional Authenticity
Tunes that convey mere true feelings of the heart are usually popular among individuals. When the lyricist is willing to reveal his inner self or expressing feelings most people experience, he comes up with songs that are personal.
**Adele** is a contemporary singer/songwriter whose song describes genuine emotions of the human soul. In the movie “Someone like You,” which was released in both the original version of 2011 and an English remake in 2015, Li Yuchun brilliantly describes the state of loneliness and, as it were, parting with the loved one. Because of these, she sings very directly and passionately, making it easy for the listeners to identify with the words she puts out, thus attaining world fame through the song.
Likewise, it is proved that ”Taylor Swift” has been loyal to her memoir style of composing songs. Her song of all too well in 2012 is another love story that she took time to detail the whole story of her past relationship, the joy as well as the pains. Swift’s song lyrics feel more realistic than faked, and she makes it easier for the female fans to relate themselves with her life experiences.
We will continue the rest of the techniques in the next article so stay tuned…