Exercise

Step 1: Open a demo or track you want to write lyrics for in your DAW, and set up a microphone.

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Step 2: Loop the section you want to write lyrics for. Set a timer for 5 minutes and start singing phonetics - sounds and syllables like “uh,” “ah,” or “oh” etc. Don’t worry about words or meaning. Sing nonsense, follow your instincts, and let it flow. If a real word happens to come out, keep it.

 

Step 3: When the timer goes off, listen back to your takes. What sounds good? What doesn’t? Comp your favourite parts into a final version. Listen for any words or phrases that naturally came out - they can become starting points for your lyrics.

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Step 4: Repeat this for each section of the song until you have a collection of sounds, words, and phrases to use as starting points for your lyrics.

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Theory

When writing a melody, the way words sound can be just as important as what they mean. Starting with phonetics allows you to focus purely on the sound, rhythm, and flow of the vocal. Once you have a melody that feels good, you can shape the lyrics around it while staying close to the original sounds. This often leads to lyrics that feel natural and effortless to sing. Especially in pop music, prioritizing what sounds good can be a powerful starting point for songwriting (Grant, 2024).

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Sources

• Grant, C. (2024). The Secrets of Melodic Math. Available at: ⁠https://thesongwritingacademy.co.uk/video-tips/the-secrets-of-melodic-math/ (Accessed: 9 August 2026).

• Oklou. (2026) CHOKE ENOUGH BTS - S01EP01 CHOKE ENOUGH. YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/bUemMBqSHxk?si=iwBXdls9tAHY4Tk6 (Accessed: 9 August 2026).