How can you tell if your lyrics suck?

Question

Yesterday I asked the question, "How do you write good lyrics?" And the answer I got from people was that the format to write good lyrics was pretty open.

So alas, here comes a second question to follow my first: How do you tell if your lyrics suck? I know that the first way to tell is if the lyrics don't sound like they flow well, but still. I'm having a hard time filling in all the blanks. I can't tell if what I have I should use as a verse or a chorus.

Answer 1

what sucks to you may not suck to other people.
but youll just know.

Answer 2

First of all, if you write something soft and romantic it may not fit a metal format. That's a lyrical problem? Not to me.

Lyrics suck when they are not believable to an audience. There needs to be either a surprise or a common call to protest. If you are screaming about the can opener breaking when you're feeding the cat, you aren't likely to have much sympathy.

A chorus needs to be catchy to where people (including yourself) are saying the hook lines to themselves. This doesn't have to be the main descriptive part of the lyrics. I think the bridge is the best place to put a finger on why the song exists.

Finally, there's meter and format. If you have too many or too little words so that there's no flow, that's bad. Also, should you endeavor to commence articulation beyond the scope of an ennuistic and unpersuadable audience, your ministrations shall justly be vilified. (I meant: speak to your audience in their tongue.)

If you have some writings you wish to allow me a peek at I can reciprocate one as well. I'm a security guard who writes on the side, and I'm as undiscovered as they come. Good luck with your work if you decide not to collaborate with me.

Answer 3

If they give no meaning. If there something like:
"Lost my umbrella well i was hitting a pole"

That means their not very good and truly no meaning but if it is something like:
"Only so many words that we can say, spoken upon long distance melodies."

It has to be deep, almost like poetry, but in song form. Its pretty much poetry, just with music. If you listen to The Beatles, their all poetry! But it still needs to be catchy, for example OneRepublic's song 'Apologize' it's catchy because of the music, but the version they made without Timbaland's help wasn't that great. Some people in this world actually listen and understand the lyrics, most do not.


You have to have the main components: First verse, bridge, chorus, second verse, bridge, and ending chorus. But think of something that struck you in your life, that was amazing, or something that stands out and tell the world about it.


If your writing a song, make sure it's meaning is good and it's still catchy.. for some inspiration listen to The Fray.. amazing lyricists right there.

Remember no matter what you write, it's good in it's own way. If your friend tells you it sucks because it's stupid, tell them it's your writing and you like it that way. And if they are honestly telling you that it sucks, then ask them why it does, and how you can improve it.

Answer 4

you don't have to be so pessimist and don't say that your lyrics suck. when you write something you must first feel what you're writing, because it's the only way to make good lyrics and you will see that your lyrics won't suck.
when you make a good piece of the songs (I mean that piece which sounds really good), then you should choose it as the chorus and the other pieces as verses.

Answer 5

talk about drama people.......what the heck is up with all the negativity? what's with all the thumbs-downs? Sure he claimed that some of his lyrics didn't make sense (listen to the lyrics of 'On a Plain' lol) but that doesn't mean that there's no meaning behind it, right? Sheesh, I'm tired of all the Nirvana/Kurt Cobain hatred on R&P. As I've stated many times before, Nirvana is overrated with the fans and underrated with the haters......all you haters need to realize that his band was NOT the worst thing to happen to music as you claim! During their prime, they were critically acclaimed! I bet if R&P existed in 1992, everyone would be raving about how great they were! Many of you hate them because they became legends after Kurt's death. So what? When I first listened to them, I didn't get into the band because of his death, but because of the MUSIC. Who cares if he's dead? I would listen to Nirvana whether Kurt Cobain was dead or alive. damn No, I'm not trying to get all you haters to became fans or anything, but you have to give the band credit and respect. GSP: your welcome :) but your answer was good too!

Answer 6

Seems like the same question, asked two different ways. I think it depends on the type of music. I think if people have a strong reaction to your lyrics, they are good lyrics. If people read your lyrics and don't feel like talking about it at all, it's not going to stir anyone's soul. My favorite lyrics are Trent Reznor's.

Answer 7

If you are writing about an experience that you yourself have never experienced.
If you say a word too much, that is also bad.
If you can't find a tune for it, it's bad.
If one of your close friends says it's bad, it's a 50/50 chance it's good or bad...

Answer 8

Go ask a couple people first and get see what they have to say.

Answer 9

well i think you should make sure when other people read them its not obvious wat comes next
like i hate it wen u know want the next line is sort of going to be
and besides that as long as they have meaning and flow okay they should be good

Answer 10

as soon as your neighbors charge you with a knife.

either that or all your stuff dont fit the instruments and it doesn't fict 100% what you expected.