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Common Songwriting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Common songwriting mistakes—vague lyrics, no chorus, too many ideas, not finishing—and how to avoid them.

1 min read
Why Songs Change Time Signatures

Every songwriter makes these mistakes. The trick is catching them before the song is finished.

Mistake 1: Vague lyrics

“I feel sad” tells nothing. “The creek bed knew our names” shows everything.

Mistake 2: No chorus

A song without a chorus is a poem with a melody. Give the listener something to remember.

Mistake 3: Too many ideas

One song, one emotion. Save the other ideas for the next song.

Mistake 4: Not finishing

Finish songs even if they are imperfect. A finished mediocre song teaches more than an unfinished perfect one.

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Written by

Editor at LyricsMirchi. Writes about the craft, context and credits behind the music.

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