# Lyrics Craft — Music Knowledge

> Universal lyric writing principles. Apply to all languages and genres.

## The 4 jobs of lyrics

Every line should do at least 2:
1. Tell a story / advance narrative
2. Express emotion
3. Create memorable hook (chorus especially)
4. Sound singable (rhythm, vowels, consonants)

## Universal principles

### Specificity over generality
- BAD: "I miss you so much"
- GOOD: "I still kept your coffee mug"

Specific details create universal feeling.

### Show, don't tell
- BAD: "I am sad"
- GOOD: "Empty bed, cold coffee, your jacket still on the chair"

### Singable structure
- Strong vowels on accented beats
- Consonants on weak beats
- Avoid tongue-twisters in fast sections

### Repetition with purpose
- Chorus repeats — that's its job
- Pre-chorus often builds with repetition
- Verses should NOT repeat exact phrases (unless deliberate)

### Hook recognition
The chorus must:
- Be memorable after one listen
- Sing-along friendly
- Repeat key phrase (the "hook")

## Section-by-section approach

### Verse
- Story / narrative
- Sets up the emotion
- Different content per verse (V1 ≠ V2)
- Personal / specific details

### Pre-Chorus
- Builds tension
- Often shorter than verse
- Leads to chorus emotionally

### Chorus
- Emotional core
- Memorable hook
- Repeats (usually 2-4 times in song)
- Singable

### Bridge
- Contrast (different chord progression often)
- New perspective
- Often emotional peak
- 8-16 bars typically

## Singability checklist

- Read the lyrics aloud
- Can you sing them?
- Are vowels on long notes?
- Are consonants natural?
- Do phrases breathe (singer needs breath spots)?

## Common mistakes

- Forced rhymes (changing meaning to rhyme)
- Too many syllables per line
- Cliché phrases ("baby, baby")
- No emotional core
- Same content in V1 and V2
- Forgettable chorus
- No clear hook

## For Suno specifically

Lyrics formatted clearly with section tags. Suno will sing them as written. Be precise:
- Clear punctuation
- Consistent meter within sections
- Sing-friendly word choices