How Do You Write a Great Song?

First of all, a lot of what I’m about to say is subjective.

As the saying goes:

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Or in music terms:

“Beauty is in the ear of the beholder.”

What I’m really getting at is this: no matter how much we analyse songwriting, theory, or structure, what makes a “great song” ultimately depends on the listener.

---

What Makes a Song “Great”?

For me personally, a great song usually has at least one of the following:

• A catchy melody
• Strong lyrics
• A great vocal performance

Although interestingly, you don’t always need all three.

Sometimes one strong element is enough to carry the whole piece.

---

Music Should Make You Feel Something

When I listen to music, I want to be moved in some way.

That could be:

• Emotionally
• Physically (like tapping your feet or dancing)

I enjoy all kinds of music—pop, dance, ballads, blues, rock ’n’ roll—and if a song has a strong hook or melody, I’m usually happy.

That emotional connection is what turns a simple tune into something memorable.

---

Where Do You Start When Writing a Song?

There is no single correct way to write a song.

But there are a few common starting points:

• Melody first
• Chords first
• Lyrics first

Each approach works differently depending on the person.

Before anything else, it helps to decide the theme of the song:

• Is it a love song?
• A dance track?
• A tribute or memory?
• Something upbeat or emotional?

Once you have that direction, the rest starts to fall into place more naturally.

---

Finding Inspiration Is Often the Hardest Part

Most people assume the hardest part is writing the lyrics or melody.

But in reality, the biggest challenge is often finding the idea in the first place.

Inspiration doesn’t usually appear on demand.

It often comes from:

• Listening to lots of music
• Experimenting on your instrument
• Playing around with chords or rhythms
• Small accidental discoveries

If you sit at the piano and just start playing a few notes or chords, sometimes something unexpected appears—and that can become the seed of a song.

---

Let the Song Develop Naturally

Some writers start with the chorus, others begin with verses.

There’s no strict rule.

In fact, many people find it easier to:

• Start with a chorus
• Then build verses around it

But the most important thing is this:

Start wherever feels natural.

Trying to force a structure rarely works well. Songs tend to develop better when they evolve organically.

---

Do You Need Music Theory?

Not necessarily.

While it helps to understand chords, keys, and structure, it is not essential to be highly trained in theory to write a good song.

A strong idea, a good ear, and some creativity can go a long way.

---

A Great Example: Paul McCartney

Take Paul McCartney as an example.

He’s not known for being a highly technical pianist, yet he has written countless iconic songs using the piano as a tool for ideas.

Often, it starts with:

• A few chords
• A simple melody
• A strong musical instinct

And that’s enough.

It proves that simplicity can be incredibly powerful.

---

Writing With Other People

Another great way to write songs is collaboration.

Working with others can help you:

• Share ideas
• Build on each other’s creativity
• Solve musical problems faster
• Stay motivated

Sometimes a song comes together much more easily when ideas are bouncing around a room rather than sitting alone.

---

Get It Down Quickly

Once you’ve written a song—or even just part of one—it’s important to capture it quickly.

That could mean:

• Writing it down
• Recording it on your phone
• Creating a rough demo
• Or filming a simple performance

The reason is simple:

Ideas can disappear surprisingly fast.

What feels clear today might be completely forgotten in a few days.

So it’s always best to get it recorded while it’s fresh.

---

Final Thoughts

Writing a great song isn’t about following strict rules.

It’s about:

• Creativity
• Emotion
• Experimentation
• And sometimes a bit of luck

Most importantly, it should come from somewhere genuine.

If it feels good to you, there’s a strong chance it will connect with someone else too.

And once you’ve finished it—don’t overthink it.

Get it out there and share it with the world 🙂