There’s no right or wrong way to tackle this one. Both approaches work well for different writers, and plenty of great songs have come from either direction. Some folks find their groove by working with words first, while others need to get the melody down before anything else clicks. It’s really about figuring out what feels natural for your creative flow.
Every songwriter bumps into this question eventually, and it can feel like being stuck at a fork in the road. Thing is, both paths can lead to solid songs – they just take different routes to get there. Some of the most loved tracks out there started as poems or random lyrical thoughts, while others began as melodies someone was humming in the car.
What’s cool about this choice is how it shapes your whole creative process. When starting with lyrics, there’s a narrative foundation to build from, letting the story guide where the music goes. Starting with melody means following an emotional thread first, then finding words that match those vibes. Neither way is better – they’re just different tools in the songwriting toolbox.
The nice thing about songwriting is how flexible it can be. Someone might be a lyrics-first writer for slower songs but find themselves humming melodies when working on something more upbeat. Many writers notice their preference shifts depending on their mood, what project they’re tackling, or even what time of day they’re creating.
Writing lyrics first puts words at the center of everything. Those words become the blueprint, with their natural rhythm and flow pointing toward melodic patterns. How sentences get structured, where emphasis lands, and how lines break up – all of that influences the musical shape that comes after.
This approach works well for writers who think in stories or have something specific they want to say. When there’s a message that needs to get out, starting with words helps get it clear before adding musical layers. The emotional weight of those lyrics then guides melodic choices, making sure the music serves the message instead of fighting with it.
There’s something freeing about focusing just on words without worrying about musical limits. Playing with language becomes easier, experimenting with different ways to say things, really nailing down what needs to be communicated. Once the lyrics feel right, finding a melody often feels like discovering something that was meant to be there all along.
Starting with melody taps into pure musical instinct. It’s working with emotion in its most direct form, creating musical phrases that express feelings before there are even words for them. This approach often leads to more catchy, memorable hooks because the melody isn’t boxed in by existing syllable patterns.
Musicians who play instruments often lean toward this method naturally. When messing around on guitar or piano, melodic ideas just flow. These musical phrases carry their own emotional fingerprint, suggesting certain moods or stories that words can then bring to life. It’s like the melody is telling you what it wants to be about.
Another perk is that melody-first writing often creates more musically interesting songs. Without being tied to specific word patterns, there’s freedom to explore cool intervals, unexpected rhythms, and creative phrasing. The trick then becomes finding words that fit naturally without cramming them into awkward spots.
Professional songwriters rarely stick to just one method. They’ve learned to read the situation, both literally and creatively. If they’re co-writing with a lyricist, they might focus on melody. If they’re working with a track producer, lyrics might take priority. The starting point often depends on whatever inspiration hits first.
Many pros in their career in songwriting develop a toolkit approach. They might start with a title or hook phrase, then decide whether to develop it lyrically or melodically based on how it feels. Some keep separate notebooks for lyric ideas and voice memos for melodies, pulling from either collection depending on what the project needs.
Experience teaches flexibility above everything else. Professional writers know that forcing a particular method when it’s not clicking is just asking for frustration. They’ve learned to switch gears mid-song if needed, maybe starting with lyrics for the verse but switching to melody-first for the chorus. This adaptable approach keeps the creative flow moving and prevents getting stuck.
Getting stuck is part of the songwriting process, not a sign that something’s wrong. When lyrics won’t fit the melody or the melody feels forced around the words, it’s time for some creative problem-solving. Sometimes the best fix is stepping away briefly, then coming back with fresh ears.
One technique that works is temporarily ditching the original starting point. If beginning with lyrics hit a wall, try humming nonsense syllables over the melody to find new rhythmic patterns. If starting with melody, try writing completely new lyrics without trying to fit them to the music, then see if any unexpected connections pop up.
Another approach is breaking the song into smaller pieces. Maybe the verse lyrics work perfectly but the chorus needs a complete melodic makeover. Or perhaps the melody is solid but needs simpler, more direct words. It’s okay to keep what works and reimagine what doesn’t, rather than scrapping everything out of frustration.
The ideal songwriting method is as unique as a fingerprint. Some writers discover they’re naturally verbal thinkers who need words to anchor their ideas. Others find that melodies speak to them more clearly than any language could. The key is experimenting enough to recognize personal patterns and preferences.
Building a sustainable career in songwriting means developing flexibility while honoring strengths. Someone might be primarily a lyrics-first writer who occasionally gets melodic lightning strikes, or the other way around. Embracing both possibilities makes sense. The more tools available in the creative arsenal, the more prepared for different projects and collaborations.
Professional environments understand this need for flexibility. At Wisseloord, countless writers have discovered new aspects of their creativity by having the space and support to experiment with different approaches. Whether crafting lyrics in a quiet writing room or finding melodies at the piano, having the right environment can make all the difference in unlocking full potential as a songwriter. Many writers also benefit from structured learning through the academy or collaborative experiences at camps and writing sessions.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact our experts today