The lyrics of a song are a lot like a poem. Some lyrics tell a story, while others simply express a feeling, idea or opinion. Some lyrics don't have any meaning at all and are only used as a way of giving the singer a melody to perform in order to reinforce the music. The structure of most songs is divided into verses, choruses and typically a bridge. Verses generally consist of several lines serving to advance the idea of the song, whether it's a narrative or feeling. These lines will sometimes rhyme, although rhyming is not a necessary factor in creating a good song. Each verse of a song usually contains different lyrics, while a song's chorus typically has the same lyrics, or only minor variations, each time it is sung. The best lyrics will inspire the listener while possibly evoking a specific mood or feeling.
Many songwriters choose to write a song's music before they write the lyrics. Most songwriters try to make their music as catchy as possible, because they want their song to stick with the listener after hearing it. Typically, the same musical ideas will be used for each verse, while a unique set of melodies and musical patterns are used for the chorus. Songwriters generally save their catchiest melody, known as the "hook," for the chorus. It's important to keep in mind the instrumentation you intend for a song. Amazing songs have been written throughout the years with only the acoustic guitar or piano. Often, these instruments play a supporting role and add harmonization while the singer expresses the melody. If you're writing a full band arrangement, try to include important parts for each musician. The technical capabilities of the musicians should also be considered. If you want to feature an electric guitar player in your song, write a lead melody part for him or her to play during the chorus or leave room for solos between verses, or both.
Some songs have a bridge. The bridge is often placed after a chorus or two, and serves to add a twist to the song. This section of the song typically offers a new musical idea that hasn't yet been heard, and is often used to build tension or intrigue the listener before returning to another verse or chorus.