Do you need some inspiration to write your lyrics? Perhaps you want to learn more about the techniques and structure of songs?
The best books about songwriting cover all aspects of creating original music; from your overarching theme to the minutiae of composing. Some offer personal experiences and are anecdotal, while others provide a more technical overview.
We’ve put together a list of those books that are widely considered to be helpful for songwriters.
Best books about songwriting
Perhaps you’re trying to overcome songwriters’ block and need a little inspiration, or have never written before and are unsure where to start. In this case, a book can really help. Songwriting is as much about the mindset as it is about writing. Strengthening your writing abilities, developing your mind and your imagination is all part of it.
So, what are the best books about songwriting? There are classics like Writing Better Lyrics which offer practical advice on how to improve your song lyrics and newer books like Songwriters on Songwriting that teaches you how to think like a songwriter.
Does reading books help with songwriting?
It does if you’re wired for reading. People have different learning styles, so don’t worry if books aren’t your thing. There are plenty of other ways to take in some tips and free resources you can take advantage of. If you prefer to listen to something, take a look at 17 of the top podcasts available for songwriters.
The best songwriting books for beginners
If you’re struggling to improve your songwriting or write better lyrics in general, it’s a good idea to get advice from professionals in the industry. Whether you’re a beginner or a maestro, there’s always room for improvement. One of the best ways to develop is to read as much as you can on the subject.
What should I read to become a songwriter?
Songwriters on Songwriting by Paul Zollo
If you’re looking for a book on songwriting that is less technical and more inspirational, then look no further than Songwriters on Songwriting. Paul Zollo has been an editor for many magazines, including Song Talk, Performing Songwriter and American Songwriter. His book is full of funny anecdotes and advice from the greatest songwriters of our time, such as Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Alanis Morissette, Lenny Kravitz and Lou Reed. The underlying message throughout the book and its interviews is that all songwriters, regardless of genre or generation, are united by the action of combining words and music to make songs.
How [Not] To Write A Hit Song!: 101 Common Mistakes to Avoid If You Want Songwriting Success by Brian Oliver
While the rest of the books on our list will focus on techniques, stories and lessons to improve your songwriting, How [Not] To Write A Hit Song! Takes it from a different angle, it covers common mistakes that you should avoid. Author Brian Oliver is an experienced music publisher, songwriter and music consultant and he encourages readers to spend time polishing their songs. It’s perfect for songwriters just starting out and looking to develop their own unique writing style while avoiding fundamental pitfalls in the development process.
The best songwriting books of all time
6 Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume
If you’re looking to get on the charts, then we highly recommend you read 6 Steps to Songwriting Success. Songwriter and teacher Jason Blume has worked with artists such as Diana Ross, Britney Spears and Kenny Rogers. He draws on this experience and knowledge as a hit-making songwriter to present an understandable, step-by-step approach to achieving a hit song. This book covers techniques such as three-step lyric writing (used by the pros), melody and demo checklists and tools for self-evaluation. It’s also a humorous read and features inspiring stories of how hit songs have been written and recorded.
Great Songwriting Techniques by Jack Perricone
Songwriting literature often focuses on writers’ anecdotal experiences. However, this is a book providing a practical and technical grounding in how to write good music. In Great Songwriting Techniques, composer Jack Perricone offers a series of lessons focusing on key elements of songwriting. From building blocks like melody, harmony, and rhythm to more advanced topics like lyric placement and tone texture. It also includes examples of exceptional songwriting from well-known artists such as Prince, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift.
The best books for songwriters
Writing Production Music for TV: The Road to Success by Steve Barden
If you want to make a regular and reliable income from your work, you should consider Writing Production Music for TV. This is suitable for novice and experienced songwriters alike and gives practical advice on how to sell your tunes for the telly.
Isle of Noises: Conversations with great British songwriters by Daniel Rachel
Many of the books on our list are by US authors. So to redress the balance, here’s one penned by a UK based writer. In Isle of Noises, he speaks to 27 British musicians about their own experiences cheating original music.
The best lyric writing books
Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison
In this book, Pattison takes the reader through a series of 17 steps, as a means of Writing Better Lyrics. It’s been around for 20 plus years but has been revised in that time. It is quite academic though, so will only work if you like to get right into your head. Writing Better Lyrics is ideal for both new and experienced songwriters and it covers techniques such as sensory writing, how to avoid clichés and ways to use repetition in a beneficial way.
A very useful technique from this book is ‘Objective Writing’. You pick an object and use your senses to write about it. These words then become the building blocks of your song. This technique is all about showing imagery and emotion, rather than just simply telling, allowing your audience to better connect with your songs. This simple exercise only takes ten minutes and is something that you can do daily as a commitment to your songwriting.
The Songwriters Idea Book by Sheila Davis
Author of the Craft of Lyric Writing and Successful Lyric Writing, lyricist Sheila Davis brings us The Songwriters Idea Book, a perfect read if you want to better your craft. In her book, Davis takes you through ‘40 strategies to excite your imagination, help you design distinctive songs and keep your creative flow’. This is a really great book for generating ideas and discovering new things in your own songwriting. You also get to understand your personality type from your strengths to temperament, and how to break out of your usual method of approaching lyric writing. It is broken down into nine easy to read chapters including topic strategies, such as beginning with a title first, and examples to illustrate these devices.
These books all bring something different in terms of songwriting, from practical step-by-step instructions and advice from famous and respected songwriters to pitfalls you should try to avoid. It’s a selection of what we believe to be the best songwriting books that are well worth a read, no matter where you are right now in your songwriting career.
Related Questions
How do I sell a song that I wrote?
First, you’ll need to create a professional standard recording in a studio. You can then add it to a sync library, for consideration in film and TV productions, send it to an artist who may be interested, or upload it to a streaming site for download.
Do songwriters make millions?
Not only will writing a really good original song help you to get noticed as an artist, but it can also be incredibly lucrative too. Jay-Z is worth over a billion dollars thanks to his music-making and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has amassed a similar net worth, despite never having sung a note of his own songs. But most songwriters do not make millions and many struggle to earn anything at all.