A Step-by-Step Guide from a 30+ Year, Award-Winning Songwriter
Writing a song from scratch can feel intimidating—especially when you’re staring at a blank page or holding a guitar with no clear idea where to start.
After 30+ years of songwriting, I’ve learned that most people don’t struggle because they lack talent. They struggle because no one ever showed them a clear, repeatable way to begin.
This guide breaks down how to write a song from scratch using the same process I’ve relied on across decades of writing, performing, recording, and earning award-winning recognition for my work. There’s no fluff here—just practical steps that work in the real world.
Step 1: Start With One Clear Idea (Not a Full Song)
Every song starts with one thing, not everything.
A strong song idea can be:
- A lyric line or title
- A moment from your life
- A feeling you can’t shake
- A question or conflict
- A simple observation
Early in my songwriting journey, I made the mistake of trying to write entire songs in my head before writing anything down. After years of experience, I learned that great songs are built by focusing on one clear idea at a time.
Ask yourself:
What is this song really about?
If you can answer that in one sentence, you’re ready to move on.
Step 2: Find the Emotional Center of the Song
Before you think about rhyme, melody, or structure, you need to understand the emotional core of the song.
Is the song:
- Regretful?
- Hopeful?
- Angry?
- Reflective?
- Grateful?
- Heartbroken?
After decades of writing songs and performing them live, I’ve learned that listeners don’t connect to clever lines—they connect to emotion they recognize.
Define the emotional center early. It will guide every lyric choice you make.
Step 3: Write the Chorus First (If Possible)
One of the most effective songwriting techniques I’ve used over the years is starting with the chorus.
The chorus should:
- Clearly state the main idea
- Capture the emotional payoff
- Be easy to remember
- Feel honest, not forced
Award-winning songs aren’t complicated—they’re clear.
If you’re stuck, try finishing this sentence:
This song is really about…
Turn that idea into a simple chorus lyric. Don’t worry about perfection—clarity comes first.
Step 4: Build Verses That Show the Story
Once you know what the chorus says, the verses exist to prove it.
Verses should:
- Show moments and details
- Move the story forward
- Avoid repeating the chorus idea word-for-word
Over 30+ years of songwriting, I’ve learned that the best verses feel like scenes from a movie. Specific details make lyrics believable.
Instead of telling the listener how you feel, show them why.
Step 5: Keep the Structure Simple
You don’t need complex song structures to write strong songs.
A simple structure works:
- Verse
- Chorus
- Verse
- Chorus
- Bridge (optional)
- Final Chorus
Many award-winning songs I’ve written or studied follow this exact format. Complexity doesn’t make a song better—clarity does.
Once the song exists, you can always experiment later.
Step 6: Don’t Edit Too Early
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see new songwriters make.
Early drafts are supposed to be:
- Messy
- Incomplete
- Imperfect
After decades of writing, I can tell you this with certainty: you can’t fix a song that doesn’t exist.
Finish the song first. Editing comes later.
Step 7: Step Away, Then Rewrite With Fresh Ears
Once the song is written, walk away.
Come back later and ask:
- Is the message clear?
- Does every line earn its place?
- Is the chorus saying what it needs to say?
- Are there stronger, simpler words available?
This rewriting phase is where good songs become great. Many of my award-recognized songs didn’t start strong—they became strong through rewriting.
Step 8: Trust Your Voice and Write Often
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in 30+ years of songwriting is this:
Your voice only gets stronger by being used.
Don’t wait for inspiration. Don’t compare your drafts to finished songs by other writers. Write often. Finish songs. Learn from each one.
That’s how real songwriters are made.
Final Thoughts: Songwriting Is a Practice, Not a Trick
Writing a song from scratch isn’t about talent or luck—it’s about having a process you trust.
This process has carried me through decades of songwriting, live performances, releases, and award-winning recognition. It’s not the only way to write a song—but it’s a proven one.
If you keep showing up, staying honest, and finishing what you start, the songs will come.
And when they do—they’ll sound like you.
The easiest way to start a song is to focus on one clear idea or emotion, not an entire finished song. After 30+ years of songwriting, I’ve found that starting with a simple title, line, or feeling removes the pressure and creates momentum. Once you know what the song is about, the lyrics and structure become much easier to build.
A song is finished when the message is clear, the lyrics feel honest, and nothing extra is getting in the way of the emotion. After decades of songwriting and performing, I’ve learned that “perfect” is not the goal—clear and authentic is. If the song says what it needs to say and feels true, it’s ready.
There is no single “right” way. Some songs start with lyrics, others with a melody or chord progression. Over the years, I’ve written songs both ways. The key is to stay flexible and follow what feels natural for the idea you’re working on. What matters most is finishing the song, not how you begin it.
A song can take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks. Some of my strongest, award-recognized songs came together quickly, while others took multiple rewrites over time. Songwriting isn’t about speed—it’s about clarity and connection. The more consistently you write, the more efficient the process becomes.
No—you do not need music theory to write a good song. Many award-winning songs are built on simple chord progressions and strong emotional clarity. In my experience as a songwriter for over three decades, honesty, storytelling, and melody matter far more than technical knowledge. Music theory can help, but it’s not required to get started.
