As someone who spends a lot of time writing and listening to music, I’ve noticed something: the lyrics in today’s songs don’t always hit the same way they used to. Sure, there are still great writers out there pouring their hearts into their work. But overall, the way songs are written and produced has shifted — and not always in the best direction for storytelling and depth.
Let’s break it down.
Songs Are Getting Shorter
Back in the day, songs had room to breathe. They could stretch to four or five minutes, unfolding a story line by line. Each verse brought a new perspective, a twist, or a deeper emotional punch.
Now? Most songs clock in at two and a half minutes. Streaming platforms reward shorter tracks because they rack up more plays. Add to that our shrinking attention spans, and you get songs that often feel rushed. Verse, chorus, hook, done. It works for playlists, but it doesn’t leave much room for storytelling.
The Hook Has Taken Over
Hooks have always been important. A great hook can turn a good song into a timeless one. But today, it feels like the entire song is built around that one catchy line.
Instead of verses that build layers and paint a picture, we get the same hook repeated again and again. It’s catchy, sure — but it’s like fast food for your ears. Quick satisfaction, not much depth. Compare that to classics where every verse added something new, and you’ll see what’s missing.
Production Rules the Day
Don’t get me wrong — modern production is impressive. Beats, drops, autotune, layered effects — songs today sound slick. The problem is, the production often overshadows the lyrics.
In the past, lyrics stood front and center. Even if you stripped away the instruments, the words could stand alone as poetry. Today, you could swap out the lyrics for something totally different, and most listeners wouldn’t notice, because the production is carrying the song.
What We’ve Lost
What I miss most are lyrics that mattered. Pulling out the record sleeve, reading along, and feeling every line. You knew the songwriter had poured their heart into those words.
Now, so many songs are written for algorithms, TikTok virality, or playlist placement. It’s not necessarily bad — it’s just a different game. But I can’t help but feel that we’ve lost some of the honesty and depth that made music timeless.
Final Thoughts
Music is still alive and well, and there are always exceptions. But when it comes to lyrics, the golden days had a little more soul, a little more story.
As a songwriter, I try to keep that tradition alive — because at the end of the day, lyrics are the heartbeat of a song.
What do you think? Do today’s lyrics stand up to the classics, or are we settling for less? Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear your take.
