How to Write Lyrics to a Pop Song
Friedrich Nietzsche said, "Life without music would be an error." Despite the repercussions this notion may have for the hearing impaired, Nietzsche also didn't have to listen to the music seeping from the speakers of radios dialed to modern pop stations. Nevertheless, the artists who write the songs that plague our airwaves seem to be doing pretty good financially. So if you want to join them in the ranks of the rich and disastrous, write a pop song. Here's how.
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Instructions
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Pick your topic. Most pop songs range very little in subject matter. Write about how much you love someone, how much someone loves you, how much everyone loves you, how much money you have (unless it's not a lot--that'd just be depressing), the jewels in your teeth, a dance move or about partying.
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Use unique or made up language. It's good to bring new ways of expressing oneself to the culture and pop songs are some of the best places to introduce new words. Look at urbandictionary.com for inspiration (see Resources below).
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Wear sunglasses. This may not have a lot to do with writing a pop song, but you'd be hard pressed to find a pop star that doesn't wear shades. Some things you just can't question.
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Have a gimmick. The gimmick of the song is what sets it apart from the other songs. It could be something like yelling "What," like Lil John, or adding "izzle" after the first letter of words, like E-40 and Snoop Dog. The gimmick is best placed in the chorus of the song.
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Tips & Warnings
Learn the verse/chorus/verse structure of pop songs before you write.
Having a melody in for the lyrics to be sung to is helpful but not necessary.
You can never be too modest--don't even try.
