« Wish we could turn back time
To the good old days
When our momma sang us to sleep but
Now we’re stressed out » — twenty one pilots
Do you find yourself in popular songs? That’s usually the goal of efficient songwriting. Most charting hits have features in common: their lyrics are generally relatable, conversational, or there to be borrowed. In recent #1 “Shape of You”, Ed Sheeran’s line I’m in love with the shape of you is relatable, The club isn’t the best place to find a lover so the bar is where I go is conversational, Your love was handmade for somebody like me is there to be borrowed. Although there is no perfect rule in lyrics crafting, great popular songwriting can be seen as a white tee-shirt: it has to look fine on everyone the same way, and be easy to wear and match with anything, regardless of the style or the shape of the user. Hit lyrics routinely say things you tell yourself or a significant other, or things you wish you could say/could have said/would love to hear said…
