5 Pro Tips for Writing a Great Song Every Time

By Clay Mills & Marty Dodson

When it comes to writing consistently great songs, it’s not about chasing trends or being the cleverest writer in the room — it’s about crafting something real that resonates. Marty Dodson and I share five essential tips (plus a bonus!) that will elevate your writing every time you sit down to create.

1. Start With the Truth

Great songs begin with a core of honesty. Ernest Hemingway once said,
“All you have to do is write one true sentence.”

That advice applies perfectly to songwriting.

• Begin your writing session by focusing on something real — a truth you’ve experienced or felt.
• Try this exercise: Write down five things you’d genuinely like to say to someone in your life. That emotional truth can spark a powerful song idea.
• When a song starts from truth, it opens the door to authentic storytelling — and listeners can feel that.

* Pro Tip: Truth doesn’t have to mean fact. A fictional story can still feel true when rooted in authentic emotion.

2. Find a Unique Title or Angle

Not every great song starts with a groundbreaking title — but every great song needs a strong, fresh angle.

• A title like “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” may sound ordinary, but the emotional angle behind it made it a hit.
• Think of your title as the key that unlocks curiosity. It’s the first impression your song makes with an artist, publisher, or listener.
• If your song is competing in an inbox full of 100 pitches, a standout title can get it opened — and heard.

*Pro Tip: Aim for familiar feelings told in unexpected ways. A unique twist on a universal truth is songwriting gold.

3. Make It Believable

Believability isn’t about literal truth — it’s about emotional honesty.

• Clever lines can sometimes kill a song’s emotional impact. If your lyric sounds like a pickup line or a punchline, it may come off as insincere.
• Ask yourself: Would a real person actually say this? If not, it may be time to revise.
• The best songs feel like a conversation. They don’t announce themselves as “song lyrics.” They just feel real.

*Avoid:
“Your love is the compass in my hurricane heart.”
Clever imagery, but it reads more like a poem than a real emotion.

*Try:
“When everything’s spinning out of control, you’re the one I want to hold.”
Simple, heartfelt, and relatable.

4. Write Something You Care About

Your passion (or lack of it) comes through in your writing. Writing something you care deeply about creates energy and connection.

• If a story matters to you, chances are it will matter to someone else.
• Even if it’s not your personal story, proximity to the emotion — a loved one’s experience, a story you witnessed — can fuel authenticity.
• The emotional core matters more than the actual storyline.

*Pro Tip: Try writing down 5 things you’d like to say to someone.
Could be someone in your life now or from your past. This will give you some golden song ideas!

5. Study the Craft

Talent will take you far, but skill and discipline will take you further.

• Many potentially great songs are held back by avoidable technical mistakes.
• Learn the difference between verse and chorus structure, rhyme schemes, melodic phrasing — and how to use them with purpose.
• Writing songs that work consistently requires study and practice, not just inspiration.

*Lifelong Learners Win: The best writers never stop improving. Take courses, analyze great songs, and seek feedback.

Bonus Tip: Clarity Is King

You might have a beautiful message, but if your listener can’t follow the story — the power of your song is lost.

• Write clearly first, then go back and add poetic touches.
• Don’t trade clarity for cleverness. Say what you mean in a way listeners can grasp instantly.
• A clear, emotionally honest song will always beat one that tries too hard to impress.

Final Thought

Want to know how to write a great song every time you sit down?
Start with truth.
Aim for unique and relatable angles.
Make it believable.
Write from the heart.
And commit to learning your craft.

These principles have guided us through hundreds of cuts and hits — and they can guide you, too.

Need help with your writing?
Join thousands of songwriters at SongTown.com where we teach real-world songwriting techniques and connect you with a supportive community of writers worldwide.

Write on!
~Clay