Story-First Songwriting

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#026 - Use Pat Pattison's Development Engine and the 5 Commandments of Storytelling and develop your lyric idea.

Today we talk about how you can actually develop your lyric idea into an outline. That means no more struggles with what to put in the first verse or the dreaded second verse!

You might already be familiar with Pat Pattison’s approach. He’s calling it “Your Development Engine” by using boxes that are different in size. Even if you haven’t heard of his approach yet, and you’ll wonder what I mean by boxes in various sizes, I’ll give you a quick introduction to that concept in a couple of minutes.

And then, after learning about Pat’s approach, we’ll then expand that established concept with another storytelling concept to help you better flesh out the idea you have for your lyrics.

So if you struggle with not knowing how to put your idea into an outline, this episode is for you.

P.S. Check the show notes and download your free work- and cheatsheet!

Episode Overview:

[00:01:32] Why Storytelling Matters in Songwriting

[00:03:34] Introduction to Pattison’s Boxes

[00:04:03] Productive Repetition

[00:05:36] Development Engine – BOXES

[00:07:51] Verse Development

[00:11:22] The Story Grid’s 5 Commandments of Storytelling

[00:13:41] 5 Commandments in a chronologically told story in a song

[00:14:42] Commandment #1: Inciting Incident

[00:16:26] Commandment #2: The Turning Point Progressive Complication

[00:19:05] Commandment #3: Crisis

[00:20:32] Commandment #4: Climax

[00:20:56] Commandment #5: Resolution

[00:21:12] Verse Development by using the five commandments of storytelling

[00:22:49] “I’m A Believer” and the five commandments

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Coursera Songwriting Course with Pat Pattison

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#025 - Outline your lyric's idea by using six crucial questions and combine them with the Story Grid Diorama Model.

Today we talk about a songwriter’s six best friends.

You might have already heard about the term: Songwriter’s Six Best Friends in the book “Writing Better Lyrics” by Pat Pattison or in one of his courses.

But today, we want to make his concept more practical. We want to use a specific model that will help us visualize our six best friends.

At the end of today’s episode, you’ll be much clearer in how you can put your six best friends to use without wondering how it might all fit together.

You’ll get the glue delivered in this episode. So let’s go.

P.S. Check the show notes for your free work- and cheatsheet!


Episode Overview:

[00:01:35] A Songwriter’s Six Best Friends

[00:02:34] Lyric Writing: Who

[00:05:15] Lyric Writing: What

[00:06:26] Lyric Writing: When

[00:08:00] Lyric Writing: Where

[00:09:21] Lyric Writing: Why & How

[00:10:30] Story Grid Diorama Model

[00:14:55] Diorama Model & Six best Friends

[00:17:32] Preview


Links mentioned in this episode:

• Story Grid Trinity Seminar

• Pat Pattison: Writing Better Lyrics

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#024 - Do you want to write a great love song about the first kiss? Get inspired by using love story conventions to get your listeners into the mood.

Today we’ll do our second lyric study about the love story moment of the first kiss. And we’ll use the song “Rumor” by Lee Brice as today’s example to find out how you can pull it off to write about that special and exciting moment when two persons who are attracted to each other are about to share their first kiss.

And by studying the lyrics of this song, you’ll discover ...

• how you can use multiple love story conventions in a song without getting over the top
• and when it’s better to leave your story unresolved and end with a cliffhanger not to steal the spotlight from your song’s central idea.

Sound good?

So let’s get started.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:21] The S.O.N.G. Framework

[00:02:25] “Rumor” by Lee Brice

[00:04:43] 1. Summary (About)

[00:17:27] 2. Observer

[00:22:55] 3. Narration

[00:28:02] Analyzing the scene told in the song.

[00:36:16] Change

[00:38:18] Writing Techniques

[00:47:59] What we’ve learned from Rumor by Lee Brice

[00:50:30] Song Exercise - The First Kiss


Links mentioned in this episode:

• Rumor lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#023 - Not in the mood to write another song about love? Get inspired by other great topics to write about.

Let me ask you this:

Have you ever wondered if there’s anything other than writing a love song? 

It seems every second song seems to be about love. So there’s a huge demand for love stories. 

But still, can’t we write about something else for once?

But what else is there?

• How can we define some other options of things to write about?
• Where do we start? How can we come up with interesting ideas that really interest people?
• Are there some overall possibilities we could use, like some overall categories that can inspire us to know what to write about?

Today’s bite-sized episode will give you the answer, and I’ll include song examples that help you see each of those different topic versions applied.


Episode Overview:

[00:01:28] Recap of Crucial Components of Storytelling

[00:03:00] Universal Human Values in Stories

[00:06:08] Love Spectrum

[00:07:18] Life and Death Spectrum

[00:11:13] Story Example: Gladiator

[00:13:56] Crucial Components in a Love Story

[00:16:47] Lyric topic ideas by looking at different Story Content Genres

[00:18:03] Action 

[00:18:35] Crime

[00:19:20] Horror

[00:19:51] War

[00:20:24] Thriller

[00:20:57] Western

[00:21:07] Society

[00:21:30] Performance

[00:21:56] Summary of what we’ve learned about external content genres and universal human values

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#022 - The Most Important Element of a Story that Works – How to Show a Change between Beginning and Ending.

Honestly, you’re about to learn about one of the most important aspects that decide if you have a story or if it’s just a sequence of events where nothing happens at all. 

You might already know what I mean: Stories are about change. 

In each episode, I’m saying, “Stories are about change. Stories are about change.”

But what does “Change” actually mean?

• How can we end differently than we started?
• How can we show how our plot progresses?
• And how can we keep listeners engaged?

Well, in today’s bite-sized episode, you’ll discover how you can use that crucial element of storytelling for writing more captivating lyrics.

Are you ready?

Let’s get started.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:29] Recap of what we've learned so far

[00:02:27] Change in Stories

[00:03:37] What is a plot?

[00:06:20] Beginning - CHANGE - Ending

[00:09:21] Story Example: The Lion King

[00:12:10] Song Examples that Show Change

[00:12:18] “I’m A Believer” by The Monkees

[00:13:01] “Love Again” by Dua Lipa

[00:14:21] “Good Riddance / Time of Your Life” by Green Day

[00:15:05] “I’d Do Anything for Love” by Meat Loaf

[00:16:23] “You Asked for This” by Halsey

[00:17:19] “To Be Loved” by Adele

[00:18:32] Summary and Outro


Links mentioned in this episode:

• Song Exploder: https://songexploder.net/dua-lipa
• “I’m A Believer” – The Monkees – © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
• “Love Again” – Dua Lipa – © Silver Fox Music Limited, Tap Music Publishing Ltd., Best Coffee In Town, Tomboy Music Limited
• “Good Riddance / Time of your Life” – Green Day – © W.b.m. Music Corp., Green Daze Music
• “I’d do Anything for Love” – Meat Loaf – © Edward B Marks Music Company, Marks Edward B. Music Corp., Edward B. Marks Music Co.
• “You Asked for This” – Halsey – © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
• “To Be Loved” – Adele – © Universal Music Publishing Group

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#021 - No more struggles when you flesh out your lyric's idea.

Today we start with our first bite-sized episode to talk about one specific aspect of using the power of storytelling in writing lyrics.

Let me ask you this:

When it comes to finding ideas to write about, do you know how to turn that idea into lyrics? 

Do you know what components you actually need to turn that idea into an outline that will help you actually write the lines?

If you struggle with not knowing how to flesh out an idea, then this episode is for you.

We talk about the crucial components that you need to make your lyrics meaningful and to actually provide a takeaway for your listener. Those crucial components belong to the craft of storytelling. And they are amazing little helpers to help you transform your ideas into an outline for your song.

Does that sound like something you need to know more about?

Then today’s bite-sized episode is exactly what you need to listen to.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:34] Getting to know the Crucial Components of Storytelling

[00:02:59] Character

[00:03:22] Object of Desire / Want

[00:04:13] Increasing Obstacles

[00:04:48] Something must be at stake

[00:05:38] Make a Sacrifice

[00:07:04] External and Internal Change

[00:07:43] Message / Takeaway

[00:08:00] Red Notice - Crucial Components

[00:12:03] Crucial Components of a Story

[00:13:42] Crucial Components of Storytelling in Lyrics

[00:14:42] “I’m A Believer” by The Monkees

[00:19:33] Crucial Elements of Storytelling Summary


Links mentioned in this episode:
I'm A Believer lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#020 - Find out why change is better than repetition in writing the lyric's plot.

Today we’ll talk about Parachute’s song “Kiss Me Slowly.” This is the first song we analyze in the category of the love story moment of the First Kiss.

And you’re in for a surprise. 

The more we take that song apart, the more we discover why the lyrics actually confuse us and how we could have avoided that confusion. 

Not only that, but we also talk about three mistakes in writing lyrics that you should never make – especially if you want to use the power of storytelling to really empower your lyrics.

And I tell you one thing:

If you dread the second verse, there’s no need to worry anymore. Even the songwriters of this song struggled with the second verse. If you stick around to the end of the episode, I’ll give you some tips on how you could avoid writing a plot that does not progress and repeats itself.

Sound good?

Let's get started.

Here's what we cover:

[00:02:48] What you’ll learn in this episode

[00:05:05] "Kiss Me Slowly" by Parachute

[00:09:03] Step 1: Summary - What is the song about?

[00:28:30] Step 2: Observer - Who is the main character of the song?

[00:39:12] Step 3: Narration - Analyzing the storytelling craft.

[00:50:07] Analyzing the scene told in the song.

[00:59:13] The Change

[01:03:00] Writing Techniques

[01:11:55] Step 4: Gist - What is the message of the song?

[01:12:33] Songwriting Tips Summary

[01:14:07] Song Exercise - Confident Character


Links mentioned in this episode:
Kiss Me Slowly lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

Love is the most amazing feeling of all that we can experience – and if your song shares a heart-melting kissing moment, you have an unforgettable tale at your hands…

But if romance isn’t your type of thing to write about, you’re probably worried about how you’d pull it off. You want your song to be emotional and meaningful, but not sappy and cliché. Sooner or later, you’ll end up having to explore love songs about kissing at least briefly to create dynamic and varied relationships between characters. 

But… even if you’re in a happy relationship, you might still be lost on how to convey romance authentically in your songs.

So the question is:

How can you get to the heart of what makes the lyrics about your song’s characters’ kissing exciting and transfer that onto paper?

How do you write kissing lyrics that will truly accelerate your listeners’ pulse without being on the nose, fall into clichés, or use the words that have been said a thousand times before? 

Today I show you how you can create intimacy between your lovers and write about their attraction for each other so that you can build up to the moment of their First Kiss and make them kiss in your lyrics.

If that sounds like something you need to know, this episode is for you.

Here's what we cover:
[00:00:00] What all songwriters need to know about writing lyrics about the first kiss

[00:01:49] Telling Stories in Songs

[00:05:52] Recap: Love Stories in Songs

[00:08:39] Recap: The lovers’ first meet scene

[00:13:36] The “first kiss or intimate connection” love story moment

[00:23:48] How do we create intimacy?

[00:26:17] Why is finding the right words for your love song so hard?

[00:27:25] Step 1: How to Write Attraction to build up to the moment of the First Kiss

[00:35:30] Step 2: How to Write about the First Kiss in your lyrics

[00:39:19] Preview: Next Stories in Songs episode

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#018 - The Ultimate Guide To Writing Love Lyrics About The Lovers' First Encounter.

Do you want to write an original love song about the lovers' first encounter?

About that special moment when the possible future couple first lays eyes on each other?

But there are so many love songs out there and you don’t know what details to focus on and apply to your songwriting to find the best ways to write your original and innovative love song that will speak right to the heart of your listeners.

If that’s you, I’ve got great news for you.

Today’s episode, "15 Secrets Every Songwriter Must Know About Writing The Lyrics For A Lovers’ First Meet Scene." - is exactly what you're looking for!

It summarizes the 15 most helpful tips about writing the lovers’ first meet scene.

Those tips are the ultimate collection of what we’ve found out as we studied the lyrics of some wonderful songs about the lovers' first encounter in the last eight episodes.

Only by listening to this episode will you perfectly know what you need to focus on when writing about this kind of love song.

Additionally, you'll also learn about four different types of "Meet-Cute" scenes that we have not yet talked about to ignite your imagination.

I’ll also tell you about nine other love songs about the lovers’ first encounter that you can study to get even more inspired by different possible ways to write about that one love story must-have moment.

And I’ve got a big surprise for you at the end of this episode.

So if you want to be able to start working on your new original love song about the lovers’ first meet scene right away, then tune in to spark your imagination.

Here's what we cover:
[00:00:00] Discover the 15 secrets to writing the lyrics for the lovers' first meet scene.

[00:02:19] What can listening to the Stories in Songs Podcast do for you?

[00:06:43] Telling Stories in Songs

[00:08:01] Love Stories in Songs

[00:10:20] The lovers’ meet scene

[00:12:11] Option 1: Lovers First Meet Scene - Mutual attraction

[00:14:32] Option 2: Lovers First Meet Scene - Only one character is instantly attracted to the other one but the other character is disinterested

[00:16:27] Option 3: Lovers First Meet Scene - Mutually disinterested

[00:19:14] Option 4: Lovers First Meet Scene - Missing Courage to act or feeling too overwhelmed to act

[00:20:56] Advice for using those options for your songwriting

[00:23:01] 15 Tips for writing a lovers’ first meet scene in your song.

[00:52:23] More “Meet-Cute” Songs to study

[00:55:16] Preview: Next Stories in Songs episodes

✅ Stop guessing if your lyrics work. Learn story-first songwriting and turn every idea into music-ready lyrics with a proven, repeatable system. Join our community: Story-First Songwriting on Skool.👉 ⁠skool.com/songwriting/about⁠

#017 - One songwriting trick to help you use the most essential element of great storytelling to your songwriting advantage.

If you've been having a hard time finishing the lyrics of a song you're stuck in and being objective about your own material, then this podcast episode - "The Simplest Way to Start and Finish Song Lyrics that Mean Something! " - is exactly what you're looking for!

It shows you one songwriting trick to help you stay on topic in your lyrics and write something meaningful AND helps you figure out how you can use the most essential element of great storytelling to your songwriting advantage.

We will study the lyrics of Placebo’s song “Special K” to talk about this great songwriting trick. 

And furthermore, I will explain each question of each step of the S.O.N.G. framework that we use for discovering the storytelling power of lyrics to help you make better sense of why those questions not only help you improve your lyric writing skills, but also help you revise your lyrics, push them to a higher level, and discover your skills as a storyteller.

So if you want to know the easiest way to start and finish the lyrics of a song that uses the power of storytelling to deliver a message to your listeners, then listen to episode 17 of the Stories in Songs Podcast.

Here's what we cover:

[00:01:50] What you’ll learn in this episode

[00:04:23] "Special K" by Placebo

[00:07:13] Step 1: Summary - What is the song about?

[00:23:46] Step 2: Observer - Who is the main character of the song?

[00:37:24] Step 3: Narration - Analyzing the storytelling craft.

[00:43:56] Analyzing the scene told in the song.

[00:52:10] The Change

[01:00:36] Writing Techniques

[01:04:51] Step 4: Gist - What is the message of the song?

[01:10:11] Songwriting Tips Summary

[01:12:21] Song Exercise - The Lovers Meet