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10 Common Mistakes in Songwriting
Beginner songwriters often make various mistakes that make their songs sound overloaded, unmusical, or illogical. In this article, we’ll look at 10 of the most common mistakes in songwriting.
Table of Contents
- Ignoring line length and rhythm
- Lack of song structure
- Overloading with too many meanings (or none at all)
- No rhymes or inconsistent rhyming
- Switching verb perspectives (1st, 2nd, 3rd person)
- Making the song too long
- A weak chorus emotionally
- No dynamic development in the song
- Using difficult syllable combinations
- Using cliche phrases and rhymes
- Conclusion
Top 10 Songwriting Mistakes
Mistake #1: Ignoring line length and rhythm (too many words that don’t fit the meter)
Solution: Use a metronome or find instrumental tracks online and write lyrics to them. Later, you can order a custom arrangement and adapt your lyrics to it. Having a clear rhythmic guide makes it easier to sing your lines aloud and notice where they’re too long or too short.
Try these metronomes: Google Metronome, Musicca Metronome, Metronomus or others.
Try these metronomes: Google Metronome, Musicca Metronome, Metronomus or others.
Mistake #2: Lack of song structure (lyrics written as one continuous block, no verses, choruses, or other sections)
Solution: To keep your song from being boring or monotonous, think about what will make it memorable. Most listeners remember the chorus (the hook) first—it could be lyrics or just a catchy wordless melody.
At minimum, a song should have 2 verses and 2–3 choruses. You can also add a pre-chorus, bridge, or coda:
At minimum, a song should have 2 verses and 2–3 choruses. You can also add a pre-chorus, bridge, or coda:
- Pre-chorus prepares the listener for the chorus.
- A bridge gives variety before the final chorus.
- A coda can close the song by repeating the intro (in the same or a modified way).
Mistake #3: Overloading with too many meanings, or having no meaning at all
Solution: Don’t try to cram too many ideas into one song. A song should have one central message around which everything is built. Usually, this appears in the chorus—but not always. If you jump from theme to theme, listeners may not understand what the song is really about.
Before writing, sketch a quick plan: what Verse 1 will say, what Verse 2 will say, what the Chorus will deliver, etc. This helps keep the main idea consistent.
Before writing, sketch a quick plan: what Verse 1 will say, what Verse 2 will say, what the Chorus will deliver, etc. This helps keep the main idea consistent.
Mistake #4: No rhymes or inconsistent rhyming
Solution: Rhymes can be structured in many ways: internal rhymes, couplets, alternating lines, or cross-rhymes between lines. The key is symmetry.
It’s not mandatory to rhyme every line, but if half the text has rhymes and the other half doesn’t, the song will sound unbalanced. Near rhymes and assonance can also work well.
If you can’t find rhymes, use online rhyme generators like RhymeZone, Rhymer.com, NameRobot Rhyme Tool, ToolBaz AI, etc.
It’s not mandatory to rhyme every line, but if half the text has rhymes and the other half doesn’t, the song will sound unbalanced. Near rhymes and assonance can also work well.
If you can’t find rhymes, use online rhyme generators like RhymeZone, Rhymer.com, NameRobot Rhyme Tool, ToolBaz AI, etc.
Mistake #5: Switching verb perspectives (1st, 2nd, 3rd person)
Solution: Decide from whose perspective the lyrics are written:
❌ Incorrect example:
“A car hit me, and you are flying from the impact.”
✅ Correct example:
“A car hit me, and I am flying from the impact.”
- First person (“I”)
- Second person (“You”)
- Third person (“He/She/They”)
❌ Incorrect example:
“A car hit me, and you are flying from the impact.”
✅ Correct example:
“A car hit me, and I am flying from the impact.”
I’ll write unique lyrics and a catchy melody for your song.
Learn more on the Custom Song Lyrics page.
I can also offer a full song creation cycle—from the initial idea to the final mastering. Learn more on the Custom Song from Scratch (Full Production) page.
Learn more on the Custom Song Lyrics page.
I can also offer a full song creation cycle—from the initial idea to the final mastering. Learn more on the Custom Song from Scratch (Full Production) page.
Mistake #6: Making the song too long
Solution: Time how long it takes to perform the song. The lyrics alone should be about 2–2.5 minutes when sung. If it’s shorter, add something; if longer, cut back. You can also adjust tempo.
Remember: once music is added, there will be intros, instrumental breaks, and endings. These extend the length. While there are exceptions, the standard total duration of modern songs is about 3–3.5 minutes.
Remember: once music is added, there will be intros, instrumental breaks, and endings. These extend the length. While there are exceptions, the standard total duration of modern songs is about 3–3.5 minutes.
Mistake #7: A weak chorus emotionally
Solution: The chorus (hook) is the most anticipated and important part of a song. It’s usually what people remember most. Depending on the genre, it can carry a powerful lyrical message—or be almost wordless, driven by sound or melody.
What matters is that it feels different from the verses—more melodic, more energetic, and more memorable.
What matters is that it feels different from the verses—more melodic, more energetic, and more memorable.
Mistake #8: No dynamic development in the song
Solution: Imagine how each part of the lyrics will be performed. A good song has dynamics—contrasts that bring it to life.
For example:
For example:
- In a ballad, the intensity might gradually build to a climax at the end.
- In an upbeat track, you might start with a strong impact, then pull back, then build up again for another big moment.
Mistake #9: Using difficult syllable combinations
Solution: Sing your lyrics out loud at different tempos. If certain words are awkward to pronounce, replace them.
If you’re writing lyrics for someone else, ask others to try singing them. If they struggle, changes are needed. The final performer—and the audience—should find the lyrics easy and natural to sing.
Of course, you can record tricky phrases by takes in the studio—but how will they be performed live? This must be considered.
If you’re writing lyrics for someone else, ask others to try singing them. If they struggle, changes are needed. The final performer—and the audience—should find the lyrics easy and natural to sing.
Of course, you can record tricky phrases by takes in the studio—but how will they be performed live? This must be considered.
Mistake #10: Using cliche phrases and rhymes
Solution: Avoid overused rhymes like “love–above,” “heart–apart,” “fire–desire,” etc. These have been used in thousands of songs and poems.
If you use one or two, that’s fine. But if half your lyrics consist of clichés, the song won’t stand out.
To check originality, search your phrase online. If it shows up rarely, it’s probably safe to use. If it appears in many songs, look for alternatives.
If you use one or two, that’s fine. But if half your lyrics consist of clichés, the song won’t stand out.
To check originality, search your phrase online. If it shows up rarely, it’s probably safe to use. If it appears in many songs, look for alternatives.
Conclusion
Of course, there are many other mistakes in songwriting—but these are some of the most common.
Music is not an exact science—it leaves endless room for creativity. Many “mistakes” have led to something fresh and innovative.
However, listeners are also used to certain conventions. When they don’t hear what they expect, their reaction can range from “Hmm, interesting, something new” to “This is unlistenable.”
So, if your goal is to write songs that fit mainstream formats, it’s worth keeping these common mistakes in mind. If instead you want to be a trailblazer and break the rules, that’s admirable—but it’s not an easy path.
Either way—good luck with your songwriting! 🎶
Music is not an exact science—it leaves endless room for creativity. Many “mistakes” have led to something fresh and innovative.
However, listeners are also used to certain conventions. When they don’t hear what they expect, their reaction can range from “Hmm, interesting, something new” to “This is unlistenable.”
So, if your goal is to write songs that fit mainstream formats, it’s worth keeping these common mistakes in mind. If instead you want to be a trailblazer and break the rules, that’s admirable—but it’s not an easy path.
Either way—good luck with your songwriting! 🎶
I have over 10 years of experience working with sound and music, including writing lyrics and instrumentals for songs.
You can explore my services: Custom Song Lyrics, Custom Song from Scratch (Full Production), or Other Services.
I’ll be glad to help you create a song that will spark powerful emotions in you and your listeners!
You can explore my services: Custom Song Lyrics, Custom Song from Scratch (Full Production), or Other Services.
I’ll be glad to help you create a song that will spark powerful emotions in you and your listeners!
Sergei Bakhtin
mixing engineer, music producer, songwriter
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