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Before you start to write your songs, it helps to listen other songwriters’ work so you can get a feel for what makes a successful song. Don’t just listen to songs in the genre that you enjoy, though. You can learn something from every type of song, so analyze pop, rock, country, rap, folk, dance, and other types of music and see what you like about each song. Pay close attention to the lyrics of the songs that you listen to. See which ones move you emotionally, so you can try to figure out how to create a similar effect with your own music. When you listen to music, pay attention to the composition of the songs. Composition refers to how the songs are put together. Most songs typically feature two to three verses and two to three choruses. The verses tell the story or set the scene for your song, while the chorus is a simple, repetitive section that usually draws the listener in. As you listen to a song, try to break it down into these components.  Some songs contain a bridge in addition to the verses and chorus. A bridge is usually a section that helps take the song in a new direction. In many cases, it’s instrumental and may feature changes in key, tempo, chords, or instrumentation. The common layout for a song with a bridge is: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus.  In some cases, a song may contain a pre-chorus, which serves a transition between the verses and the chorus. Some songs features intros and outros, which help establish and expand the song’s main theme. It can be comprised solely of instrumentals or feature a combination of vocals and instruments. It may help to print out the lyrics or purchase the sheet music for some songs. That way, you can diagram the songs and label each section as what it is. The best songs are ones that are rooted in personal observations and emotions. You’ll find inspiration for your songs in the things that you see around you and the experiences in your life, so it helps to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Your entries don’t have to be fully formed lyrics -- just get your feelings down and you can develop them into catchy lyrics later.  Carry your journal with you all the time. You never know when an idea for a song or specific lyric will hit you. Sometimes, it’s easier to sing an idea that comes to you. Use a recording app on your phone to hum a chorus or melody line that you come up with suddenly. There is no right way to compose a song. Some songwriters start with the lyrics and then put a melody or chords to the words. Others start with a melody or chord progression and then add the lyrics later. See which approach feels most natural for you, and go to work writing your song.  If you have a specific story or idea that you want to convey in your song, it may be best to start with the lyrics. If you want to capture a certain mood, starting with the melody or chords may be a better approach. When you’re trying to figure out a chord progression for your song, just play chords that you think sound good together. In music theory, there are certain chords that are commonly played together, but you’ll never know if a progression will work until you play it. When you’re having trouble coming up with lyrics, it’s okay to hum nonsense words or syllables until you establish a basic melody for the song. Once you’ve finished writing the song and you’ve practiced it, it’s time to make a recorded version of it. By recording it, you’ll be able to listen back to it to see if there’s any room for improvement, but you’ll also have a version that you can post online for exposure, or send to record companies as a demo.  If you have the money to book a session at a professional recording studio, that is definitely the best option. Do an online search for studios in your area. If you don’t have the budget for a professional recording session or don’t have any studio nearby, don’t worry. You can make a strong recording with a good quality microphone and the right computer software at home.

Summary:
Listen to a variety of genres. Study song composition. Keep a journal. Decide the best approach for your song. Record your song(s).