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Songwriting Guides > Writing a song > Beginnings Songwriting Guides
Writing a song Beginnings

The way you start your song is like greeting a stranger, your audience will make a lasting judgment on who you are and whether they like you almost instantly. You need to make a positive first impression; how do songwriters achieve this?
Just like a journalist writing an article for a magazine or newspaper, the first line in your song must grab your listener's attention.

Executives often decide whether they're interested in a song within 40 seconds.
Steve Hillier

Here's an example of an intriguing first line in a song:
There is freedom within
There is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup

Don't Dream It's Over (Neil Finn)
It's not entirely clear what the song is about at this point, but we get an instant impression that there is a problem that needs to be overcome. But what is it? We have to listen to the rest of the song to find out.
You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you…
Don't You Want Me (Callis/Oakey/Wright)

By these opening lines, we know that this song is telling us a story and so we want to know what happens next.

Gwen Dickey Gwen Dickey
The singer of 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' explains why writer Miles Gregory really was writing the song through his tears.
Listen to the interview
Audio help

Barry Mann Barry Mann
'I came up with the opening line' Barry talks about writing 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' with Cynthia Weil.
Listen to the interview
Audio help It is often said that record company executives decide whether they are interested in a song or artist within the first 40 seconds of hearing their CD. With that in mind, here are some ideas to grab their attention:

• The first line of your song could be a question or instruction eg, 'Is it asking too much?' (Stars by Dubstar), 'Tell me what you think about me' (Independent Woman by Destiny's Child)
• Some words are best avoided for your first line. Non-committal words such as 'probably' or 'maybe' can sound very weak. Similarly, words that generalise are not attention grabbing eg, recently, generally, usually
• Many great songs use the title in the first line eg, 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police. This is a good way to ensure that your audience remembers your song title and buys your CD too.
• Start singing early, preferably within 16 bars . Long instrumental sections at the start of songs can be very tedious, especially for the first time listener.

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