Ryan Tedder's Proven Formula For Writing GREAT Lyrics

Learn how legendary hit-maker Ryan Tedder writes, records, and produces hit songs.

In his exclusive class on Studio, Ryan takes you into his studio and teaches you his complete hit-making process — the same process he’s used to write “Halo” for Beyonce, “Rumour Has It” for Adele, "Sucker" for the Jonas Brothers, and countless other hits for Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, John Legend, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Cardi B, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Shawn Mendes, Lil Nas X..

00:00 Intro
00:29 How To Find a Concept
06:12 Turning Gibberish into Lyrics
08:17 Chorus Lyrics
14:32 The Idea
16:07 Recording the Chorus
18:18 Refining The Lyrics

[DynoMusik]

12:33 This moment is probably the daily reality for 99% of producers 😂

[Breakingtheglasswall]

Five minutes in, best lyric writing advice I've ever heard.

[thierrypr]

It's interesting how as a songwriter I got into this pattern of structuring my songs, writing the most dumb and catchy chorus and writing what I felt like would become a hit song or song that would please people, and I did right some bangers songs (from what people that came to see my shows told me), but in the end I completely lost sight of who I was. And felt like after that I was sticked with one genre and that I needed on keeping writing the same kind of songs to keep this facade.

Now I listen to people like kacey musgraves or listen to what bruce sprinsteen and great other legends have to say about songwriting tips on youtube and it really helps me bringing back my essence.

Music shouldn't be about wishing that other people are gonna like your songs. it isn't called art for nothing.

[jackmove]

7:29 girls like you - maroon 5 ? hmmm in every hit there is another hit

[AlexDMast]

there should be a Netflix special dedicated to all the clips of people casually namedropping celebs that they have on speed dial

[JD.TheMusician]

I did this course and highly recommend it.

[ANGELSVEN]

This is my favorite videos EVER for songwriting. I feel like I'm in the studio with my engineer (Florian Ammon - Pink, Quincy Jones, Rammstein). What's striking to me is that this song has a REGGAE feel (emphasis on the 2 and the 4 via guitar up stroke) on a pop or country song! Ha, ha! Love it! And I'm sitting here saying "Yes" and "No" and mumbling a possible lyric like I'm editing with you. :D lol How you work and observing your instincts validates my own decisions and instincts I make in the studio - I just hear what needs to be done or what could be better or what doesn't work - so thank you. I GET you. It's been a blast, Ryan. :) Would LUV to see more of this type of songwriting session video.

[Aninha-fbpo]

Is it just me, or does this melody sound like a blend of "Girls Like You", "Hey, Soul Sister" and "I'm Yours"?

[Zachan_TedkinsO_]

You're an amazing artist Ryan. Thank you for your contribution to the music industry

[jamiegreymusic]

Fair play to Ryan for recording this process. Opening yourself up to your process and for it to potentially turn out bad which this certainly is not is brave

[jodywhite.songs.]

This is the best advice on songwriting Iv ever heard Hope he does more. Content

[alane_j]

There are a lot of great thoughts here and it's really cool to watch your process and explanation.

[acecomet]

It s Great recepies for fast food song. There is tons of song with these type of melodies and progressions but it works . I miss good old days before we started using loops. Good video man 🤙

[DorothyOzmaLover]

Ryan's a treasure w/ his notes so this is bliss!

[mbywik]

Ryan is the reason I keep pushing. Why I won't quit. Every time I see his process it feels like he's daring me to be better, love this dude

[RichardRosiles]

Get em!! I'm guilty of piecing things together, they make sense to me but may not read the best.

[mrsambates]

This studio sesh is pure gold! Getting a walkthrough of this genius’s workflow it’s priceless. Highly recommend taking his course for any songwriter, producer and artist. I’ve taken it, and it’s really a game changer.

[davigama]

Here after cowboy carter release!!! Queen B and MC killing it!!!
Ryan WE LOVE YOU

[calvin]

I like that headset. It beautiful. Must be very expensive to buy one!!

[Kay-grxm]

So informative, loved this!

Because you mentioned hell, I imagined there being a contrast at some point in the song.
That line where you had
“And when I lay me down to sleep..”
For the follow-up line, I thought of:
“I’m ascending to heaven cause I know I’m loved by you”

There’s that literal meaning of simply laying down to sleep but also a deeper meaning of laying down to sleep referencing death. It plays into this “saved by you” message whether it be in living or death. The person is content knowing they’ve lived a full life because they’ve had the privilege of having that person in their life.

I would love to work with you one day!!