H.E.R.'s Simple Method For Writing GREAT Lyrics | Studio Deep Dive

Learn from Charlie Puth, Kygo, Ryan Tedder, H.E.R., Louis Bell, Tainy, and more.

In this video, songwriters Keppie Coutts and Benny Romalis analyze H.E.R.'s songwriting techniques to come up with great lyrics.

00:00 Intro
00:42 Finding The Theme And The Title
04:31 Building Lyrics From The Title
09:39 Developing The Sections
13:25 4 Action Steps For You

[eddieftw]

I always feel like gibberish is where the magic is. It allows us to feel the vowels that fit well with the melody.

[MoonSwitchMusic]

1:21 - "I don't want you, I want tomato" - I felt that

[vish-s]

she took trust the process to another level

[musicbysazid]

00:00 📝 Clarity matters more than poetry in lyrics; being clear and certain about your words makes a difference.
00:26 🧠 Start with a simple but effective technique for crafting lyrics out of an initial idea.
01:47 🎶 Let the music inspire words; consider personal feelings and let the music guide the song's direction.
03:31 🗣 Experiment with mumbles and gibberish; don't worry about sounding pretty initially.
04:23 🕰 Trust the process; once a central theme like "ultimatum" emerges, connect every lyric tightly to it.
06:41 📖 Follow the story line; think about what you're saying to continue the conversation and avoid repetitive filler lines.
08:23 💡 Ask questions to develop the story; delve into the "why" and connect new ideas back to the established theme or title.
09:35 🎵 Establish a theme or title early on; everything in the song should connect back to and flow from this central element.
11:46 🗣 Make lyrics conversational; cleverly convey "take it or leave it" without explicitly saying it.
13:58 🎼 Songwriting steps: 1) Simple chord progression, 2) Develop a melody, 3) Find a theme or title, 4) Connect every lyric to the theme for a cohesive song.

[em]

Love this girl, she lets her talent and music speak for itself, no gimmicks or attention seeking, just Art

[justincase]

"baby I'm frustrated, because I love you and i hate it" She's just on another level.

[JasonPruett]

some lyrics are poetry others are riddles still others are mind palaces (a mnemonic device used to recall large amounts of information). Sometimes its not the writer creating the lyrics but the words seem to write themselves as if someone else is writing it through you. If that happens to you it means the song is MEANT for the whole world to hear it because the message is very important.

[janedoe]

I have so much respect for H.E.R as an artist and a person. I had the privilege of meeting this amazing young person and she understands the assignment fully. She understands giving back and sharing her professional knowlegede. a rare gem. I wish continued success and longevity to her.

[EqDior]

Throughout my years of music gibberish has always made for a more creative melody/ song... it's a gold mine!

[AaronHubley]

this is identical to how I've been writing songs for a decade. super cool!! What I'm enjoying is that she's able to do this in front of other people. I've always felt like a weirdo using my personal approach when working with other artists.

I've been taking different approaches in the past few months, trying to write words first, etc. but nothing holds a candle to exposing your subconscious with mumbles! <3

[mikedanielofficial]

12:40 - H.E.R, you need to release this song, it's so good, and your voice, my god, heaven sent

[Workinnout]

This is exactly how I write lyrics, I first make the beat or if I have a melody I mumble it and come back later to fill in the words…the flow is waaaay better that way! ❤

[alishaendre]

This is literally how I’ve written songs for years. I LOVE seeing this in action!!! She’s so talented. Love H. E. R. 🤍🤍🤍

[ShredderTainment]

Hard place is the best creation. And then there is “carried away”. It’s so nice to see how she creates these.

[jaymzgaetz]

With all the talent shows and interviews with artists there's zero content about the actual songwriting structure and process. Thanks for this.

[TriggaTreDay]

Yall this was genius 🤯!!!. I’m not a song writer, but I am learning to play the guitar and piano and during this time I have been learning and practicing singing other people’s songs and what I have found is that I naturally want to make my own music. HER is really that girl!! I hope she comes out with that song because it’s so real. Too many people are currently in situations like that and I think it could be a hit. ❤

[fearthetube]

Interesting way to write a song…rather than having something to say, you create a story around the melody…you can make a point either way, one’s just more passive. Kudos.

[Ayesha_Michelle]

Her guitar playing is so instrumental in creating lyrics too❤

[Isaiahxford]

Wow her voice is beautiful live, just the raw vocals hits different. Sounds so effortless

[JimmyTanglesRecordingCo.]

A true talent! Writer, musician, Singer, creator, performer, rapper……!!! H.E.R IS REALLY ON ANOTHER LEVEL!!