Say it in a Song: Valentine's Day Songwriting Tips from an Expert
By Rosanna Ferro
Rosanna Ferro is a songwriter sharing her expertise on the SKILLR App. She’s walking us through five ways to compose a song just in time for Valentine’s Day. Read on to learn her best tips for beginners so you can turn your love into a bop. Book her on the SKILLR App @rosannaferro.
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? There’s nothing quite like writing a personalized song or poem for the one you love! If you’re brand new to songwriting, here are five ways to compose your song.
1. Make a list of any adjectives that best describe your valentine.
If you’re aiming to write something for Valentine’s Day, consider words that are heartfelt and complimentary. For example, you can use words like thrilling, stunning, warm, soulful, sweet, strong, caring, hypnotic, fun or understanding. What words come to mind when you think of your special someone? Look up synonyms for more wordplay. You can even make a separate list of words to describe yourself when you’re with your significant other. Use words like lucky, happy, amazed and beguiled. Be creative!
2. List your favorite memories.
Or, if you’re writing about someone new, make a list of memories you would like to create together. This is an imaginative way of composing your unique story. You can write about the day you met, a special occasion, a vacation or just what your usual days feel like when you’re together.
3. Make up a title.
A title about how your valentine makes you feel can inspire the direction of your lyrics. If your song is called “I Can’t Imagine Life Without You,” you could further elaborate on your life together. A title like “You are Everything to Me” can frame some of the adjectives you came up with. Think of popular romantic songs for inspiration. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “I Will Always Love You” are simple, yet expressive titles. Speak from your heart!
4. Use your senses.
When you think of your times together, what did you see, smell, feel and hear? This is a clever way to create imagery in your lyrics. Did you feel the summer wind when you kissed or did you dance to a groovin’ beat at a party? Did you get caught in the rain or catch each other slipping on the snow? Try to write about senses you experienced together. This will paint a romantic picture.
5. Put it all together in a paragraph or two!
In song lyrics, a paragraph is commonly called a verse. Try writing a four-line verse. Take some of your adjectives, your memories and your romantic title and turn that into your own four-line story about this incredible person in your life. If you still have more to say, try writing four more lines! For more impact, put your title at the beginning or end of each verse you compose.
You don’t have to be a professional songwriter to write from your heart. Go ahead and take risks. Have fun with it! Remember, you’re writing about one of the most inspiring people in your life. Let that inspiration guide you. I hope these songwriting prompts will inspire you to tell your own love story.
Need some assistance composing your song? Connect with Rosanna on the SKILLR App to get help putting your love into words.
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