LYRIC CHEAT SHEET (LCS)
Lesson 8: Sing-ability
Action Points:
Great and memorable songs have lyrics that are easy to sing!
And such lyrics consist of two things:
- simple language and
- word with lots of vowels and fewer consonants
So when you write your next song, ask yourself this question:
Can this be easier to sing, so other people can too?
Answer this question for every song part, and you'll be miles ahead of most songwriters! Because they don't put as much effort in as you do! So follow these steps and write the most memorable song you can!
Songs That Use This Concept:
Gossip by Maneskin
[Chorus]
Sip the gossip, drink 'til you choke
Sip the gossip, burn down your throat
You're not iconic, you are just like them all
Don't act like you don't know, so
Sip the gossip, drink 'til you choke
Sip the gossip, burn down your throat
You're not iconic, you are just like them all
Don't act like you don't know, oh
Explanation
These lines use simple language and short, repetitive phrases, making the chorus easy for anyone to sing along to. The repetition of “sip the gossip” and vowel-heavy wording helps make the melody flow effortlessly and stick in your head. By avoiding complexity and packing the hook with memorable, singable lines, the chorus is a textbook example of the L8 Sing-ability technique.
Starboy by The Weeknd
[Chorus]
I'm a motherfuckin' starboy
Look what you've done
I'm a motherfuckin' starboy
Look what you've done
I'm a motherfuckin' starboy
Explanation
These lines use short words, simple phrases, and easy-to-repeat melodies, making the chorus incredibly singable for any listener. The repetition of “I’m a motherfuckin’ starboy” ensures the message is clear and sticks in your head, while the vowels and rhythm allow voices of all types to join in. By focusing on simplicity, repetition, and catchy phrasing, this chorus delivers exactly what L8 Sing-ability calls for.
Crawling by Linkin Park
[Chorus]
Crawling in my skin
These wounds they will not heal
Fear is how I fall
Confusing what is real
Explanation
Simple words and a clean structure give this chorus instant sing-ability. Each line stands on its own and is easy to remember and sing, strengthened by repeating sounds and straightforward, emotional language. There's no unnecessary complexity, making it accessible to a wide range of listeners.
Ed Sheeran by Shape Of You
[Verse 1]
A club isn't the best place to find a lover
So the bar is where I go (Mm)
Me and my friends at the table doin' shots
Drinkin' fast and then we talk slow (Mm)
And you come over and start up a conversation with just me
And trust me, I'll give it a chance now (Mm)
Take my hand, stop, put Van the Man on the jukebox
And then we start to dance, and now I'm singin' like
Explanation
These lines use clear visual storytelling—you see a crowded bar, friends doing shots, hands reaching for the jukebox, and dancing starting. Ed Sheeran “shows” the scene, not just tells, drawing listeners into a vivid, relatable moment using sensory images and actions. The ordinary situation is elevated into a cinematic, memorable sequence, making the emotion and setting instantly real and engaging, as outlined by the Visual Storytelling technique.
7 rings by Ariana Grande
[Verse 1]
Yeah, breakfast at Tiffany's and bottles of bubbles
Girls with tattoos who like getting in trouble
Lashes and diamonds, ATM machines
Buy myself all of my favorite things (Yeah)
Been through some bad shit, I should be a sad bitch
Who woulda thought it'd turn me to a savage?
Rather be tied up with calls and not strings
Write my own checks like I write what I sing, yeah (Yeah)
Explanation
These lines use bold visual storytelling, stacking luxury images—Tiffany’s, bubbles, tattoos, diamonds, ATM machines—to create a vivid, cinematic scene. Ariana Grande shows self-empowerment by “writing her own checks” and “being tied up with calls, not strings,” turning statements into tangible, relatable visuals. The imagery is direct, sensory, and amplifies the experience and attitude, letting listeners step right into her world.
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