LYRIC CHEAT SHEET (LCS)
Lesson 18: The Paper Read Method
Action Points:
Professional Songwriters pay great attention to how their lyrics get received. They focus on clear communication to get their point across. This is what you should always keep in mind when writing a song.
And to make sure your lyrics are as impactful and clear as possible, you can use the Paper-Read-Method:
Read your lyrics out loud to yourself and to others, and ask yourself if they are strong enough to stand on its own.
Often they don't. So rework them and make sure that your song's core message will gets understood. But this something most songwriter are too lazy to do and will give you an advantage. So give the Paper-Read-Method a try.
Songs That Use This Concept:
A Symptom of Being Human by Shinedown
[Chorus]
Sometimes I'm in a room where I don't belong
And the house is on fire and there's no alarm
And the walls are melting too
How 'bout you?
I've never been the favorite, thought
I'd seen it all 'Til I got my invitation to the lunatic ball
And my friends are comin' too
How 'bout you?
Don't worry, it's all just a symptom of being human
Explanation
These lines use bold, direct statements and clear imagery—like “the house is on fire and there’s no alarm” and “walls are melting”—that stand strong even when read out loud with no music for support. The chorus is focused and easy to understand, making the song’s message unmistakable for any listener. This clarity and simplicity are the core of the Paper Read Method: if you read it on paper, the lyric’s meaning, story, and emotional hook remain powerful and clear.
Cherry Wine by Hoizer
[Verse 1]
Her eyes and words are so icy
Oh, but she burns like rum on a fire
Hot and fast and angry as she can be
I walk my days on a wire
Explanation
These lines pass the Paper Read Method because they use strong, clear images (“icy,” “burns like rum on a fire”) that stand on their own even without music. The language is simple yet evocative, telling the listener exactly how the singer experiences his lover’s temperament. With every word focused on showing, not telling, the verse remains powerful and understandable when read aloud—demonstrating the clarity and impact L18 demands.
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
[Verse 1]
There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bringing me out the dark
Finally, I can see you crystal clear
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your shit bare …
Explanation
These lyrics are full of concrete details and vivid images (“fire starting in my heart,” “bring me out the dark”) that catch the listener’s imagination even without melody. The writing is specific, dramatic, and easy to follow, making the emotional stakes clear on the page. It fits the Paper Read Method perfectly, holding up as strong writing with or without the song behind it
Mr. Brightside by The Killers
[Verse 1]
I'm comin' out of my cage and I've been doin' just fine
Gotta, gotta be down because I want it all
It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?
(It was only a kiss) It was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep and she's calling a cab
While he's havin' a smoke and she's taking a drag
Now they're goin' to bed and my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head, but she's touching his
Explanation
This verse delivers a scene full of concrete details—actions, reactions, and emotion—in a stream-of-consciousness style that makes each moment clear to the reader. Even without music, you can follow the plot and feel the anxiety and heartbreak. This level of clarity and narrative drive makes the lyrics impactful when simply read aloud, fitting the Paper Read Method.
Flowers by Miley Cyrus
[Chorus]
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours Say things you don't understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
Explanation
The lyric lists literal, relatable actions, letting the listener clearly “see” each one unfold without needing further explanation or melody. The statements are direct and vivid, giving the core message power through simplicity and specificity. These features allow the section to stand on its own as clear, impactful writing—matching the goals of the Paper Read Method.
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