Why should you know your audience when writing lyrics?

Many songwritiers, and especially when they´re writing lyrics, are trying to express their most deep inner thoughts. Off course this is a good thing, but often they forget to communicate with their listener. They don´t know how to write song lyrics that makes the listener feel the way they do. If they write for their own enjoyment, thats totally fine, but If their goal is to get their song signed for a commercial success, I´m afraid it won´t work.

Be aware so you don´t make this mistake. Remember, in commercial songwriting your job is to communicate, communicate, communicate. To achieve this, you must know your audience. This is a very important concept in successful lyric writing.

Who Is My Audience?

Some of the artists in the business are labeled as belonging in a certain category such as Country, Rock R&B, Rap etc. If you write for a RnB artist who maybe has a teenager audience, it goes without saying that lyrics about "leaving your third husband" might not be to appealing.

If on the other hand you write to a country artist who has a grown up audience, it might communicate well and become a hugh hit. Therefor, know your audience when your writing lyrics.

Some writers who are established in one group all of a sudden becomes part of another category/genre just by how they write the words of their song or how they present those words. Sometimes the words can be easily merged with any type of music making the song a multiple crossover success. Some writers do this intentionally knowing it will make them popular with more people and give their songs a better chance of success.

Some lyrics really are aimed at a specific group of people. Occasionally, these are the type of lyrics that are highlighted in the news as they draw a critical reaction from that specific group. Song lyrics have even landed the writer (and the singer) smack in the middle of the legal system. Such songs have been targeted as the cause of someone’s death, some sort of criminal activity, etc. Some lyrics have even been cited as causing divorce, addiction, or a breakup. Whew! Songwriters have a huge responsibility.

Everyone has at least one song within them. The trick is to bring that song out from within and onto paper. Some songwriters are never truly successful at doing this and others, while somewhat successful, can’t manage to write songs that speak to their target audience. When you´re writing lyrics, remember; a great song has words that the listeners can’t get out of their head - even if they wishes they could!

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