So, you’ve written a new song. The structure is solid. The melody feels good. The chorus is catchy. But something still doesn’t quite click. Chances are, it’s not the whole song but it’s a few weak lines dragging everything else down.
In songwriting, every line matters. Every lyric you keep needs to earn its place. If it doesn’t serve the song, it’s in the way.
This post is all about how to spot the fluff, cut the fat, and craft lyrics that hit harder line by line, one line at a time.
So, What Does “Earning Its Place” Actually Mean?
Well, not every line in your song has to be poetic genius, but it does need to do one or more of the following:
- Move the story forward
- Deepen the emotional tone
- Support or set up the hook
- Reveal something new
- Strengthen the mood or setting
If a line is just “there” because you needed a rhyme or didn’t know what else to say, it’s a red flag.
Ask yourself: “If I removed this line, would the song lose anything?“
If the answer is “no,” then it’s time to rewrite.
Common Offenders: Lines That Don’t Pull Their Weight
Here are a few types of lines that often sneak into lyrics without earning their spot:
1. Lazy Rhymes
“I love you, yes I do / The sky is so blue too”
You needed a rhyme and defaulted to the easiest (and often most meaningless) option.
2. Generic Filler
“You know it’s true”
“That’s just the way it is”
“I can’t go on without you”
These lines say nothing specific. They’re placeholders for real emotion.
3. Repetition Without Purpose
Repeating a phrase is fine (powerful, even) but only if it deepens the idea or feeling.
4. Overwritten or Overcomplicated Lines
“My soul drips like the ink of an unseen metaphorical feather”
Trying too hard to be clever can cloud the meaning and break the listener’s connection.
5. Disjointed Imagery
If a line introduces a new metaphor or idea that doesn’t relate to the rest of the song, it can throw everything off balance.
The Editing Mindset
Songwriting is emotional. Editing is intentional. You need both.
Start by letting the ideas flow. But once the first draft is done, switch hats, become the editor, summon your inner critic from its self imposed holiday and get it to do its job.
Be ruthless…
Just because a line is clever doesn’t mean it belongs.
Just because it rhymes doesn’t mean it works.
Just because you like it doesn’t mean it helps the song.
Editing isn’t about killing your creativity. It’s about focusing it.
How to Test If a Line Deserves to Stay
Here are some questions to run each line through:
- Does it move the story or emotion forward?
- Is it saying something new, or just repeating the obvious?
- Does it tie into the song’s core emotion or theme?
- Would the line still work if I simplified it?
- Could it be replaced with a stronger image or idea?
Try this:
Take a finished lyric, print it out, and mark any line that:
- You skim over when reading
- Sounds like something you’ve heard a hundred times
- Exists solely because of rhyme
Those are your targets.
Before & After (A Quick Example)
Let’s say you have this lyric:
Original Verse:
I walk alone in the pouring rain
Nothing to lose, everything to gain
I think of you and all we had
And wonder why it hurts so bad
Not bad, but kind of safe. Let’s rewrite with sharper imagery and less filler:
Edited Version:
Footsteps echo on the empty street
Your ghost in every face I meet
The storm outside can’t match the sound
Of silence when you’re not around
Each line now paints a picture, sticks to the emotional tone, and avoids generic phrasing.
What You Gain By Cutting the Fat
- Sharper lyrics: that say more with fewer words
- Greater emotional impact: no fluff to dilute the feeling
- Stronger momentum: the song flows better
- More listener trust: they know you’re not wasting their time
Listeners might not know why your song feels tight and powerful but they’ll feel it.
Here’s A Lyric Editing Checklist
Ask this of every line:
- Does this line serve the story or emotion?
- Is it saying something specific or just filling space?
- Is the rhyme natural, or does it feel forced?
- Can I say this in a clearer or more visual way?
- If I cut this line, does the song lose anything important?
Ruthlessness Is a Creative Gift
The magic of songwriting doesn’t stop after the first draft. In fact, that’s when the real work begins.
When you treat every line like it matters you turn your song from something decent into something that resonates.
So next time you’re reviewing your lyrics, don’t just ask, “Does this rhyme?” Ask, “Does this matter?”
Your songs will be glad you did.
