Song Club #63: Lyrical Hooks
Writing songs with memorable lines
Midnight Voice Memos is a totally independent labor of love. If you enjoy this work please consider becoming a paid subscriber, grabbing a music Rx from the Song Apothecary, or picking up some Unwritten Records.
We don’t talk enough about the importance of lyrical hooks in making a song catchy. Finding an immediate melody is essential and therefore paramount, I guess. BUT, a memorable, compelling lyrical hook can take a decently catchy song and make it low key classic.
One of my favorite example of this is the titular line from ‘So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings’ by Caroline Polachek. The chorus melody is solidly catchy, but imagine if these were the lyrics
I get a little lonely
I get a little more close to me
You’re the only one who knows me babe
I want you and you’re good looking
This is on many levels the same sentiment as ‘so hot you’re hurting my feelings’. It scans ooookay with the melody. But it’s so underwhelming.
‘So hot you’re hurting my feelings’ brings us into the pain and uncertainty of attraction on a whole other level. It’s a little bit silly (how could somebody’s looks hurt you though really?), but it’s also completely true and totally relatable. I have totally had my guts twisted in a knot but seeing a photo of someone looking divine.
So, how exactly does one identify such a hook?
I’d say there are two key components:
a) It sounds like something someone would say — the best lyrical hooks have a natural spoken rhythm and use ordinary language. Think ‘Good Luck, Babe’ by Chappel Roan (literally the titular line again) or ‘Not Strong Enough’ by boygenius (the first two lines of the chorus are so simple and relatable, and they wrap around the melody so well).
b) It’s not just memorable it’s instantly relatable - an example of this is the chorus lyrics in ‘Naked In Manhattan’ by Chappel Roan (Touch me baby, touch me baby, naked in Manhattan). It’s evocative but specific in a way that’s less relatable. A great lyrical hook has you going ‘oooo boyyyeeee, I know that vibe exactly’.
This week, I share some ‘Entry Points’ to help you find such lyrical hooks—because I think they are found. It is a matter of taste, btw, and you will know them when you see them.
Happy hunting,
Lucy
‘Entry Points’
#1
Check your texts: I will say this again still. Your text threads are a treasure trove of lyrical inspiration. There’s so much casual, ordinary language. Go for a dive.
#2
Steal from books and podcasts: The number of times I hear someone say something on a podcast and am like ‘ooooh great lyric’ is very silly. It happens with books too, fiction and non-fiction alike.
#3
Go to a bar and just listen to other people: A lot of gold can be struck simply listening to the conversations of others. Especially people at a bar, feeling a bit loose and on a jag.
#4
Mine your notes app: You know that weird little line you jotted down at 2am? The one that made sense at the time and maybe still kinda does? That could be the start—or the core—of a great lyrical hook.
#5
What won’t you say: Hooks live in that weird emotional edge space between “I can’t say that” and “I have to say that.” Think about what you’re currently repressing or struggling to admit. Try saying it bluntly, like a dare.
What are your favorite lyrical hooks?