Write an original song from the material below. Do not imitate, closely paraphrase, or continue any living artist’s lyrics or signature style; instead, use the musical and writing qualities I describe in my own terms. [SONG IDEA] [EMOTIONAL TURN] [GENRE AND MUSICAL FEEL] [POINT-OF-VIEW AND SETTING] [DETAILS TO INCLUDE] [WORDS OR CLICHES TO AVOID] First, identify the song’s central tension in one sentence: what the narrator wants, what stands in the way, and what changes by the end. Then write lyrics in this exact structure: Verse 1 (8 lines), Pre-chorus (4 lines), Chorus (6 lines), Verse 2 (8 lines), Pre-chorus (4 lines), Chorus (6 lines), Bridge (4 lines), final Chorus (6 lines). Label each section. Make Verse 1 establish a physical place and moment, not backstory in summary form. Let Verse 2 reveal a new complication or consequence. The chorus must contain one memorable central phrase, repeated with a small change in the final chorus so the song moves forward. Use sensory details, active verbs, and objects a listener can picture. Keep rhyme natural: imperfect rhyme is fine, but do not force inverted wording just to rhyme. Vary line length enough to create a singable rhythm, while keeping the chorus easier to remember than the verses. After the lyrics, add a short “Craft notes” section with: central image, chorus hook, narrative progression, and three optional alternate title ideas. Before answering, check that every required detail appears naturally and flag any detail that did not fit. Check for stock phrases, accidental repetition, and unsupported claims about real people or places. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [SONG IDEA] | Describe the situation, subject, or seed of the song in a few sentences. | A woman packs up her late father’s hardware store after it closes for good. |
| [EMOTIONAL TURN] | State how the narrator’s feeling should change from the opening to the ending. | Start numb and practical; end with her choosing to keep one small ritual alive. |
| [GENRE AND MUSICAL FEEL] | Name a genre and practical qualities such as tempo, instrumentation, or energy. | Warm folk-rock, mid-tempo, acoustic guitar and restrained drums. |
| [POINT-OF-VIEW AND SETTING] | Specify who is singing and where or when the song takes place. | First person, inside the store on a rainy Tuesday evening. |
| [DETAILS TO INCLUDE] | List concrete images, memories, objects, or phrases that belong in the lyrics. | Price gun, cedar dust, a bell over the door, his penciled inventory notes. |
| [WORDS OR CLICHES TO AVOID] | List phrases, themes, or words you do not want used. | No angels, stars, broken hearts, or 'gone but not forgotten'. |
How to use
- Replace each bracketed input with material from your own song idea.
- Paste the full prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
- Check that the verses add new information and the chorus carries the emotional claim.
- Follow up with: “Keep the same story, but give me three new choruses with a shorter hook and fewer abstract nouns.”
Variations
Write a co-write brief
Use this before a co-writing session or before handing an idea to another writer.
Turn these notes into a one-page co-write brief, not lyrics: [SONG IDEA], [ARTIST POSITIONING], [EMOTIONAL DESTINATION], [REFERENCES IN DESCRIPTIVE TERMS], and [NON-NEGOTIABLE DETAILS]. Include a title bank of 10 original possibilities, a one-sentence premise, narrator and setting, verse-by-verse story beats, three possible chorus angles, and words to avoid. Do not imitate specific artists or quote songs. Check that each chorus angle differs in perspective rather than merely wording. Ask up to 3 questions only if a required input is missing.
Revise rough lyrics
Use this when you have a draft and want targeted craft help without losing its meaning.
Edit my draft song below for singability and stronger imagery while preserving its narrator, story, and intended emotional outcome. [DRAFT LYRICS] [GENRE] [MUST-KEEP LINES] [TARGET LENGTH]. Return: (1) a diagnosis of weak lines, including clichés, unclear pronouns, and forced rhymes; (2) a revised full lyric with changed lines marked in brackets; and (3) five replacement options for the weakest line. Do not add facts not implied by the draft or imitate an artist. Check that the chorus remains recognizably mine. Ask up to 3 questions only if inputs are missing.
Generate title ideas
Use this when the song is drafted but its title is generic or unclear.
Generate 30 original song-title options from this concept: [SONG SUMMARY], [KEY IMAGES], [GENRE], [TONE], [WORDS TO AVOID]. Group them as direct, image-led, and phrase-led titles. For the strongest 10, add a one-line explanation of why the title creates curiosity without spoiling the song. Avoid titles that closely resemble famous song titles and do not use protected lyrics. Check for duplicates, clichés, and titles that promise a different genre or mood than the notes. Ask up to 3 questions only if a required input is missing.
Tips
- Give the model physical evidence of the feeling, such as a key left on a counter or a receipt in a coat pocket, instead of only naming the emotion.
- A chorus works best when it states the song’s argument in simpler language than the verses, not when it introduces another plot point.
- If a lyric contains many proper nouns, dates, or factual events, verify them yourself before releasing it as autobiographical or historical.
- Ask for two competing chorus concepts before polishing lines; changing the song’s central claim later is harder than changing rhyme.
FAQ
Can AI write a song in the style of a specific singer?
Ask for broad, describable qualities such as intimate storytelling, sparse production, or conversational phrasing. Do not request imitation of a living artist’s signature style or lyrics.
How do I make the lyrics less generic?
Supply a location, objects, a time of day, and one action the narrator takes. Then ask the model to replace abstract statements with details that serve the story.
Should I use the first draft?
Treat it as a writing partner’s draft. Sing it aloud, mark lines that feel unnatural in your mouth, and revise the hook until it earns its repetition.