The Lost Art of Songwriting: Why Lyrics Matter in Music

Music is a great therapy; their lyrics play a huge role in lives, and delving through the past, we've got loads of music that carries a great message of hope, love, motivations, and the like, and on their own, they impact lives positively. The same isn't the case in the present, as most recent music lyrics just seem like they're produced in a hurry or without much effort put into the lyrical aspect. Nowadays most musicians are all about the beat, forgetting that the message also matters and is the foundation of music.

Being a lover of music and someone who loves good music that carries great lyrics, I'm somewhat always picky about my choice of songs, be it gospel or hip-hop; the lyrics are what attract me alongside the rhythm. A musician like Kendrick Lamar is one of my favorites when it comes to lyrics because of his storytelling style, as is Ed Sheeran, who's well versed in introspective and romantic lyrics that strengthen the bonds of lovers.

I can't forget Dax, one of my favorites, for his relatable songs and lyrics that get you not only proving but also thinking about the in-depth messages it carries. Here in Nigeria, I have 2face for his expertise in love songs and lyrics that can help you woo a lady over; Asa for her poetic and relatable lives take filled lyrics; we've also got Olamide, Fela, and several others that I love in that regard.

Unlike the great musician highlighted above, nowadays we've got a bunch of musicians who probably just delve into the field because of fame or something else. I mean, you'll listen to some songs and will be left wondering how such ended up getting produced; in fact, some just have a verse or lines being repeated over and over on a team, and yet you'll find the song thrive because of the bear it's sang on; some even go on to win awards, while good music with awesome lyrics isn't to be appreciated anymore.

Personally, I think not everyone should delve into music, and if at all you must or have passion for it, then you should at least learn deeply about it. If, paraventure, you've got the voice but can't put down great lyrics, it doesn't make you less of a good musician. You can easily get a song written to help you craft out a masterpiece of a lyric to sing about, and in the end it'll make you not only stand out for your voice but also for the lyrics.

Not being the writer of awesome songs doesn't make you bad; if you've got a song with great lyrics and it's nominated for an award, you'll get your recognition, and so will the hired song writer, making it a win-win situation, but if you desire to win yourself, then there's nothing bad in going to a music school and learning how you can improve yourself to become a great song writer.

Learning is something we'll continuously do in all aspects of life, so learning to improve your songwriting skills will only show your decorations for your passion and your zeal to become better and not make you look like you're not good enough. Do regardless of which you do or even both, just do it well and make your music impact lives, not just by the best but also with its lyrics. Let it minister life, hope, and comfort to the hearing of all your listeners to the point where they come begging for more.

All photos are taken and edited on canva.