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Lyricists make great songs through solid rhyme schemes and narrative song structures. Learn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics","linkCopy":"how to write lyrics","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>how to write lyrics</a> with songwriting tips from music industry legend Mariah Carey.

Mariah Carey on How to Write Lyrics

 A lot of times, people that I've watched evolve in this industry, they have, like, a really strong person behind them that that wants them to be perceived as a producer, no matter what their contribution, and when writing, as well. But, you know, with me, I think they were always more like, oh, people, we want her to know about her as a singer. This is her vibe. This is her look. You know, this is our diva that we're promoting, whatever they used to call me. She's our franchise, like, all these things. If you're in the diva layer, people weren't thinking of you as a producer. I just always wanted to write. I just always wanted to be a part of what the final outcome of the song was, and if I didn't like it, I didn't like it. And at times, I would get into, like, you know, even back then little kind of arguments with the powers that be. And it'd be over something so simple as, like, one little line in the lead vocal that I didn't love. Especially back then, powerful male producers that have been in the game way longer than you, you know, even anyone ever heard of you, it's like, what are you supposed to do? You've got a record company telling you, well, the producer wants it this way. And, you know, so we're going to go with what he wants, and basically whatever he says, he must be a genius because he has all these hits. So you're like, all right, well, I guess I got to deal with it. But for me to still remember it today just shows you how important that is to me. So in terms of, like, people encouraging me as a producer, I don't think people wanted that. I don't think they wanted me to feel that sense of empowerment.

Dubbed “Songbird Supreme” and the “Queen of Christmas,” [Mariah Carey](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mariah-carey-teaches-the-voice-as-an-instrument) is a celebrated singer-songwriter known for her stunning five-octave [vocal range](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-range), riff skills, and chart-topping popular songs. Mariah has won five Grammy Awards and sings everything from love songs (“Visions of Love”) to holiday hits (“All I Want for Christmas Is You”). Often writing her own songs, she infuses her works with great lyrics, chugging chord progressions, and infectious melodies.

For the first time in music history, Mariah became the first artist to have their initial five singles reach No. 1 on the *Billboard* Hot 100. “One Sweet Day,” recorded with Boyz II Men, became the longest-running No. 1 *Billboard* song of the 1990s. Her success followed into the millennium: She produced hit song after hit song, broke into film (starring in the Academy Award-winning film *Precious*), went on *American Idol* as a judge, and published a bestselling memoir. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Mariah in 2022.
The art of [songwriting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics) combines many skills. In terms of music, a songwriter or a songwriting team must tackle song structure, melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. Beyond these musical components, songwriters must also tackle lyric writing. Many good songs work off a familiar formula: the intro, first verse, chorus, second verse, second chorus, bridge, and then the final chorus. Connecting each part of your song are lyric lines, which tell a story and paint a picture for the listener. “I love songwriting,” Mariah says. “For me, that's my talent. That's what I'm best at.”
Mariah Carey offers step-by-step tips to develop song ideas and write better lyrics. Even beginners can get their creative process moving with these ideas that have inspired some of Mariah’s favorite songs:

1. __Illuminate things that are difficult to articulate__. You can use music to express yourself. “I wrote *Outside* about specific feelings of otherness that I felt as a child,” Mariah says. “For me, it was about being biracial and how that has really become such a . . . I don't know that there's one word that I can use to describe what that’s done to me. It’s sort of the bane of my existence. To be Black and biracial is a very specific thing . . . And especially when you grow up in white neighborhoods, and you go through the different things that I went through, it's been an interesting journey.”
2. __Push yourself to experiment deeper__. Lean into your feelings, and try to find the words to address their complexity and strength. Mariah says, “I think you can have fun choosing the words in your songs; maybe challenge yourself to use words that paint a more vivid picture of what you’re trying to say. These new words might even inspire new stories in your writing.”
3. __Spend time alone__. Reflection by yourself can prove fruitful, and when words strike, write them down. Mariah wrote a song for *Hero*, a 1992 film starring Dustin Hoffman. At the initial meeting for the music, Mariah came up with an idea after learning the movie’s synopsis. “I took a five-minute break to go to the ladies’ room because I took it in, and I was like, it goes like this: ‘Then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on,’” she says. “It’s just so weird. But sometimes, because I’m never alone, when I get a moment by myself, ideas come to me.”
4. __Turn small memories into big songs__. Mariah’s song “Sunflowers for Alfred Roy” is a remembrance of her late father. “It’s an important song to me . . . he sort of represented, like, this tall, proud sunflower for me,” she says. “I wrote about specific moments in our lives from when I was a little kid. I wrote about things I wanted to say to him.”
5. __Write about the realness__. In songwriting, specificity matters because the more hyperspecific something is, the more relatable it can become. “I’ve chosen to be very specific and real about certain things in certain songs,” Mariah says. “Your personal experiences should come through in your writing no matter how relatable you aim to be.” 
Become a better musician with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Mariah Carey, Herbie Hancock, Christina Aguilera, Sheila E., Timbaland, Tom Morello, and more.
Lyricists make great songs through solid rhyme schemes and narrative song structures. Learn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics","linkCopy":"how to write lyrics","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>how to write lyrics</a> with songwriting tips from music industry legend Mariah Carey.

Dubbed “Songbird Supreme” and the “Queen of Christmas,” <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mariah-carey-teaches-the-voice-as-an-instrument' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mariah-carey-teaches-the-voice-as-an-instrument","linkCopy":"Mariah Carey","category":null}'>Mariah Carey</a> is a celebrated singer-songwriter known for her stunning five-octave <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-range' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vocal-range","linkCopy":"vocal range","category":null}'>vocal range</a>, riff skills, and chart-topping popular songs. Mariah has won five Grammy Awards and sings everything from love songs (“Visions of Love”) to holiday hits (“All I Want for Christmas Is You”). Often writing her own songs, she infuses her works with great lyrics, chugging chord progressions, and infectious melodies.For the first time in music history, Mariah became the first artist to have their initial five singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “One Sweet Day,” recorded with Boyz II Men, became the longest-running No. 1 Billboard song of the 1990s. Her success followed into the millennium: She produced hit song after hit song, broke into film (starring in the Academy Award-winning film Precious), went on American Idol as a judge, and published a bestselling memoir. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Mariah in 2022.

A Brief Introduction to Mariah Carey

The art of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics","linkCopy":"songwriting","category":null}'>songwriting</a> combines many skills. In terms of music, a songwriter or a songwriting team must tackle song structure, melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation. Beyond these musical components, songwriters must also tackle lyric writing. Many good songs work off a familiar formula: the intro, first verse, chorus, second verse, second chorus, bridge, and then the final chorus. Connecting each part of your song are lyric lines, which tell a story and paint a picture for the listener. “I love songwriting,” Mariah says. “For me, that&#39;s my talent. That&#39;s what I&#39;m best at.”

How to Write a Song

Mariah Carey offers step-by-step tips to develop song ideas and write better lyrics. Even beginners can get their creative process moving with these ideas that have inspired some of Mariah’s favorite songs:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Illuminate things that are difficult to articulate. You can use music to express yourself. “I wrote Outside about specific feelings of otherness that I felt as a child,” Mariah says. “For me, it was about being biracial and how that has really become such a . . . I don&#39;t know that there&#39;s one word that I can use to describe what that’s done to me. It’s sort of the bane of my existence. To be Black and biracial is a very specific thing . . . And especially when you grow up in white neighborhoods, and you go through the different things that I went through, it&#39;s been an interesting journey.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Push yourself to experiment deeper. Lean into your feelings, and try to find the words to address their complexity and strength. Mariah says, “I think you can have fun choosing the words in your songs; maybe challenge yourself to use words that paint a more vivid picture of what you’re trying to say. These new words might even inspire new stories in your writing.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Spend time alone. Reflection by yourself can prove fruitful, and when words strike, write them down. Mariah wrote a song for Hero, a 1992 film starring Dustin Hoffman. At the initial meeting for the music, Mariah came up with an idea after learning the movie’s synopsis. “I took a five-minute break to go to the ladies’ room because I took it in, and I was like, it goes like this: ‘Then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on,’” she says. “It’s just so weird. But sometimes, because I’m never alone, when I get a moment by myself, ideas come to me.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Turn small memories into big songs. Mariah’s song “Sunflowers for Alfred Roy” is a remembrance of her late father. “It’s an important song to me . . . he sort of represented, like, this tall, proud sunflower for me,” she says. “I wrote about specific moments in our lives from when I was a little kid. I wrote about things I wanted to say to him.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Write about the realness. In songwriting, specificity matters because the more hyperspecific something is, the more relatable it can become. “I’ve chosen to be very specific and real about certain things in certain songs,” Mariah says. “Your personal experiences should come through in your writing no matter how relatable you aim to be.” </li></ol>

How to Write Song Lyrics: 5 Tips From Mariah Carey

Become a better musician with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Mariah Carey, Herbie Hancock, Christina Aguilera, Sheila E., Timbaland, Tom Morello, and more.

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Lyricists make great songs through solid rhyme schemes and narrative song structures. Learn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics","linkCopy":"how to write lyrics","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>how to write lyrics</a> with songwriting tips from music industry legend Mariah Carey.

Lyricists make great songs through solid rhyme schemes and narrative song structures. Learn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-song-lyrics","linkCopy":"how to write lyrics","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>how to write lyrics</a> with songwriting tips from music industry legend Mariah Carey.

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Mariah Carey on How to Write Lyrics