Introduction: The Hook/Title of Your Song Lyric

This lesson will help you understand:

• what a “hook” is in lyric writing
•  the importance of a hook in writing effective song lyrics
•  the hook’s proper repeated placement in the three lyric writing formats
• and how to find strong hooks for your lyric writing

What is a Lyric’s ”Hook”? 

The hook is that bit of the song that repeats itself more than once, is generally the song’s title, and is the most crucial element in allowing what you have to say set to music receive its widest hearing.  If you employ the hook properly, you can read or sing your lyric to someone once or twice, then ask them, “What was the name of that lyric/song?” and they will be able to tell you easily. Some songs employ the hook only twice in a chorus, while other songs repeat the hook many times as the entire words of a chorus. Most commonly, the hook is also the title of the song.

Name any ten popular songs you enjoy. The likelihood is that in the greatest majority of these songs’ titles are also the lyric “hook” around which that song is developed. Examples: “Hey There, Delilah”, “Yesterday”, “Desparado”.

What is the hook in the following untitled lyric?

.

The Spirit moves within me,
Stirring dark waters in my soul.
A blazing beam of glory,
Christ Jesus was broken,
I am whole.
Then a melody begins
That won’t find its ending
Through all eternity.
The music of my heart
Finds its pitch and part
In the Man of Calvary.

.
The music of my heart
Is gratitude and praise.
The music of my heart
Is joy and wonder.
Christ Jesus took my place,
He won me heaven’s grace.
Let my glad soul sing
Tribute to my King.
He is the music of my heart.
.
The Spirit groans within me,
Its wisdom lies deeper far than words.
Its sacred fire dances
Through the gospel story I have heard.
He walked with fishermen,
He was the truest Friend
Poor sinners ever knew.
The music of my heart
Finds this place to start:
Jesus died for me and you.
.
The music of my heart
Is gratitude and praise.
The music of my heart
Is joy and wonder.
Christ Jesus took my place,
He won me heaven’s grace.
Let my glad soul sing
Tribute to my King.
He is the music of my heart.
.
The melodies of this world are fading,
The curtain soon will fall, they’ll pass away.
But the Spirit’s music keeps on soaring
Through all eternity from this day. Forever!
.
The music of my heart
Is gratitude and praise.
The music of my heart
Is joy and wonder.
Christ Jesus took my place,
He won me heaven’s grace.
Let my glad soul sing
Tribute to my King.
He is the music of my heart.
He is the music of my heart.
He is the music of my heart.
.
c2004 Skip Johnson 
All rights reserved