Vague Song Lyrics

El Camino Acid live in Columbus, OH. Photo by Liza Cooper.

Writing a good song is hard work. I’ve tried. The last time I sat down to write a Top 40 hit, I quickly found myself lobbing crumpled pieces of printer paper at a small metal trash can in the corner of my room. Beyond pulling the world’s most cliched “writer’s block” move, I caught myself perpetuating platitudes within each verse in a fruitless attempt to replicate the timeless feel of the songs that resonate with me the most.

What’s so timeless about ambiguous songwriting?

I admire the songwriters who can tell a story without filling us in on all of the details. Although I’m merely a listener, I want to participate. I want to fill in the blanks. I want to experience the song the way that I hear it. As a listener, I’m looking for a way in.

Maybe I should try using a few common first names, so the listener can put their own spin on who I’m really talking about. In the song “Jackie,” Danny Garcia (Reverend Baron) seems to be singing about Jackie, Jimmy, and an event from his past. I don’t personally know Jackie or Jimmy, but this song speaks to me regardless.

Maybe I could skip the names and only use pronouns to describe my subject. By referencing characters such as he, she, you and the rest of us, Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) creates an ominous vibe throughout the song “Lilly,” and invites the listener to fill in the blanks.

Or perhaps, I could sing about the lifelike features of a landmark I hold dear. In an interview with Interview Magazine, Kevin Morby shared some insight on his song “Harlem River.”

“Something about it really spoke to me, I really love it up there, and I really love that river,” he explained.

Unfortunately, ambiguity isn’t a quick fix for mediocre songwriting (see: my trash can), but if utilized properly, it can make a big difference in how your audience engages with your content.