Need Lyric Ideas? Use TV Scenes

written by Robin Frederick

If you find yourself looking for new lyric ideas and inspiration, here’s a tip that works… Watch television! That’s not as crazy/stupid as it sounds. Many TV scenes are built around common emotional situations the audience can relate to. That’s just what you want for your song. Here’s how to do it.

CHOOSE A TV SHOW

Drama series with plenty of emotion work well. Hospital dramas, fire fighters, and even vampires deliver some great lines. Look for scenes with characters who are feeling a strong emotion and get ready to take notes. Much of what you’ll hear is conversational speech—but that often works well as a base-line to start a lyric from. A mix of direct statements and poetic imagery is ideal for lyrics. You can start with direct statements and add the imagery yourself later on.

Comedy series are not as easy to use as drama but they will work. If you choose a sitcom, check out the last 5 to 10 minutes of the show when any conflicts or problems are wrapped up and there’s often a heartfelt moment between characters.

Soaps operas, yes, good old-fashioned afternoon soaps, are a good source if you can find one to watch. (There aren’t many left.) They’re slow moving and nothing much happens, but that’s because everyone is busy emoting all over the place. There’s enough emotional confrontation, regret, tearful forgiveness, and joyful reunions  to fill a couple hundred songs!



Action series are fun to watch but chase scenes and shootouts won’t give you much to work with. Like comedy series, the emotion is usually in the last few scenes.

News shows are filled with emotionally intense drama that just happens to be real. There’s a great story behind the song “I Drive Your Truck.” One of the writers saw an interview on a news show and was inspired to write the song.

Unscripted TV, formerly known as “reality TV” is an awesome resource for lyric ideas and lines. Shows like The Bachelor, The Real Wives of …wherever, and Cat Fish, the TV Show all deliver plenty of emotion! Trust me. Every episode is packed with emotion by design.

A FEW SONG IDEAS FROM TV

Use my article How to Write a Song in 10 Steps to complete any of the following ideas.

SHOW: Classic Perry Mason TV series
Theme: Be Strong
Concept: You have the strength to meet the challenge. Those who love you will help.
Dialogue:

  • “I know things look tough.”
  • “You’re carrying a lot of weight on your shoulders.”
  •  “Let me help you.”

SHOW: CSI: Miami
Theme: Lost love.
Concept: Love can be taken away too soon.
Dialogue:

  • “I spent my whole life looking for someone like you.”
  • “I lost you before we had a chance to be together.”

(Tip: If needed, change the dialogue to “I” and “you” rather than “him” or “her.” It makes the song’s emotion more immediate and personal.)

SHOW: Bones
Theme: Falling in love
Concept: I want to tell you I love you but I can’t.
Dialogue:

  • “I’m trying to tell you how I feel but it isn’t coming out right.”
  • “I didn’t mean it to sound that way.”
  • “I can’t get the words to work sometimes.”

SHOW: Eyewitness News
Theme: Life lessons
Concept: Learning who you are from adversity
Dialogue:

  • “You never think it can happen to you but it can.”
  • “I was just living my life and suddenly everything changed.”
  • “The things I thought were important just aren’t anymore”
  • “The people you love are the only things that matter.”

For chord progressions you can use, check out my Song Starter page.