Permission to Write Light: How Simple Lyrics Can Unlock Creative Freedom

Photo credit: Charnchai (iStock)

Many songwriters come to believe, over time, that the best songs have to come from heartbreak, struggle, or some kind of emotional reckoning. That for a song to truly matter, it needs to dig deep, bare your soul, and leave you transformed.

And yes—some songs absolutely do that. But that’s not the only kind of truth worth writing. In fact, putting pressure on yourself to go to those places every time you sit down to write can become a block in itself. You might find yourself thinking, “There’s so much to say, and I don’t know where to start,” and so you don’t start at all.

But what if the way back in wasn’t through intensity—but through lightness?

Writing light can be a powerful creative choice

This week inside We Write Songs, we’re exploring the idea of Simple Joys—those small, everyday details that lift your spirit. A cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. Your favourite song playing in the background. A cosy jumper that always makes you feel at home. That voice on the phone that instantly makes you smile and feel at ease.

While we’re spotlighting the theme in the community this week, it’s really a timeless concept for any writer.

These kinds of details might seem too light or too ordinary to write about. But sometimes, the lightest songs carry the deepest resonance. When we strip back the need to say something profound, we often open up space to say something true—and let the music carry the rest.

Writing light doesn’t mean writing without care. In fact, it takes skill to distil a feeling into something clear and focused. You’re not dumbing it down—you’re tuning in.

Simplicity Creates Space

When your lyrics are grounded and accessible, they free up the rest of the song to be more adventurous. You might find yourself experimenting with a more intricate chord progression, layering rhythmic surprises, or weaving in textures and instrumental hooks that could feel overwhelming alongside dense, introspective words.

Simplicity in lyric writing can be the key that unlocks complexity elsewhere. It creates a kind of balance—a clarity in message that invites musical expression to stretch out and take up space.

Let Groove Do the Talking

In groove-forward styles, a light lyric isn’t a shortcut—it’s a feature. Songs that lean on rhythm, vibe, or production often do best with lyrics that leave room for the rest of the elements to shine.

Think of how a well-placed phrase, a simple line repeated, or a call-and-response hook can embed itself in your listener’s memory. These are the songs that lift you out of your chair or carry you through a drive with the windows down—not because they deliver lyrical depth, but because they deliver emotional release.

If you’re writing something with a strong groove or a feel-good energy, let the lyrics support the mood rather than carry the weight alone.

Letting the Listener Breathe

Lightness also invites connection. When a song isn’t trying too hard to be clever or profound, it gives the listener space to feel. Space to hear themselves in the lyric. Space to breathe.

Clear, simple writing doesn’t mean flat or empty. It means focused. It means emotionally generous. It’s a way of saying, “I’m not going to crowd you—I’m going to welcome you in.”

Sometimes the songs that feel the most personal are the ones with the widest open doors.

A final nudge to write a light song...

If you’re staring down the blank page thinking,

“This idea isn’t deep enough..."

“This song doesn’t feel important enough..."

Here’s your permission: Write it anyway.

Sometimes we don’t write because we tell ourselves we need to go deep… and honestly, we just don’t have it in us that day. We look at the page and feel the weight of everything waiting to be unearthed. But the way back in doesn’t always require excavation. Sometimes, it begins with something light. Something joyful. Something small and good and present.

Let joy take centre stage—no pressure, just pleasure. Write a light song. And write it well.

You might be surprised by how deeply it connects.

✍️ Try this:

Make a list of five things today that brought you even a flicker of joy. Pick one and write a verse or chorus inspired by it. Don’t overthink—just follow the good feeling.

I’d love to hear what small joys inspire you this week—feel free to share in the comments!

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