How to avoid second verse syndrome
So you’ve smashed your first verse, built up the tensions in the pre and then got a belter of a chorus…
The it’s time to follow that up with a second verse…
Damn. Nothing.
Horrible isn’t it? But it’s all too common and we’ve all been there. So how we can prevent this from happening and as a result, finish more songs?
Prevention
We’ve spoken about this in some of our videos but it’s worth repeating here. We can set ourselves up to avoid this altogether by having a good solid framework of what the entire song is going to be about. from start to finish.
For us, this usually looks something like this.
(Using an example of a song written about a girl who is desperate to live out her dream even if it means disappointing some people on the way)
Verse 1 - Setting the scene of how life is right now and how that’s making her feel.
Pre Chorus - Saying sorry for disappointing loved ones
BUT… (Setting up the chorus)
Chorus - I’ve got to me be!
Verse 2 - Dig deeper into the emotional aspect and how she hopes to change those feelings
Pre Chorus - Repeat
Chorus - Repeat
Bridge - “What would you do if you were me?” Flipping the narrative.
Chorus - Repeat
Voila! The big picture
The song is actually already written! We know exactly what each section of the songs needs to say and where it is going next.
Most importantly, we know the aim of that second verse. That limits our options somewhat, which is ultimately a good thing.
Often we can’t write because we suffer from choice paralysis… we could go literally anywhere with it, and so we tend to go nowhere. Or somewhere irrelevant.
So start with the big picture and then fill in the gaps.
What if that’s not working?
This isn’t a full proof plan. You could know exactly where the second verse needs to go but still struggle find the actual words.
There is one small trick you can try to get out of this…
Make your first verse, your second verse!
Give it a go. It may be the case that you can’t progress from your first verse because in reality, you’ve gone as deep as you need to and there really is nowhere to go.
So now you’re playing a different game. You’re trying to work backwards by writing a first verse again.
In theory this should be easier because you can afford to be a little bit more ‘surface level’ with these lyrics, knowing that they go deeper in verse 2.
We hope this helps you get out of that second verse hole!
Big Love
Jump & Turner
