How to Write The Second Album?
written by Melanie Naumann
Struggling to write your second album? Now that the pressure is on? Discover how you can write great songs for album #2, AGAIN.
Alright, songwriter with one successful album out (and struggling to write the second), let's talk about the dreaded phase where music artists like you stare down the barrel of their second album.
We've all seen it: artists like Lewis Capaldi and Samu Haber (Sunrise Avenue), who spent years crafting their debut hits, suddenly find themselves grappling with a whole new beast when it comes to writing Album Number Two.
It's like going from cruising on a smooth highway to navigating a treacherous mountain pass in a beat-up old car.
The pressure's on, the deadlines are looming, and suddenly, every song feels like it's being scrutinized under a microscope.
In this post, we're diving into the messy, exhilarating world of writing that second album, and you will discover how you can write your second album in time, with intention and clarity, and enjoy the process with confidence!
So buckle up, grab your favorite mug of coffee, and let's unravel the mystery of how to crack the code and write your second album.
How do you do it?
How can you write album #2?
When it comes to cracking the code and writing your second album, many questions probably run through your head.
Questions like...
- How can I ensure that my second album's lyrics resonate deeply with listeners while meeting the demands of a second album without feeling rushed or superficial?
- What strategies can I use to overcome writer's block and find inspiration for new songs?
- How do I strike a balance between evolving my songwriting and staying true to the style that resonated with my audience in my debut album?
- How do I navigate the pressure to produce hit singles while maintaining artistic integrity in my songwriting?
- What steps can I take to refine and polish my lyrics to ensure they are as impactful and memorable as possible?
- How can I write another hit song and know it's one?
The answer to all of those questions is the same: Put your focus on the ART of Writing Song Lyrics.
And no, it's not about flying out to co-writing sessions with lots and lots of people who do nothing else all day.
It's all about YOU as the songwriter, writing another hit yourself.
Because YES, that's possible!
Did you know that Sunrise Avenue's song "Fairytale Gone Bad" was released to all the European radio stations without the E-guitar part on it?
Something the artists thought was the reason why that song was such a hit. The powerful cherry on top.
Until one day, a year later, they listened to the song for the first time as it was played on the radio and realized that the final mastering of that song had not been sent to the radio stations. It didn't have the part with the e-guitar on it.
And still, the song was played all across Europe and people loved it - even without the e-guitar.
So there's obviously something more that goes into a great song except for the music. There was something more that made people resonate with their song.
In the NETFLIX documentary about Robbie Williams, Robbie confesses that he still doesn't know what made his breakthrough song "Angels" take off.
Imagine, if he knew why and could have leveraged that knowledge to stop imposter syndrome and write with more confidence and clarity?
There are so many music artists who have those great hits,... and they don't know WHY that song is so successful.
It's not a guessing game or knowing what "feels right", it's all about the power of the song lyrics.
The answer is the same:
Put your focus on the ART of Writing Song Lyrics.
Pat Pattison says: that a “perfectly developed song changes our way of looking at our lives and our surroundings.”
To say this even better, let's consider what it truly comes down to.
In the words of Shawn Coyne, the creator of the Story Grid and an editor with over 35 years of experience:
"Every effective story communicates a CONTROLLING IDEA in a way that bypasses the audience’s critical minds to touch their hearts and change their worldviews."
That controlling idea is the message that we want the audience to take away from the song.
And we need to tell a story so we can “bypass the audience’s critical minds to touch their hearts and change their worldviews."
That's what will hook your audience, engage them, and, most importantly, emotionally MOVE them.
What is the ART of Writing Song Lyrics?
aka. the stuff that no one teaches YET
We all know there's the technical side of things when it comes to writing song lyrics (= lyric form and structure), and there's the writing style.
In addition, what's even more important when you want your songs to make an impact and be successful is focusing on the ART of writing song lyrics.
The ART is all about:
- the lyrics’ content (what they are about)
- the emotional connection between the listener's world and the world of the song
- the message the lyrics communicate to the listener
- how they create an experience for the audience.
Every aspect of the ART of writing lyrics is just another skill that you can learn. And through that, write powerful song lyrics that will resonate with a wide audience.
Now, there's probably one question that remains:
Do the lyrics matter at all in writing a successful song?
It's true. There's a direct correlation between the power of the song lyrics and the success of the song or album.
I have analyzed the lyrics of entire discographies of multiple music artists (with over 65 different criteria) to determine the power of the song lyrics.
I compared the result to the data of their streaming numbers and sales... and every time, there was a direct correlation between the lyrics' power and the album's success.
The image above shows the comparison between Green Day's first seven albums and their last six albums.
The first seven albums had an average lyric power of 55%, leading to over 73 million sales and streams.
The last six albums had an average album power of only 36%, leading to only around 10 million sales and streams.
Lyrics matter A LOT!
Do you want your second album to be even better that your debut?
It's not a question of: "If it will be better..."
Instead, it's about how you can write even more powerful lyrics!
And develop your new songs from discovering strong song ideas to turning them into captivating and compelling songs that will resonate on a universal level with your fans and people who will discover your music for the very first time!
Hey, my name is Melanie Naumann.
I help music artists just like you write your second (or next) album by leveraging the ART of writing song lyrics, accompanying you from ...
- knowing what made your debut album work
- find irresistible song ideas
- turn your ideas into captivating lyrics that ...
- hook your audience with your song's first line
- create an emotional connection with your listener right with your lyric's beginning
- communicate what matters to you in a way that resonates with people at a universal level
- deliver a meaningful takeaway that makes an impact or even changes their life
- evaluate your written lyrics so you know what works, and what needs improvement (and how you can make them better)
And I do that while YOU stay the songwriter, and without having to write just 'another damn love song'.
Think of me like a guiding light so you can see in the darkness!
Once you got your strong song ideas locked in, and you know where you want to take your song, everything else will fall into place.
The words will come, the music will come, and the foundation for the production of your next album's songs will be set.
They say: "To start is the hardest," ... or "Facing that blank page can drive one mad."
It ain't when you know ...
- there are only three options to find your one true irresistible idea that can fuel your writing for years to come
- there are only 9 powerful ways to hook your audience with your song's first line (and beat that blank page easily!)
- there's only ONE way to craft powerful lyrics that hook, engage, move, and deliver a meaningful takeaway, so your songs can be impactful and successful at the same time
You can write your second (or next) album without falling into the constant self-doubt if you have what it takes.
Because, when you are here, reading this, you have it!
So, time's already moving way too fast.
Click the button below or use the form directly to schedule a call with me.
We can discuss your next album and how you can exceed everyone's expectations, even your own!
Alternatively, reach out to me here.
The best way to improve is by getting feedback!
If you want to be confident in your lyrics before you record your song, you can now sign up below to get constructive, actionable feedback on your song lyrics. So you know what works and how you can do better so that you can hook, move, and impact your audience with your words.
- STEP #1
Get Your FREE Copy.
So you can grab your listener's attention with your song's first line!
- STEP #2
Discover the Power of Storytelling in Songwriting
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for lyric breakdowns, songwriting tips, tutorials, discography studies, and songwriter battles 🥊.
Thanks for reading,
Melanie.
Stop Second-Guessing Your Lyrics
Get Real Feedback That Moves You Forward
Click below to get constructive, actionable feedback on your song lyrics. So you know what works and how you can do better so that you can hook, move, and impact your audience with your words.
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