The Power Of Lyrics: How Honest Words And Music Create Timeless Songs

If you’re talking about good music, you simply can’t separate lyrics from the tune. It’s like a thread and beads, one doesn’t shine without the other. To complete a maala, you need both. That’s how I have always seen lyrics and melody intertwined, co-dependent and deeply soulful. 

I started writing poetry when I was in the sixth standard. When I read those early diary entries now, they seem naïve but also honest. That innocence is something I try to preserve in my lyrics, no matter how complex the emotion or the film’s situation might be. 

My professional journey as a lyricist began with my mentor Mahesh Bhatt, a storyteller whose strength lies in weaving songs so seamlessly into the narrative that they never feel like fillers. Our process isn’t just about plot or scenes, we talk about our deepest vulnerabilities. That honesty flows directly into the lyrics. He often says, “Every creation must be truthful.” And that applies to both lyrics and music. 

When I write, I try to keep it as real and honest as possible as I feel that anything spoken from the heart will always resonate with someone else’s journey. That’s what lyrics do for me: they give voice to emotions we often struggle to put into words in our own lives. 

The true power of lyrics in songwriting lies in their unique ability to move hearts and tell stories that resonate across generations. Whether conveying raw emotion or prompting reflection on society, songwriting encompasses themes and narratives capable of uniting audiences worldwide. This not only shapes culture and influences society, but also brings people together through the universal language of music. 

Take, for example, the lullaby “Lori Sunaun” from 1920 - Horrors of the Heart, sung beautifully by Shreya Ghoshal. When I was writing it, I tapped into my love for children. The emotion had to be pure and universal. Similarly, in the title track of Tu Meri Poori Kahani, a musical love story, I poured everything I felt in my heart. The lyrics came first. Anu Malik then composed the tune. Papon sang the original version, and Vishal Mishra and Anmol Malik gave their own renditions. 

While lyrics deliver the message, it is music that amplifies its impact. The sorrow of a lyric paired with a melancholic melody can bring tears, just as uplifting words set to a vibrant tune can lift spirits. The synergy between words and music reveals the true essence of a song, enabling it to stir emotion and transcend mere language.

A song without meaningful lyrics can create a stir like a rocket launch. But a song with soulful lyrics stays in people’s hearts for decades. Just like in nature, how rain and earth together create life, lyrics and music too are inseparable companions. One without the other feels incomplete. A tune may be like the wind, free and flowing but it is the lyrics that give it direction, like the river that finds its path through valleys. Together, they form a natural harmony, reminding us that the most powerful creations are born when two forces blend seamlessly. 

On this International Music Day, I want to say this - with so much noise in today’s world, it’s hard to create something that really connects with people. But the only way forward is to stay connected to your own voice. In the case of writing, that means keep writing honestly, relentlessly. 

Wishing you all a Happy International Music Day. May music and its words continue to heal, move, and connect us all.