This essential guide to writing effective, evocative lyrics for a range of modern musical style takes a fresh, original approach to a subject that most songwriting guides tend to ignore. James Scott entertains as much as he informs as he takes the reader through the essential concepts and ideas that separate good lyrics from bad. Subjects covered include rhythm, rhyme, emotional concepts, song structures, managing your creativity and James Scott’s own concept of "lyrical detchment" – the relationship between lyrics and their subject matter that separates the cheesy from the evocative. Throughout, James uses practical examples from songs of all genres to illustrate and guide the reader through the concepts he is explaining. This book is a superb resource for anyone who wants to write better lyrics, such as those who do not speak English as a first language or those who are struggling. It is also an excellent read for anyone with an interest in the subject, and James Scott’s passion and enthusiasm for the subject makes it a supremely entertaining guide to what is often a dry and technical subject.