Co-writing — writing a song with one or more partners — is one of the most common practices in professional songwriting. Many of the biggest hits in music history were written by teams of writers. Co-writing combines different perspectives, skills, and ideas to create something greater than what any individual writer could produce alone.
Bring ideas to the session — song titles, lyric fragments, chord progressions, melody ideas, or concepts. Even if you end up going in a completely different direction, having starting material shows commitment and gives the session momentum. The worst co-writing sessions are the ones where everyone shows up empty-handed.
While preparation is important, flexibility is essential. The best co-written songs often emerge from unexpected places. Be willing to abandon your ideas if the collaboration leads somewhere better. The goal is a great song, not proving that your idea was the best one.
If something isn't working, say so — but constructively. "What if we tried a different approach to the chorus?" is better than "I don't like the chorus." Similarly, if your partner suggests something you disagree with, explain your concern rather than dismissing the idea outright. Good co-writing requires honest communication wrapped in mutual respect.
If one writer excels at melody and the other at lyrics, let each person lead in their area of strength. This doesn't mean staying in rigid lanes — some of the best moments in co-writing come when someone contributes unexpectedly outside their usual role. But letting strengths lead creates an efficient foundation.
Co-writing requires compromise. Not every idea you love will make it into the final song, and some ideas your partner champions will make the song better in ways you didn't initially see. Healthy compromise isn't about settling — it's about finding the version of the song that's best for the song, not best for either writer's ego.
Agree on credit splits and ownership early — ideally before the writing session begins. A common default is equal splits among all writers, but some partnerships work differently. Having this conversation handled allows you to focus entirely on creativity during the session itself.
Co-writing is a skill that combines creative ability with interpersonal dynamics. By coming prepared, staying open, communicating well, and focusing on the song rather than individual ego, you can create music that showcases the best of multiple creative voices.
For help finding rhymes and words during your co-writing sessions, Fast Rhymes is a quick, accessible tool that both you and your co-writer can use.
10/11/2025
Everything you need to write songs & poetry.
