When I first started writing songs, I didn’t give any thought to rhyme schemes at all. Without realizing it, I used the same two rhyme schemes over and over for five years: ABAB and AA. My writing got stale and boring, but it took me a while to realize that the overused rhyme schemes were my problem. Feeling stale? Try a fresh new rhyme scheme. Whether you’re writing poetry, rap lyrics, or songs in any musical genre, different rhyme schemes pull different material out of you. Trying out a new rhyme scheme disrupts your usual habits and unlocks new ideas. And just like a chord progression, each rhyme scheme creates patterns of suspense and release. Rhyme can make words themselves sound beautifully musical. Below I’ve listed some four-line rhyme schemes for you to play with. Schemes you’re unfamiliar with may feel a bit strange at first, but stick with them–they can lead to real breakthroughs in your songwriting. abab An interlocking rhyme scheme. Rhyme line 1 with line 3; also line 2 with line 4. A classic, often-used rhyme scheme. xaxa This scheme’s a little looser and less predictable than some of the others. Rhyme lines 2 and 4; make sure that lines 1 and 3 don’t rhyme. The two non-rhymed lines will allow you some freedom–and save mileage on your rhyming dictionary. ( you do have one, right?  Or an App like B-Rhymes Pro?) aabb This scheme divides a section of four lines into two rhymed couplets, each of which sounds kind of complete  unto itself. aaaa This one’s tough to pull off. To relieve monotony, you might try making some of the lines much shorter than the others—varying line length will make it sound less predictable. axaa Line 2 is all alone, left hanging. This scheme contains a bit of tension–try it and see. abba A rhyming pair sandwiched inside of another rhyming pair. axxa Like XAXA above, AXXA is a wild card. The two middle lines are unpredictable; they don’t rhyme with each other or any other line in the stanza. This one’s a personal favorite of mine; I like the way those two middle lines keep the audience in suspense. I also like the way the last line releases the tension. Exercise If you’ve been mostly using ABAB and AABB like I was, try one of the rhyme schemes above for the verse sections of your next song. Write the scheme at the top of the page and get started–if you need a song idea, no worries–you can free write until an interesting lyric premise falls out.

That's such great advice. Definately going to play around with these new rhyme ideas. Thanks Eddie.

One of my approaches is to never use any hard rhymes, unless I just can't find any soft ones that do the job........Gus

I prefer to think of and view rhyming schemes vertically, corresponding to the lines of verse where the rhyming words appear. For example, I would write the "abab" rhyming scheme as follows: a b a b In turn, the limerick rhyming scheme (lines 1, 2, and 4 rhyme, with a double rhyme within line 3) would be written as follows: a a b-b a I always write a song's music before I attempt to write any lyrics. Oftentimes, the music will suggest its own rhyming scheme. For example, I have at least a couple of songs, where the music suggested the following rhyming scheme (lines 1 and 2, lines 3 and 6, and lines 4 and 5 rhyme): a a b c c b Finally, wherever possible, I try to rhyme more than one word between lines, like this: When shopping for a honey Don't be dropping too much money

I had an idea for a fun group challenge - a group collaboration.  The idea is that each person add two lines to the lines that already exist.  There is no title yet, intentionally - hopefully, as the lyrics would progress, a title (or hook) would come to someone.  There is no storyline yet as well, also intentionally.  I thought we could all have some fun brainstorming on this one, to see what we come up with. If someone has a great idea for a chorus, go ahead and supply the two lines, but make sure that you let everyone else know that those two lines are the beginning of the chorus.If you come up with two lines to add to the existing lyrics, copy and paste the existing lyrics into a new reply, and add your two lines.  You can add more than 2 lines to the overall effort, but after adding your two lines, allow someone else to contribute the next couple lines. Maybe this will work, maybe it won't.  Maybe I've taken leave of my senses (wouldn't be the first time - LOL!)  Sometimes it's hard enough with just two people collaborating, LOL. This is the first time that something like this has ever been attempted on SongRamp in its 14 year history (that I'm aware of) so let's see what we can do and see what happens. Although it's a challenge, we may surprise ourselves, and make this a SongRamp first!  I'll start it off with two lines that kind of popped into my head. With the holidays right around the corner, maybe we could make this a holiday themed song?  Just an idea. It was a cold night in NashvilleAs she stepped out of the cab  

It was a cold night in Nashville As she stepped out of the cab Free spirit, hiding from life An angel in olive drab.

  Love this idea Dale, and great pick up Larry. Okay I'll add my 2c hehehe.   It was a cold night in Nashville As she stepped out of the cab Free spirit, hiding from life An angel in olive drab. Sat on a bench in Bradley Park Waiting for sunrise in the dark

It was a cold night in NashvilleAs she stepped out of the cabFree spirit, hiding from lifeAn angel in olive drab.Sat on a bench in Bradley ParkWaiting for sunrise in the darkKnowing the odds weren't good todayStill, hoping that things were gonna change

It was a cold night in NashvilleAs she stepped out of the cabFree spirit, hiding from lifeAn angel in olive drab.Sat on a bench in Bradley ParkWaiting for sunrise in the darkKnowing the odds weren't good todayStill, hoping that things were gonna change"You've given good service" She'd heard them sayBut what  good was that  when she  looked at yesterday

It was a cold night in NashvilleAs she stepped out of the cabFree spirit, hiding from lifeAn angel in olive drab. Sat on a bench in Bradley ParkWaiting for sunrise in the darkKnowing the odds weren't good todayStill, hoping that things were gonna change "You've given good service" She'd heard them sayBut what  good was that  when she  looked at yesterdaySuddenly her thoughts began to raceAs a line of sweat ran down her face        

It was a cold night in NashvilleAs she stepped out of the cabFree spirit, hiding from lifeAn angel in olive drab.   Sat on a bench in Bradley ParkWaiting for sunrise in the darkKnowing the odds weren't good todayStill, hoping that things were gonna change   "You've given good service" She'd heard them sayBut what  good was that  when she  looked at yesterday Suddenly her thoughts began to raceAs a line of sweat ran down her faceShe'd never faced the world aloneAnd now she was so far from home

It was a cold night in NashvilleAs she stepped out of the cabFree spirit, hiding from lifeAn angel in olive drab. Sat on a bench in Bradley ParkWaiting for sunrise in the darkKnowing the odds weren't good todayStill, hoping that things were gonna change "You've given good service" She'd heard them sayBut what  good was that  when she  looked at yesterdaySuddenly her thoughts began to raceAs a line of sweat ran down her face She'd never faced the world aloneAnd now she was so far from homeSo she picked up her backpackHeading east across the tracks

Chorus?She was a Nashville honeyno room no car no money Ok I got four more lines before I could stop then I remembered the rules :D 

(I think one person should write the chorus, seeing as it's usually a "train of thought") ((just a suggestion))

I agree with Skipp.  The chorus might then be stronger as it's one writer's stream of thoughts.Dale you started us off. What do you think?   : ) I'm good either way. 

Ahh but someone else may come up with a direction I didn't think of.  That's the beauty of these things.  :)

Having the Chorus done by just one person works for me.  Go for it!  

Ok here's the rest of it.  Keep it or sweep it. she came to town to make the roundsbelting out that Country soundthinking stardom could be foundbut all that getting knocked aroundput her feet back on the ground

Or this could replace some lines and be more repetative  She was a Nashville honeyno room no car no money

Or someone could come up with something entirely different :)