It's a hard thing to do coming from genres where innuendo, sound a likes and concepts offer an easier path. I am always dumbfounded at the ability of the writing staffs for country artists to pull off obviously simple yet relevant lyrics that I didn't even think of.
 
Anyone that thinks country is beneath  them should take 3:30 and make a hit that stands up against whats going on now regardless of how bubble gum it is right now.
 
 

While Bit and Bill offer good "artistic" advice, let me demure a bit. Songwriting is both an art AND a craft. Most everybody can easily get the "art" part as that means, on a practical, self-evident basis that you can write whatever the heck you want no matter how self referential or obtuse. And if you don't give a flying frack about anyone who might listen to your magnum opus, and what their takeaway is to it...then proceed on, Sun Ra.

BUT...if you care what others both think of and connect to when listening to your noodlins...then take care and use the CRAFT side of songwriting diligently.

Make sense. Have each new line advance the line that came before it. Have an interesting story to tell. And...and this is very important whether you like it or not...if possible put a "twist" in at the end. Yes...people...even ol curmudgeons...like that. Even though later, on reflection, they might feel a bit of self loathing because they do.

And...most importantly...be friggin concise. If you have to explain your lyrics WITH your lyrics...you have already lost the battle. Both with yourself, and the listener.

Listen to Randy Newman. Listen to John Hiatt. Lennon/McCartney. Lieber/Stoller. Hoagy Carmichael. Steven Sondheim. The list goes on.

And here's one last bit of windbag advice: write about concepts and not occurrences. Unless the occurances represent concepts.

In short...get out of your own tiny head and into the heads of everyone else.

Just my 2 cents.

Well  yourolpal that's how I WAS writing.  In fact they said it reminded them of Paul Simon!  Which I guess is a veiled...something. They want me to write more like Dolly Parton.  I think you missed the gist of the OP.  It's good advice nontheless.  Sondheim is a little obtuse and self referential.  I'd recommend Gershwin and Hammerstein.  Oh, and don't use the impersonal you when discussing things with people, it's insulting.

I'll be as impersonal as I care to be, thanks all the same, ol stick. Take it as you will.

yorolpal
 
if you care what others both think of and connect to when listening to your noodlins...then take care and use the CRAFT side of songwriting diligently.

Make sense. Have each new line advance the line that came before it. Have an interesting story to tell. And...and this is very important whether you like it or not...if possible put a "twist" in at the end. Yes...people...even ol curmudgeons...like that. Even though later, on reflection, they might feel a bit of self loathing because they do.

And...most importantly...be friggin concise. If you have to explain your lyrics WITH your lyrics...you have already lost the battle. Both with yourself, and the listener.

 
This is very, very good advice.

While I am not a great county fan some if Mary Chapin Carpenter's songs make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Proof county songs do not have to "pedestrian".

Glyn Barnes
While I am not a great county fan some if Mary Chapin Carpenter's songs make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Proof county songs do not have to "pedestrian".

+1, in particular, 'I Have A Need For Solitude', that's a gorgeous song.

I think it's in the water down there.
 
My step mom was from Tennessee.
They just form sentences differently than the rest of us.
 

eph
What do I do?

Stwat it up in Am.

yorolpal
Just my 2 cents.

That's the difference...you've got the 2 cents to offer up - because you get paid for your work. Most of us only get paid in personal satisfaction.
 
However, if the OP does have commercial ambitions, then your advice is much better than mine. Big and Rich go to work in a private jet, and they didn't pay for it with artistic satisfaction points.