· By Will Harken
AI Generated Song Lyrics: Pros & Cons
AI is shaking things up in songwriting. Just feed tools like ChatGPT a basic idea, and voilà! You've got lyrics that could fool anyone into thinking they were penned by a human. So, how do they fit into the music scene?
Did you know? The first AI lyric generator I came across was Botnik. I used it back in 2020 to craft my song "Was That Real." At that time, it mainly churned out silly parody content, like nonsensical Harry Potter stories.
Using AI: The Bright Side 🔥
First off, AI lyric generators are a goldmine of inspiration. Feeling stuck? Toss the AI a theme, and watch the creativity flow. It's a lifesaver for anyone facing writer's block.
Speed is a major plus. Why spend hours sweating over lines when AI can get you most of the way there in just minutes?
For example, Suno.ai acts like both a songwriter and a producer, whipping up "demo" quality songs just from your idea.
And let’s talk accessibility. AI lyric tools empower anyone to create music—no special skills needed. If you want to simplify things and still end up with quality tunes, check out my custom music service. You can even change lyrics to popular songs while crafting your original music.
Using AI: The Downside 🙈
Now, let’s be real. A lot of AI lyrics can miss the mark. They often lean on heavy rhymes, lack repetition, or come off as super cliché.
👉👉 If you want "good" lyrics from ChatGPT, a smart way is to have it remix lyrics from a song you already love with new themes. Try prompting it like this:
Please modify the lyrics below to create a new song.
IMPORTANT: Your new lyrics should match the original song's rhyme scheme and syllable count.
Include these themes, emotions, and ideas:
[Insert theme/emotions/lyrics here]
Here are the original lyrics:
[Insert original song lyrics here]
Originality can also suffer when using AI. If AI does most of the work, can you really claim it as your own?
Don’t forget about becoming dependent. Rely too heavily on AI, and you might lose touch with your own creativity. It's tempting, I get it.
And the emotional depth? Critics argue that AI doesn’t really grasp human feelings. After all, music is about connection, right?
Just so you know, I have my doubts about how “AI” many tools really are. Sure, anything a computer does can be labeled AI, but I'm talking about genuine machine learning. Many platforms are just fancy interfaces running ChatGPT in the background.
Finding Balance
So, is using AI cheating, or simply a clever trick? It’s all about balance. AI can spark ideas and help you push through blocks, but the core of your song still needs to come from you.
While I’m not a fan of AI-generated lyrics, LyricStudio offers some interesting features. It’s more AI-assisted than fully AI-driven—it suggests next lines based on what you provide. Plus, it can help you brainstorm right from scratch.
Ultimately, if a song strikes a chord, does it matter if AI played a role? The vibe and authenticity are what really count.
Wrap Up
AI-generated song lyrics are stirring the pot in music, that's for sure. They’re dynamic, fascinating, and sometimes contentious.
But like any tool, how you use it defines its worth. Use AI wisely, and always pour your heart into your art.
The human touch is what transforms a good track into a memorable one. AI can help, but it can’t replicate the raw emotions we infuse in our music. That’s solely our domain.
Curious about the music tech universe? Dive into my AI Vocal Engineering Series.
Want to explore AI's future in music? Find out more here.
And if you're looking to elevate your music production skills, grab my tips for creating a low-budget music video right here.