What Does a Topline Writer Do? Inside the Art of Crafting Hit Songs
- Chrissie Huntley
- Feb 8
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever wondered who comes up with the catchy melodies and lyrics for your favourite songs, you may be thinking of a topline writer. But what exactly does a topline writer do, and why are they so essential in the music industry? Let’s dive in.
What Is a Topline Writer?
A topline writer is a songwriter who specialises in creating the melody and lyrics for a song over a pre-existing instrumental or track. Their job is to craft the memorable vocal parts that bring a track to life, whether it’s a pop hit, a dance anthem, or an R&B ballad.
What Does a Topline Writer Do?
Melody Creation: They develop the vocal melody that fits harmoniously with the existing chord progression and instrumentation.
Lyric Writing: They craft meaningful, catchy, or emotionally compelling lyrics to accompany the melody.
Vocal Arrangement: They may also structure harmonies, ad-libs, and backing vocals to enhance the overall sound.
Recording Demos: Many topline writers record their own vocal demos to showcase how the melody and lyrics fit within the track.
Collaboration: They often work with producers, artists, and labels to refine and adapt their work to fit the final vision of the song.
Why Are Topline Writers Important?
They add the essential human element to instrumental tracks.
Their melodies and lyrics make songs commercially viable and emotionally impactful.
They allow producers and artists to focus on the music while ensuring the song has a strong vocal presence.
How to Get Started with Topline Writing
If you’re interested in becoming a topline writer, here are some practical steps to help you get started:
1. Train Your Ear and Analyse Songs
Listen to a variety of songs across different genres and break down their melodies, lyrics, and structures. Ask yourself:
What makes the melody catchy?
How do the lyrics connect emotionally?
How does the vocal phrasing fit with the instrumental?
2. Practice Writing Over Existing Instrumentals
Producers often provide instrumentals for topline writers to work with, so practice by writing melodies and lyrics over pre-made backing tracks. Websites like YouTube, Splice, and BeatStars offer instrumental tracks you can experiment with.
3. Develop Strong Lyric Writing Skills
Great topline writers know how to craft lyrics that are simple yet impactful. To improve:
Try writing everyday to develop your lyric-writing muscle.
Use storytelling techniques to create engaging and relatable songs.
Experiment with rhyme schemes and wordplay to make lyrics more dynamic.
4. Improve Your Vocal Delivery
Even if you’re not a professional singer, your demo recordings should clearly showcase your topline ideas. Work on:
Pitch accuracy and expression.
Recording clean, well-phrased vocal demos.
Using harmonies, ad-libs, and vocal effects to enhance your topline.
Investing in a vocal coach can help you with this!
5. Collaborate with Producers and Artists
Topline writing is a collaborative process, so networking is essential. You can:
Connect with producers on platforms like SoundCloud, Youtube, Instagram, or BandLab.
Join songwriting communities and forums.
Attend music networking events to meet potential collaborators.
6. Record and Share Your Work
Start building a portfolio of your topline writing by recording demos and sharing them online. You can:
Upload your work to SoundCloud or YouTube.
Create a simple website or EPK to showcase your songs.
Pitch your topline work to producers and labels.
7. Understand the Business Side
Since topline writing often involves co-writing and royalties, familiarize yourself with:
Music publishing (how songwriting splits and royalties work).
Contracts and agreements to protect your work.
Pitching your work to artists, producers, and music libraries.
Looking for a Topline Writer?
If you need a professional topline writer to help craft your next hit, I’d love to collaborate! Get in touch, and let’s bring your track to life.
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