How to Write a Hook That Sticks

The hook is the part of your song people remember. The part they sing along to in the car and can't get out of their head. You don't need to be a singer to write one. With these steps you'll write a hook that sticks.

What is a hook?

A hook is the recurring part of your song that grabs the listener. In rap it's usually the chorus, but it can also be a short line, an ad-lib or a little melody that keeps coming back. The difference with a verse: a verse tells the story, the hook sums it up.

1. Start with one line that says it all

Ask yourself: what's this song about, in one sentence? That sentence is often already the core of your hook. The shorter and clearer, the better. People should be able to repeat it after one listen.

2. Repeat, then repeat again

Repetition isn't lazy, it's the whole trick. Repeat your core line two or four times, or alternate it with a second line that answers it. The ear needs repetition to remember something.

3. Choose: melody or rhythm

A hook can stick because of a melody you can hum, or because of a rhythm that sits nicely on the beat. Don't sing? You can rap a strong hook with a catchy rhythm or a few words that land right on the kick. Try both and record it on your phone.

4. Use simple words

The best hooks use words everyone knows. Save your complicated wordplay for the verse.

5. Give the hook room in the beat

A good hook needs space. Pick a beat where the chorus section gets a bit fuller or emptier, so your hook stands out. Also leave breathing room between your lines.

6. Test it on other people

Play the hook a few times for someone who doesn't know the song. Ask them the next day if they still remember how it went. If they do, you're good. If not, make it shorter or simpler.

Common mistakes

• Too long: nobody remembers a hook with eight different lines.
• Too complicated: too many words or a melody that's too hard.
• No contrast with the verse: if the hook sounds just like your verse, it won't stand out.
• Too late: don't make the listener wait too long for your hook.

Keep writing

Looking for a beat to write on? Check out the beats. Want a starting point for your chorus melody? Try the free chord generator. Stuck? Read writer's block: 8 ways to start writing again. Telling a story in your song? Read storytelling in rap.

FAQ

How long should a hook be?

There's no fixed rule, but shorter is usually better. A lot of hooks are a few short lines that repeat. Hooks are often counted in bars. Read what a bar is in rap.

Does a hook have to rhyme?

It doesn't have to, but rhyme and repetition do make a hook easier to remember.

Can I write a hook if I can't sing?

Yes. A rapped hook with a strong rhythm or a few words that land right on the beat works just as well.