The basics of songwriting can be categorized into 4 sections. Song structure, chord progression, lyrics, and melody. This order is not a set in stone way of writing a song. For me, each song has come about in different ways, some processes more than others. Sometimes I get a melody stuck in my head. Sometimes I think of a lyric line that leads the way to becoming a whole song.
There are many songwriters who can write great melodies and have the song structure and chord progression tie together beautifully, but their lyrics brings the song a few levels down. So remember that songs are not just musical notes, but are words that are sung.
First, what is considered to be bad lyrics? Bad lyrics are a set of words and phrases that contain no variety and fail to stir up an emotion from the listener. Bad lyrics are also words and phrases that have been overly rehashed. Some of these turn into cliches. How do cliches occur? They are repeated over and over again and begins to have less and less power each time it gets repeated. Then when someone hears these cheesy lines, they internally cringe, sometimes even without realizing that they are cringing.
Why do you think people don't listen to Backstreet Boys or Spice Girls anymore? I'm sure there are a few people who still listen to Backstreet Boys, but for the most part, people don't listen to it not only because of the evolution of music but also because of the lyrics. Here's an example by the Backstreet Boys from a song called 'Everybody'.
