COMPLETE GUIDE

Suno Custom Lyrics: The Ultimate Guide

Master structure tags, formatting, and writing techniques for professional AI songs

Custom lyrics give you full control over your Suno generations. Instead of relying on AI-generated words, you write exactly what gets sung. This guide covers everything from basic structure tags to advanced techniques for professional-sounding results.

For a complete overview, see our complete guide to Suno prompts.

Structure Tags Reference

Structure tags tell Suno how to organize your song. They appear in square brackets and define sections like verses, choruses, and bridges.

Basic Section Tags

[Intro]
Opening section, often instrumental
[Verse]
Main storytelling section
[Verse 1], [Verse 2]
Numbered verses for clarity
[Pre-Chorus]
Build-up before chorus
[Chorus]
Main hook, repeated section
[Hook]
Alternative to chorus, catchy phrase
[Bridge]
Contrast section, different melody
[Outro]
Closing section
[End]
Signals song should end

Instrumental & Break Tags

[Instrumental]
No vocals, just music
[Instrumental Break]
Short musical interlude
[Guitar Solo]
Featured guitar section
[Breakdown]
Stripped-down section
[Build]
Intensity increasing
[Drop]
Heavy beat hits (EDM)

Vocal Delivery Tags

[Whispered]
Soft, intimate delivery
[Spoken Word]
Talking, not singing
[Belted]
Powerful, full voice
[Soft]
Gentle, quiet vocals
[Raspy]
Rough, textured voice
[Harmonies]
Multiple vocal layers

Combined Tags

You can combine descriptors with section tags:

[Soft Verse]
Quiet, intimate verse
[Powerful Chorus]
Full-energy hook
[Whispered Bridge]
Soft contrast section
[Epic Outro]
Big, dramatic ending

Standard Song Structures

Here are common song structures with typical durations:

Pop/Rock Structure (2:30-3:30)

Intro 4-8 bars, sets the mood
Verse 1 8-16 bars, introduce story
Chorus 8 bars, main hook
Verse 2 8-16 bars, develop story
Chorus 8 bars, repeat hook
Bridge 4-8 bars, contrast
Chorus 8-16 bars, final hook
Outro 4-8 bars, fade or ending

Hip-Hop/Rap Structure (2:30-3:30)

Intro 4 bars, beat intro or hook tease
Hook/Chorus 8 bars, catchy repeated section
Verse 1 16 bars, first verse
Hook 8 bars
Verse 2 16 bars, second verse
Hook 8 bars
Outro 4-8 bars, fade or ad-libs

Complete Lyrics Examples

Example 1: Indie Pop Song

[Intro] (Instrumental - guitar picking) [Verse 1] Walking down these empty streets Shadows dancing at my feet Every corner holds a memory Of the way we used to be [Pre-Chorus] And I know, I know You're not coming back this time [Chorus] But I'm still holding on To every word you said Playing like a song Inside my head I'm still holding on [Verse 2] Coffee shops and rainy days Remind me of your quiet ways I see your face in crowded rooms Gone too fast, gone too soon [Pre-Chorus] And I know, I know You're not coming back this time [Chorus] But I'm still holding on To every word you said Playing like a song Inside my head I'm still holding on [Bridge] Maybe someday I'll let go Maybe someday I'll know How to breathe without you here [Chorus] I'm still holding on To every word you said Playing like a song Inside my head I'm still holding on [Outro] Still holding on... [End]

Example 2: Hip-Hop Track

[Intro] Yeah, yeah Let's go [Hook] Started from the bottom now we rise Every night we chasing after bigger skies They said we'd never make it, that's no surprise Look at us now, look at us now [Verse 1] Came up with nothing but a dream and a pen Wrote my story down again and again Late nights grinding while they sleep in their beds Now they asking how I got so ahead Mama working double shifts just to pay rent Every dollar that she made was heaven sent Told her one day I'ma buy her a house Now I'm signing deals they can't figure out [Hook] Started from the bottom now we rise Every night we chasing after bigger skies They said we'd never make it, that's no surprise Look at us now, look at us now [Verse 2] Critics talking but they never seen the work All the pain and all the struggles and the hurt Every setback was a setup for the best Now I'm standing on a stage feeling blessed Used to count my change just to buy a meal Now the only thing I'm counting is the deals From the concrete to the penthouse view Stayed true to the vision, see it through [Hook] Started from the bottom now we rise Every night we chasing after bigger skies They said we'd never make it, that's no surprise Look at us now, look at us now [Outro] Yeah... look at us now Look at us now [End]

Syllable Counts & Rhythm

Matching syllable counts across lines creates natural rhythm. Suno handles lyrics better when corresponding lines have similar lengths.

Line Text Syllables
Line 1 "Walking down these empty streets" 7
Line 2 "Shadows dancing at my feet" 7
Line 3 "Every corner holds a memory" 9
Line 4 "Of the way we used to be" 7
Pro Tip: Aim for 6-10 syllables per line. Lines that are too long get rushed; lines that are too short may have awkward pauses.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

Mistake 1: Lines Too Long

Too Long

I've been walking through this city every single night wondering if you'll ever come back to me again

25 syllables - will be rushed

Just Right

Walking through this city Every single night Wondering if you'll come back Come back to me tonight

6-7 syllables per line

Mistake 2: No Structure Tags

No Tags

This is my verse about life And now this is my chorus Back to another verse Chorus again here

Suno doesn't know what's what

With Tags

[Verse 1] This is my verse about life [Chorus] Now this is my chorus [Verse 2] Another verse right here [Chorus] Chorus again here

Clear structure

Mistake 3: Too Many Words

Overcrowded

[Verse] I remember all the times we spent together Every moment every second every day You and me against the world forever Nothing could ever get in our way We would talk for hours about nothing Laughing at jokes that no one else got Those were the days I'll never forget...

Too dense for one verse

Balanced

[Verse] I remember all those times You and me against the world Talking late into the night Those days I'll never forget [Instrumental Break]

Room to breathe

Mistake 4: Unsingable Words

Awkward

Entrepreneurship and cryptocurrency Revolutionizing infrastructure

Too many syllables, hard to sing

Singable

Building up my empire Changing up the game

Same meaning, easier to sing

Formatting Best Practices

Avoid These:
  • Parentheses around lyrics (save for stage directions only)
  • ALL CAPS (implies shouting, often sounds unnatural)
  • Emoji (they get ignored or cause issues)
  • URLs or email addresses
  • Foreign language mixed with English (unless intentional)

Advanced Techniques

Controlling Repetition

Want the exact same chorus every time? Copy-paste it identically. Want variation? Write slightly different versions.

// Exact repetition: [Chorus] We are the ones who shine We are the ones who rise [Chorus] We are the ones who shine We are the ones who rise // Variation: [Chorus] We are the ones who shine We are the ones who rise [Final Chorus] We were the ones who shined We were the ones who rose

Ad-Libs and Background Vocals

Use parentheses sparingly for background elements:

[Chorus] Rise up (rise up) Stand tall (stand tall) We won't fall tonight (No, we won't fall)

Forcing Instrumental Sections

To ensure instrumental breaks, use explicit tags with optional descriptions:

[Instrumental Break - Guitar Solo] [Instrumental - Soft Piano] [Breakdown - Drums Only]

Dynamic Changes

Control energy shifts with descriptive tags:

[Soft Verse] In the quiet of the morning When the world is still asleep [Building Pre-Chorus] But I can feel it rising Something deep inside of me [Explosive Chorus] I'M ALIVE, I'M AWAKE NOTHING'S GONNA HOLD ME BACK

Lyrics Templates

Pop Ballad Template

[Intro] (Piano or soft guitar) [Verse 1] 4 lines, 6-8 syllables each Set the scene, introduce the feeling [Pre-Chorus] 2 lines, build tension [Chorus] 4-6 lines, main hook Most memorable part [Verse 2] 4 lines, develop the story [Pre-Chorus] Same as before or slight variation [Chorus] Repeat [Bridge] 2-4 lines, different melody Emotional peak or revelation [Soft Chorus] Stripped down version [Final Chorus] Full power, maybe extended [Outro] Fade out or final line [End]

Upbeat Pop Template

[Intro - Energetic] (Beat drops in) [Verse 1] 4 lines, upbeat delivery Party/fun/confident theme [Pre-Chorus] 2 lines, building energy [Chorus - Drop] Catchy hook, danceable Repeat key phrase [Instrumental Break] [Verse 2] 4 lines [Pre-Chorus] [Chorus] [Bridge - Breakdown] Strip it back, build again [Final Chorus - Big Drop] Maximum energy [Outro] [End]

Frequently Asked Questions

What structure tags does Suno recognize?

Suno recognizes [Intro], [Verse], [Verse 1], [Verse 2], [Pre-Chorus], [Chorus], [Hook], [Bridge], [Breakdown], [Instrumental], [Outro], [End], and variations like [Soft Verse] or [Powerful Chorus]. You can also combine descriptors like [Whispered Bridge] or [Epic Outro].

How long should lyrics be for a Suno song?

For a standard 2-3 minute song, aim for 150-250 words. For Suno's 4-minute maximum, you can use up to 350-400 words. Generally, fewer words with strategic repetition sounds more natural than cramming in too much text.

Why do my lyrics get cut off or rushed?

This usually happens when you have too many words per section or uneven syllable counts. Solutions: shorten your lines to 6-8 syllables, add [Instrumental Break] tags between sections, reduce total word count, or split long verses into verse 1 and verse 2.

How do I make Suno repeat the chorus?

Write out the chorus each time you want it sung, or use the [Chorus] tag multiple times. For exact repetition, copy-paste the identical lyrics. For variation, write slightly different versions labeled [Chorus] and [Final Chorus].

Can I control vocal delivery with lyrics?

Yes! Use descriptive tags before sections: [Whispered Verse], [Belted Chorus], [Spoken Word], [Raspy Bridge], [Soft and Tender], [Powerful and Emotional]. These influence how Suno performs the vocals.

How do I add harmonies or backing vocals?

Use parentheses for background vocals: "Rise up (rise up)" or add a [Harmonies] tag before sections. You can also specify in your style prompt: "layered harmonies, backing vocals."

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