What to Put in a Custom Song: 25 Prompts That Make It Personal

What should I write in a custom song for someone?

Short answer: Write the details only you know: their name and nickname, how you met, one funny moment, one hard moment you got through together, and what you want them to feel. Specific beats poetic. A short list of true memories is all the Voirelle quiz needs to write the lyrics.

The quiz is where the magic happens. A great custom song is 80 percent the details you give and 20 percent everything else.

So here is exactly what to share, with prompts you can copy.

Why do specific details matter so much?

Because general words could be about anyone. Specific details can only be about them.

Vague answer Specific answer What it becomes
"He's funny" "He names every car after a wrestler" A line they laugh at every time
"We love travel" "We ate pizza on a curb in Naples at midnight" A verse that takes them back
"She's a great mom" "She hid notes in our lunchboxes" The line that makes her cry
"We've been through a lot" "We got through his surgery in 2021, one hospital coffee at a time" The bridge of the song

What are the best prompts for a custom song?

Answer as many as you can. You will not use all of them, and that is fine.

The basics

  1. What is their full name, and what do you actually call them?
  2. How do you pronounce any tricky names? Spell it out.
  3. What is the occasion, and what is the date?
  4. Who else should be named? Kids, pets, a late parent?

How it started

  1. Where and how did you meet?
  2. What was your first impression, honestly?
  3. What is the first moment you knew they were your person?

Real moments

  1. What is a trip or day you both still talk about?
  2. What is a hard time you got through together?
  3. What is something small they did that meant everything?
  4. What is a time they made you laugh until you cried?

Inside jokes and quirks

  1. What is a phrase only you two use?
  2. What do they always order, say, or do?
  3. What song do they sing badly in the car?
  4. What are they weirdly great at?

Places and things

  1. Where is "your" place: a diner, a porch, a beach, a city?
  2. What object means something: a hoodie, a truck, a ring, a mug?
  3. What does home smell or sound like with them?

Feelings

  1. What do you want to thank them for?
  2. What do you never say out loud but should?
  3. How do you want them to feel when the song ends?

The vibe

  1. What genre do they love: country, pop, R&B, folk, piano, soul?
  2. Should it feel tender, playful, epic, or nostalgic?
  3. Is there a decade or artist whose sound they love? (Describe the feel. We write originals.)
  4. Is it a surprise, and where will they first hear it?

How do your answers become lyrics?

Here is an illustrative example. Say you share:

  • Name: Daniel, called "Danny"
  • Moment: proposed on a broken-down road trip outside Flagstaff
  • Inside joke: he says "we're fine" right before everything goes wrong

Example chorus: "Danny, we're fine, we're fine / Smoke on the hood and your hand in mine / Stuck outside Flagstaff, best wrong turn of my life."

That is a chorus nobody else on earth could claim.

What should you leave out?

  • Long life stories. Pick the best two or three moments.
  • Private details they would not want shared. The song may get played at parties.
  • Lists of adjectives. Swap each one for an example.
  • Copyrighted lyrics. Describe a feeling instead of quoting a famous song.

How many details should you give?

Aim for three strong moments, one inside joke, and one feeling. That is enough for two verses and a chorus. If you have more story to tell, add a 3rd verse for $39.

Want the lyrics on paper too? A lyrics PDF is $19, great for framing or tucking in a card.

What if you get stuck?

Try these:

  • Scroll your camera roll from the last year. Stop at photos that make you smile.
  • Text a friend: "What's the funniest thing you've seen them do?"
  • Think about what you would say in a toast, then make it specific.

For the full process, see how to make a personalized song for someone.

Frequently asked questions

What should I write in a custom song questionnaire?

Share their name and nickname, how you met, two or three specific memories, an inside joke, a habit you love, and the feeling you want them to have. Specific details beat adjectives.

How many memories should I include?

Two or three strong moments plus one inside joke is the sweet spot. If you have more, Voirelle's 3rd verse add-on ($39) gives the story more room.

Can I include kids or pets in the song?

Yes. Add their names and a detail about each. Family and pet names are often the lines people love most.

How many memories should I include in a custom song?

Three to five is the sweet spot. Enough for two verses and a chorus without cramming. If you have more, the 3rd verse add-on ($39) gives the story room.

Should I include inside jokes in a custom song or keep it serious?

Include at least one. Inside jokes are what make people laugh, then cry. Pair it with one sincere line about what they mean to you.

Put your details to work

Got your notes? Start your song and paste them in. You will hear a free preview before you pay, with 48-hour delivery at $79. See more on the Voirelle FAQ.

Fall Sale: 75% off every song. Limited time.

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