Master Rule

"There are only three principles necessary for a lyric writer. They underlie everything I've ever written. In no particular order, and to be written in stone: Content Dictates Form, Less Is More, God Is in the Details - all in the service of Clarity without which nothing else matters. If a lyric writes observes this mantra rigorously, he can turn out a respectable lyric. If he also has a feeling for music and rhythm, a sense of theater and something to say, he can turn out an interesting one. If in addition he has qualities such as humor, style, imagination and the numerous other gifts every writer should use, he might even turn out a good one."

Stephen Sondheim