The thing about using cliches is that they are worn out expressions.

As a songwriter.... should we not try to say something in a new and creative way? Sure.... we have to talk about the same topics.... but... Why would you want to use an expression that has become so common that it's a cliche?

I'm not including the use of a cliche as something to play off of.....to create a new and unique way to look at it....well that fits the creative aspect just fine. When you are using cliche after cliche...and the entire verse/chorus is nothing but cliches..... well, that's where perhaps, one should have taken a bit more time and a better look at trying to say whatever it was they were trying to say in the first place.

THAT... would be the perfect place to re-write the verse. Think carefully about what is said line by line..... then write what was said but write it differently..... where you can not use the same words. It forces you to think creatively.

Some of the songs I have on my music page have been re-written and bounced back and forth between 6 to 15 times. I'm not talking about total re-writes, but perhaps a line, or a verse, sometimes just a few words..... but each time, something is changed to one degree or another.

Listen to Joanne Cooper's original version of Fools Errand and then the final version on my page. I did a rewrite and IIRC, JC was involved and contributed ideas as we worked on the rewrite. That's a recent example I can think of where you can hear the before and after. A rewrite doesn't necessarily have to be a huge difference, although it can be.

The point is that hopefully, some folks will learn how to rewrite their songs, not taking a first draft as a final version, and as a result, improvements will be made to the song in question and it will be the best it can be.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.