From the book “Writing Better Lyrics”, Pat Pattison,© 2001

“Cliches have been worn smooth by overuse. They no longer  mean what they used to. Strong as a bull, eats like a horse, their ship came in, no longer evoke vivid images of bulls, horses and ships. Overuse has made them generic. They suffer from the same malady that infects all generic language: they don’t show - they can only tell.”

Cliche Phrases - Cliche’s come effortlessly...they say something, but nothing startling.

(way down) deep inside
Feel the pain
Gotta take a chance
Touch my (very) soul
We’ve just begun
Can’t stand the pain
Give me half a chance
Such a long time
Hurts so bad
The test of time
Lonely nights
Calling out your name

Cliche Rhymes - when you hear one of these, no need to lose sleep wondering what’s coming next...

Hand / understand / command
Walk / talk
Kiss / miss
Dance / chance / romance
Friend / end
Make it / take it / fake it / shake it
Ache / break
Burn / yearn / learn
Tears / fears
Wrong / strong / long / song