Professional lyric evaluation for songwriters preparing to pitch
Get consistent, objective lyric feedback using industry-aligned screening criteria. Know where your song stands before you pitch it.
For professional and aspiring songwriters working toward placement, publishing deals, and Pitch Ready material.
How It Works
Submit for evaluation
Paste your lyrics, select genre and intent. A standard Preview evaluation runs immediately and returns scored lyric feedback across multiple criteria.
Review feedback and identify revisions
Line-level notes highlight weak spots. Scoring shows where the song needs work. Readiness assessment indicates if the song is Not Ready, Needs Revision, or Pitch Ready.
Revise and resubmit with confidence
Make changes and run again. Track versions in Draft Mode. Stop revising when your song meets professional standards.
Evaluation Modes
HookSmith offers multiple lyric evaluation modes depending on your songwriting and revision workflow.
Choose the evaluation approach that matches your workflow and revision stage.
Preview Mode
A snapshot of where your song stands right now.
Single-pass evaluation for writers who want a quick, professional read on their lyrics. No account required. Lyrics are evaluated in-session and are not saved.
What it does:
- • Returns scored feedback across hook strength, originality, emotional payoff, and structure
- • Provides line-level notes on weak spots and opportunities
- • Delivers readiness assessment (Not Ready / Needs Revision / Pitch Ready)
What it does not do:
- • Does not save evaluation history
- • Does not track changes between versions
- • Does not compare revisions
Draft Mode
Focused on revision and iterative improvement.
For writers actively rewriting songs and managing multiple drafts. Account required.
What it does:
- • Unlimited re-runs; up to 20 evaluations saved with version history
- • Organizes songs by title for portfolio management
What it does not do:
- • Does not provide delta comparison between versions
- • Does not show score trends over time
- • Does not simulate publisher screening decisions
HookSmith launches with Preview and Draft modes. Additional evaluation modes are planned and will be introduced after launch.
Workshop Mode
Coming Soon
Deeper analysis for professional songwriters who want to understand how revisions affect evaluation outcomes.
Workshop Mode will allow writers to compare lyric versions over time, observe score movement, and identify which revisions materially improved evaluation results versus cosmetic changes.
This mode is designed for disciplined iteration—not creative coaching—and builds on Draft Mode's version history and scoring consistency.
What it will do:
- • Compare evaluations across lyric revisions
- • Show score movement and category-level trends
- • Distinguish meaningful revisions from non-impactful edits
What it will not do:
- • Generate or suggest lyrics
- • Simulate publisher forward/screen-out decisions
- • Replace professional A&R feedback
Screening Mode
Coming Soon
An industry-style submission decision: forward or screen-out.
Screening Mode will simulate the final gate used by publishers, A&R teams, and music supervisors when reviewing pitch-ready material. It is designed for songs you believe are ready for submission and want evaluated under stricter, binary screening conditions.
This mode emphasizes decision clarity over development feedback.
Planned feature. Not available at launch.
What it will do:
- • Apply industry-aligned screening logic
- • Issue a clear forward or screen-out decision
- • Assess pitch readiness for publishing and sync contexts
What it will not do:
- • Guarantee placement or acceptance
- • Provide coaching or revision advice
- • Replace industry relationships or legal guidance
Industry-Aligned Evaluation Logic
HookSmith applies consistent screening criteria modeled on the evaluation frameworks used by music supervisors, A&R professionals, and publisher screeners. Feedback is standardized, repeatable, and objective.
This is not subjective opinion. Evaluation criteria focus on craft fundamentals: hook clarity, lyric economy, emotional arc, and commercial viability. The same song evaluated twice will return consistent results. Scoring discipline is enforced across all evaluations using fixed criteria and half-point increments.
HookSmith does not replace mentorship, co-writing sessions, or professional critique. It provides a baseline evaluation you can run repeatedly as you revise, offering the kind of structured feedback songwriters typically receive only after submission.
Common Questions
Is this an AI songwriting tool?
No. HookSmith evaluates lyrics you have already written. It does not generate, rewrite, or suggest new lyrics. It assesses craft quality and pitch readiness.
Is this for beginners or professionals?
HookSmith is designed for songwriters working toward professional standards. That includes aspiring writers developing their craft and established writers refining pitch material. If you are writing songs to pitch, place, or publish, this tool is for you.
How is this different from feedback forums or critique groups?
Feedback forums provide subjective opinions that vary by listener. HookSmith applies consistent evaluation criteria every time. Use it for objective baseline assessment before seeking human feedback, or as a revision checkpoint between critique sessions.
Does this replace a publisher, mentor, or co-writer?
No. HookSmith provides structured feedback aligned with industry standards, but it does not replace relationships, networking, or professional mentorship. Think of it as a revision tool that helps you submit stronger material.
What does "Pitch Ready" mean?
Pitch Ready means the song meets baseline professional standards for submission to music supervisors, publishers, or placement opportunities. It does not guarantee acceptance, but it indicates the lyric quality is competitive.
Can I use this for collaborative writing?
Yes. Run evaluations during revision sessions to identify weak spots and track improvement. Draft Mode saves versions so you can review feedback history as the song develops.
Why didn't my score increase after I made changes?
HookSmith scores reflect competitive readiness, not incremental polish. Some revisions improve clarity or flow without changing how the song would perform in a professional screening context. In those cases, feedback may change while the score remains stable. Scores typically increase only when revisions materially strengthen the hook, emotional payoff, originality, or overall pitch viability.
If I fixed the notes, shouldn't my score go up?
Not always. Professional songs often receive notes even when they are already pitch ready. HookSmith mirrors real-world evaluation: many revisions improve a song without changing its competitive position. A stable score means the song remains at the same professional level, not that the changes didn't help.
What kinds of changes actually move scores?
Scores tend to move when revisions:
- • Make the hook more immediate, memorable, or repeatable
- • Clarify or elevate the song's emotional arc
- • Add specificity or originality that distinguishes the lyric in its genre
- • Resolve issues that would cause a screener to hesitate
Polish-level changes may improve the lyric without affecting the score.
Why does HookSmith still suggest tweaks if my song is Pitch Ready?
"Pitch Ready" does not mean "perfect." It means the song meets baseline professional standards for submission. Optional polish notes reflect areas with remaining headroom, not requirements for readiness. Many songs are forwarded or released with similar notes.
Want to understand more about how HookSmith scoring works?
Read our detailed FAQ on scoring →How do I know if my lyrics are ready to pitch?
Use HookSmith to get an objective readiness assessment. If your song scores consistently high across hook strength, originality, structure, and emotional payoff, and receives a "Pitch Ready" verdict, it meets baseline professional standards. Screening Mode provides an industry-style forward or screen-out decision for final confirmation.
What do publishers look for in song lyrics?
Publishers prioritize strong hooks, clear emotional payoff, originality within genre conventions, and professional craft standards. They look for lyrics that connect quickly, avoid clichés, and demonstrate commercial viability. HookSmith evaluates these same criteria to help you understand how your lyrics align with industry expectations.