Themes in Lavigne's música include messages of self-empowerment from a female or adolescent point of view.[74] Lavigne believes her "songs are about being yourself no matter what and going after your dreams even if your dreams are crazy and even if people tell you they're never going to come true."[73] On her debut album, Let Go, Lavigne preferred the less mainstream songs, such as "Losing Grip", instead of her mais radio-friendly singles, such as "Complicated", saying that "the songs I did with the Matrix... were good for my first record, but I don't want to be that pop anymore."[75] Lavigne's segundo album, Under My Skin, had mais personal themes underlying each song. Lavigne explained, "I've gone through so much, so that's what I talk about.... Like boys, like dating or relationships".[76] In contrast, her third album, The Best Damn Thing, was not very personal to her. "Some of the songs I wrote didn't even mean that much to me. It's not like some personal thing I'm going through."[77] Her objective in composição literária the album was simply to "make it fun".[78] Goodbye Lullaby, Lavigne's fourth album, is expected to be much mais personal than her earlier records,[54] with Lavigne describing the album as "more stripped down, deeper. All the songs are very emotional".[79]
Lavigne has an alto vocal range.[74] Growing up, Lavigne listened to Blink-182, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty and Shania Twain,[75] and her influences include Courtney amor and Janis Joplin.[76] Because of these influences, musical genres, and her personal style, the media frequently defined her as punk, something she denied being. Lavigne’s close friend and guitarist, Evan Taubenfeld, said, "It's a very touchy subject to a lot of people, but the point is that Avril isn't punk, but she never really pretended to claim to come from that scene. She had pop punk música and the media ended up doing the rest".[80] Lavigne also commented on the matter: "I have been labeled like I'm this angry girl, [a] rebel... punk, and I am so not any of them."[39]
While Lavigne denied being angry, her interviews were still passionate about the media's lack of respect for her songwriting. "I am a writer, and I won't accept people trying to take that away from me", adding that she'd been composição literária "full-structured songs" since she was 14.[39] Despite this, Lavigne’s songwriting has been questioned throughout her career. The songwriting trio, the Matrix, with whom Lavigne wrote songs for her debut album, claimed that they were the main songwriters of Lavigne’s singles, "Complicated", "Sk8er Boi" and "I'm with You". Lavigne denied this, asserting that she was the primary songwriter for every song on the album. "[N]one of those songs aren't from me".[75] In 2007, Chantal Kreviazuk, who wrote with Lavigne on her segundo album, accused Lavigne of plagiarism[81] and criticised her songwriting. "Avril doesn't really sit and write songs por herself or anything".[82] Lavigne also disclaimed this, and considered taking legal action against Kreviazuk for "clear defamation" against her character.[82] Kreviazuk later apologised: "Avril is an accomplished songwriter and it has been my privilege to work with her".[81] Shortly thereafter, Tommy Dunbar, founder of the 1970s band, the Rubinoos, sued Lavigne, her publishing company, and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald for allegedly stealing parts of "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" for her song "Girlfriend".[83] Gottwald defended Lavigne, stating, "me and Avril wrote the song together…. It has the same chord progressions as ten different Blink-182 songs, the standard changes you'd find in a Sum 41 song. It's the Sex Pistols, not the Rubinoos."[82] In January 2008, the lawsuit was closed after a confidential settlement had been reached.[84]