Writing lyrics, anyone here done it, tips and advice?
Discussion
The whole point of a song is that it's meant to be about topics that are personal to you. Why do you think the lyrics seem daft? There are many songs with odd lyrics that are brilliant. Which bit are you struggling with?
I know 3 song writers who are signed to labels, the tip seemed to be to never just pick up a rhyming dictionary to create your songs.
Post up some of your lyrics and we can give feedback.
Do you write lyrics before the melody?
I know 3 song writers who are signed to labels, the tip seemed to be to never just pick up a rhyming dictionary to create your songs.
Post up some of your lyrics and we can give feedback.
Do you write lyrics before the melody?
I've done more music (beat) making then writing songs but when recording artists (rappers) I've found it useful to have a few ideas to help the process along.
What does the music say to you? I've always preferred music that has a "pull" to it. I like club bangers don't get me wrong but I'll always drop those for something that has a message/story before any words are spoken. Write down what that message/story is.
Speak with the artist once they've received the music and repeat above process with them as they might hear something different to you and if need be flesh out some ideas.
Write to some music you like. I've written lyrics to songs that I've loved from other artists and then waited for the write music to come along that I can tweak the lyrics to match.
Write down a list of concepts. My mate does this and I found it really useful. He'd come up with a concept. We're on PH so lets say his album will be about a car. The first song will be the engine, the second song the wheels the third the stereo etc etc. He'd then tell me to find some music for each song/part and we'll go from there.
And lastly. Jamming/Freestyling. Rap is pretty much built on this so it's a bit easier in theory if this is your choice of music but if not the principal is the same. We used to meet in my parents loft. I'd have a stack of instrumentals and a couple of mics. I'd be mixing the instrumentals and my mates would pass the mic back and forth and rap for 90 mins untill the tape was full. Knock out a few copies for everyone and then take notes of the parts you like.
What does the music say to you? I've always preferred music that has a "pull" to it. I like club bangers don't get me wrong but I'll always drop those for something that has a message/story before any words are spoken. Write down what that message/story is.
Speak with the artist once they've received the music and repeat above process with them as they might hear something different to you and if need be flesh out some ideas.
Write to some music you like. I've written lyrics to songs that I've loved from other artists and then waited for the write music to come along that I can tweak the lyrics to match.
Write down a list of concepts. My mate does this and I found it really useful. He'd come up with a concept. We're on PH so lets say his album will be about a car. The first song will be the engine, the second song the wheels the third the stereo etc etc. He'd then tell me to find some music for each song/part and we'll go from there.
And lastly. Jamming/Freestyling. Rap is pretty much built on this so it's a bit easier in theory if this is your choice of music but if not the principal is the same. We used to meet in my parents loft. I'd have a stack of instrumentals and a couple of mics. I'd be mixing the instrumentals and my mates would pass the mic back and forth and rap for 90 mins untill the tape was full. Knock out a few copies for everyone and then take notes of the parts you like.
Miguel Alvarez said:
Write to some music you like. I've written lyrics to songs that I've loved from other artists and then waited for the write music to come along that I can tweak the lyrics to match.
I think I might start doing this, or maybe write a new tune to some existing lyrics, then try for a new lyric. Pete Townshend has said he used to do this, sometimes.Trophybloo said:
Do you actually have something you want to say?
A couple of things, certainly, but I find as I get older I tend to see fewer absolutes, which doesn't help if one is trying to come up with something that has a bit of bite to it. Anger is something I do a lot less often too.Also, I've been happily married for 25 years now, and it's difficult to remember the details of unrequited love that might furnish some ideas. As the song says, the best love songs are written with a broken heart.
One thing that sort of surprises me is that I am a very optimistic kind of person, and happy in my personal life, and yet I find myself drawn towards music that is more usually associated with tragedy, sadness, that sort of thing.
Yes it's a problem when you are a bit older; Pete Townsend now struggles with words for the same reasons you gave. I have written all or the majority of the songs for all the bands I have ever played in and one of my songs had some airplay on Capital and Radio West a couple of decades ago. Before I got married I used to write most songs about girlfriends real or imaginary and they used roll out fairly well once you have the idea and a lyrical hook. Also I write the music first and then make the lyrics fit the tune. To me the words are just a sound and so it is more important that they scan and sound right than they have great meaning. No-one listens to the words anyway and I am not sure I can add too much originality to the song book. Themes are tough - my last one was about Afghanistan from the view of a private soldier! It was no more than adequate but it's difficult to write about big themes when you are bashing out the song on a Gibson Explorer or a Telecaster in your case SC. In my opinion few strong songs have been written from a lyrical point of view - Shipbuilding is the best I know of.
L.F.
L.F.
Another one here who prefers gritty music. I've not really had much inspiration for making music lately (past couple of years). It's hard to get into that NY/Bronx/Inner City vibe when you work in accounts, have a mortgage and have spent all morning watching Fireman Sam with the baby.
singlecoil said:
Miguel Alvarez said:
Write to some music you like. I've written lyrics to songs that I've loved from other artists and then waited for the write music to come along that I can tweak the lyrics to match.
I think I might start doing this, or maybe write a new tune to some existing lyrics, then try for a new lyric. Pete Townshend has said he used to do this, sometimes.Some good examples
One Drop Riddim (TOK, Jah Cure, Gentleman, Sizzla)
Seasons Riddim (Jah Cure, Wayne Marshall, Sean Paul, Fantah Mojah, Gyptian)
Joy Ride Riddim (Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Wayne Marshall, Frisco Kid)
Fiesta Riddim (Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Baby Cham, Akon)
I've written loads of songs. Hundreds, literally. A few good - most terrible.
The best suggestion I can give is to start with a phrase that you use a lot - that you really feel comfortable with - then find another phrase you use that can be adapted to make the second line. That's what I do when I get stuck.
Good luck with it.
The best suggestion I can give is to start with a phrase that you use a lot - that you really feel comfortable with - then find another phrase you use that can be adapted to make the second line. That's what I do when I get stuck.
Good luck with it.
I love writing lyrics, but to be honest, the sad fact is that some of the most popular songs have nanananana or stupid lyrics that don't mean anything.
That's not to say you SHOULDN'T care, but depending on what type of music you are writing lyrics for, should depend on how 'lyric' you want to get.
I tend to get ideas just walking down the street. They'll have a rough melody but it will be a phrase or a headline or a particular subject that will set me off. I am usually to be found with thousands of bits of paper with scribbles on. The more you doodle with words the better you'll get.
I also write poetry and then chop up bits to make them fit a song, which also seems to work.
It's only when you start dissecting songs you love that you realise that you sing along with stuff and don't always question what you hear!
So, unless it's very meaningful singer/songwriter type stuff, don't worry too much. it literally can be a bunch of words that sound good together, like: "Mississipi man too vain, make grade weight salami, a gobblegeek man insane, use the left side of your brain" (The Tuesday Club - New Glamour). See means nothing, but sounds great in the song itself!!
have fun!
That's not to say you SHOULDN'T care, but depending on what type of music you are writing lyrics for, should depend on how 'lyric' you want to get.
I tend to get ideas just walking down the street. They'll have a rough melody but it will be a phrase or a headline or a particular subject that will set me off. I am usually to be found with thousands of bits of paper with scribbles on. The more you doodle with words the better you'll get.
I also write poetry and then chop up bits to make them fit a song, which also seems to work.
It's only when you start dissecting songs you love that you realise that you sing along with stuff and don't always question what you hear!
So, unless it's very meaningful singer/songwriter type stuff, don't worry too much. it literally can be a bunch of words that sound good together, like: "Mississipi man too vain, make grade weight salami, a gobblegeek man insane, use the left side of your brain" (The Tuesday Club - New Glamour). See means nothing, but sounds great in the song itself!!
have fun!
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