How do you write songs?

Bungalow Bill

I've been having a bit of a block these past few months and was just wondering how anyone else writes songs.

Do you just start playing and see what comes out?
Do you have lyrics first?
Do you add riffs later and begin on a chord progression?

Karl Hungus

Well, first you must assume the possition.
Then you must turn counter-clockwise three times.
Then turn clockwise twice.
Take 14 paces east.
2 paces north-northwest.
9 paces south.
Then jump up and down on the spot 17 and 1/2 times.
Finally, sit down with your legs facing farward, and using your arms, drag your bum along the ground like a dog wiping his ass.

If you don't have a song by the end of that, then you're truly lost.

KlodaX

ha ha ... previous post excellent

WetDaddy

I particularly like the part about jumping on the spot 17 + 1/2 times. Not quite sure how that'd work...

To be the first with a serious reply, I will have to say that as of about 2 or 3 years ago, I always write the music first. It's not a matter of pride or personal routine, but rather that I find it easier.

I have written lyrics before music, they have to change in that case, sometimes quite drastically. Although this happens the opposite way around too (sort of "let's hold that for 2 bars so I can say this cos I think'd it'd suit the tune"). The MOST important thing if you write separately is to ENSURE that there's some coherent flow and fluidity to the lyrics with regard to the song.

I know a singer/songwriter who writes their lyrics / music separately and there's times where it's physically painful to listen to; some words only have 2 syllables, not 8, if you catch what I'm saying.

Don't get me wrong, lyrics are important too (well, to me at least), but by and large no-one in Dublin's gonna listen to the lyrics of a band they're seeing for the first time. It sounds harsh, but by and large it's true. Personally, I don't stress myself over lyrics, but when it comes to writing them, I do it carefully and take pride in them. With regards to WHAT I write about, it frequently depends on the tune. One tune we have, for example, sounded a bit like a car chase across the Golden Gate bridge (not as cheesy as you may imagine though! ) and so I wrote lyrics about an ex-mafia stooge fresh out of prison tracking down an ex-partner who ratted him out.

By the way, sometimes I just sing gibberish along to the music to get a melody. I sing what comes into my head, and on occasion a sentence may set the tone / topic for the entire lyrical content of the song!

But enough about me...

Now then, does ANYONE play trumpet and is interested in joining a band?!?

ferdi

music then lyrics.

just write stupid corny songs, loads of them and then eventually they will come together and improve.

WetDaddy

Ok, well maybe that's a little bit more concise and to the point then my post.

Still though, 100 posts for me!

The jock

As a accomplished song writer i would have to say that the lyrics first and then the music.
The lyrics are the heart and soul of the song.
The lyrics make the song.

Usally its my life experences that make me write songs.
the songs just usally come out without thinking ,the more you think the more you **** up the song!

ShriekingSheet

Originally posted by The jock
As a accomplished song writer

poetic licence?
sorry - I'm totally joking!

Damien rice said something interesting on this point in a hotpress interview ages ago.

Something to the effect of; "I could sit down and write a song for you now- put some words together and a melody etc and it would be just ok... but the best songs are ones that just come out without warning, in a matter of minutes..."

My advice- anytime you have a free gaf or are somewhere you are comfortable and preferably alone- just get your guitar out/ sit down at your piano/ tune up your harp or whatever the hell - and play - just jam away to yourself - shout along - brainstorm - scribble down any old crap that comes out - have the 4 track recording the noise, more as a memory aid than a musical format! and what comes out - comes out