Any advice on 'how to write lyrics.."

rosemalin

Hi there,
Just wondering - I've come up with some lyrics/poems (but I'm not a musician). I submitted one into a songwriting competition (for the craic) and was a runner-up (now there were lots of runner-ups) but it made me wonder - how do I learn to write lyrics, are there rules, do I need to have music to go with it or can I just continue to write sentences that are pleasing to me and let someone else come up with the music? If the last bit is true, who can I send my lyrics to.
Cheers and thanks - complete novice here!

Arpa

rosemalin wrote: »

Hi there,
Just wondering - I've come up with some lyrics/poems (but I'm not a musician). I submitted one into a songwriting competition (for the craic) and was a runner-up (now there were lots of runner-ups) but it made me wonder - how do I learn to write lyrics, are there rules, do I need to have music to go with it or can I just continue to write sentences that are pleasing to me and let someone else come up with the music? If the last bit is true, who can I send my lyrics to.
Cheers and thanks - complete novice here!

It's always strange ground when writing lyrics. I think you have to decide if you're a songwriter or a poet. In theory most would say a song is just a poem with music, but it is a different ball game. David Bowie famously said that he tried to write poems sometimes, but they invariably ended up turning into songs. From listening to musicians when asked the million dollar question "how do you write a song?" it seems they always have roughly the same answer. They usually just groove on a feeling, the song writes itself. They start out with some ideas, a melody, a nice phrase perhaps and the rest falls slowly into place. So I guess what I'm saying is, as a musician, I wouldn't like to receive a bunch of lyrics from someone and have to set them to music because I feel the two should be inextricably linked. I've often come up with a melody, recorded it and left it to lie for years. Then one day I'll come across it again and be like "Okay this makes me feel like this phrase should go here". It's so random, its hard to pin point exactly what it is, but I think if you want to be a lyricist you should have some idea of music. I saw an interview with Bowie about Lou Reed. He said Lou came in to the studio and sat down with an out of tune guitar and just started playing a new soong. In his own head it sounded perfect but to the others in the studio it was crap. When he left the room for a while, Bowie secretly tuned his guitar and when Lou played it again it was perfect. So a musician who is really strong with lyrics will always have the tune in his head, that's why I think it's dangerous to limit yourself to writing lyrics if you can't write music.
Poetry on the other hand is just as craftful in its own right. I think you have to figure out what you want to achieve. Then again, great lyrics lend themselves to music and vice versa, but I think the two should come from a similar place to achieve the magic.
However, there is no rule book, write what pleases you, competitions won't tell you anything. Just have passion and with a drop of talent you'll create something beautiful.

foals

dont learn how to write lyrics just keep it original but you definately should pick up guitar and learn a few cords dont forget some of the best songs ever writen were writen on very few basic cords

a face in the crowd

rosemalin wrote: »

Hi there,
Just wondering - I've come up with some lyrics/poems (but I'm not a musician). I submitted one into a songwriting competition (for the craic) and was a runner-up (now there were lots of runner-ups) but it made me wonder - how do I learn to write lyrics, are there rules, do I need to have music to go with it or can I just continue to write sentences that are pleasing to me and let someone else come up with the music? If the last bit is true, who can I send my lyrics to.
Cheers and thanks - complete novice here!

one of the guys posted not to write lyrics. hes right. if you think that way you'll end up loosing your focus. write what comes naturally to you. your best work happens this way.i'm a singer/songwriter myself. my songs sometimes appear as poem and sound well when i put music to them. i recommend you try play an instrument also. guitar for example learn the basic chords and you'll be flying.

Fair dues for being a runner up in a songwriting comp, and all the best with your writing in the future.

Caggles

I think songwriting is a very personal experience, I write the whole song lyrics sometimes before the melody other times I will have the chords. I do not concentrate on rhyming as I find you will change it as you go along fitting the words to the rhythm. I like my song words to come from something that I feel strongly about or how I have been moved to write a song. I have been to workshops on songwriting and I didnt much like it. Okay if you want to write a one hit wonder pop tune that has a hook like all those other annoying songs you hear on the radio and end up singing the whole day, driving yourself insane cause you cant get it out of your head....
Try to relate your lyrics to what you know or feel!

PoppyRowe

Writing lyrics is difficult for some, natural to others. The great thing about music is that some of the best lyrics are completely non-sensical. Don't attempt to make your lyrics deeper or more difficult sounding than they should be, just write what you feel. If you think it needs extra work then spend alot of time on it if needs be, even one good line with a good melody will carry the song through. Think of something big or small which has had a major effect on you and draw your perspective on it or even look at other people's experiences and think about them.

jackthelad456

Go with your own style. Say what you feel. Express yourself and don't be afraid to expose your emotions.

MilanPan!c

rosemalin wrote: »

Hi there,
Just wondering - I've come up with some lyrics/poems (but I'm not a musician). I submitted one into a songwriting competition (for the craic) and was a runner-up (now there were lots of runner-ups) but it made me wonder - how do I learn to write lyrics, are there rules, do I need to have music to go with it or can I just continue to write sentences that are pleasing to me and let someone else come up with the music? If the last bit is true, who can I send my lyrics to.
Cheers and thanks - complete novice here!

The trick to good lyrics, classic lyrics, is the melody that underpins them... if you can't write that then the hardest challenge is pretty much irrelevant in your case...

So, instead of worrying about music, try to find things that:

are rhythmically interesting
touch on universal themes
are personal and honest, without being trite or cloying

Get two out of three and you're doing well.. hit the trifecta and they'll be keepers...

The best advice about the actual practice is do it as often as possible... and don't throw anything away (unless you have a great memory...)


One final thing:

If you wanna write something deep, you'll need to do it with purpose... no one ever accidentally wrote deeply personal lyrics... at least, that's not that common...

Above all else, be brave!