I know there are a couple of professional musicians and a lot closet ones hanging out on here...anyone have advice or best practices on writing songs? I am sitting on a ton of songs I just can't seem to get started writing lyrics for. Its not even the melodies that are evading, its like when I get paper in front of me, I just have nothing to say. My life can't be that boring. Help!
Don't worry so much about rhyming and meaning. Stick to painting pictures with the words or conveying some type of feeling. And if that doesn't help, then just write about the tried and true themes of sex,frustration and loss. Don't worry about being original either,those days are long gone.
The only advice I can give you is, just start writing Anything that comes to mind, write it down. Always have a piece of paper and pen close by. There is no wrong way to write a song. Don't get caught up in trying to make every line rhyme. Just get your thoughts on paper and go from there. Sometimes words come to you when strumming the guitar. Other times you may be watcing tv or reading something and you get a phrase in your head. Don't worry about sitting down and trying to write an entire song. Somedays you will get several lines, and then a month later a few more. Then there are times when playing guitar you get an entire song in one sitting. Everyone has different methods, I find reading poetry or listening to songs to be very helpful. Be different, try things that have never been done. Keep an open mind, let inspiration flow through you.
Drink a few beers and just sing what comes to mind as you play, and record it. You will probably get a basic structure later to refine.
Keep your own style. I just wrote down everything i thought of. It looked like a mess but once you have instruments the words just kinda fit. There is no real good advice anyone can give you on this one because everyone has thier own way of writing songs. I for some reason seem to be able to write lyrics in class like it is nothing but at home I am useless. It is easy sometimes if you keep a basic setup of what you want in the song before you write the lyrics. I would plan ahead like this: 1st verse 2nd verse chorus 3rd 4th chorus 5th 6th chorus That is the one I used at first. I know it seems like common sense but it helps tons when you have a set up of what you want ahead of time so you can just fill in the blanks. For inspiration, just look at everything in your life and if that doesnt work you can always look at life from someone elses point of view. A BIG part is keeping with what you write. Some lyrics you write may sound corny but just stick with it and dont throw them out. Wait till the song is done to decide if you want to change words. It is a lot easier to go back and change things rather than get stuck on a verse and not be able to move on. Hope this helps!
Some good suggestions here. Like BobFinn said, write down everything. Better yet, keep a notebook of everything; especially bit's and pices of say napkins from the bar when something strikes you as good, and anything from where-ever you hear or think of something. Do not be worried about telling a great story (at least at first) or having the most unique idea. Afterall, there is little to nothing left that is truly original and some of the biggest hits were utter nonscence - like Louie Louie, et al. I would also suggest picking a few favorite songwriters and follow their structure. I used to write alot (still do sometimes) and liked Jagger for the way he strung the words together to form a rapid fire melody and Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs for the imagery of what was mostly just cool lines strung together with not much total meaning that I could discern - just sounded cool; and that's good enough for Rock n Roll. Lou Reed was also a goldmine - don't be afraid to write something (like whiteLight/White Heat, Heroin, Sweet Jane) that might be controversial. And then there is the Robert Polard (Guided by Voices) aproach.... Anything goes, bro... Once you get comfortable you can then start to develop your own voice and move onto writing in a more profound manner. What Meowgi said "Drink a few beers and just sing what comes to mind as you play, and record it. You will probably get a basic structure later to refine." is fine advice. Good luck
When I write a song, I have to do the chorus first. Honestly, the chorus' lick is the most important part to any song. After you've figured out your chorus, the rest comes easy. Just start finding **** that rhymes. I know it's a little pathetic, but when I'm trying to rhyme something, I'll literally go through the alphabet. ie: I'm trying to rhyme "elephant". I'll go: Ant Bant Cant Dant Eant Fant etc. Typically, I'll find something that fits.
The greatest indie lyricists of our days today is Death Cab for Cutie. Emulate them and it will lead you to greatness.
With a pen and a pad. Write down any phrase you get that seems catchy, or rhymes as you want it to. Keep it with you everywhere. Even keep a notepad in the restroom. Trust me. btw- I have been known to write lyrics for other people. If you have a topic I could help out with, lemme know.
