Fuckholes Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Well, like I said in a previous post, I finally finsihed writing my first song in about two years a few months ago. It didnt take that long to write the song, just that long to come up with something I could actually here more then 1 time aday parcticing without getting sick of... Anyway, I have quite a few new tunes and even a wack load of old ones I wanna start working on and instead of taking the same old approach at the lyrics, I thought maybe I could ask here for some creative advice on writting lyrics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcO Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I'd love to help you but that's always been what held me back from writing originals. I've tried again and again but I can't seem to write lyrics that I don't find pretentious or self-absorbed. Melodies and chords, no problem. Lyrics = problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kung Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 If you're trying to say 'it's a beautiful day and it's great to be alive' don't say 'it's a beautiful day and it's great to be alive'. How about 'it's a beautiful day don't let it slip away' see there you've got some assonance on the 'ay' sound and you know it rhymes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.Huxtable Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I have to smoke up if I'm writing lyrics. That's a given.I also tried another technique for the last song that we wrote. I started writing down quotes in a journal. Things I saw on TV, things my friends said that made me laugh, things that just popped up in my head...Anyway, I brought the book of quotes to band practice one night, the guys started playing something cool and I picked one line out of the book to work from, smoked a fatty and the song wrote itself!I think it's different for everyone though. It helps to have a creative bunch of musicians as well, imagination is contagious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Along with what kung said, you might want to have a rhyming dictionary, and use it when you're stuck on a word, or want to get out of a "rut of thinking": the dictionary will give you a whole bunch of words that rhyme, some of which you probably wouldn't have thought of. Choose one that sounds neat, and write a line to get to it. You might also try setting up "exercises" to perform: set up various structures of songs (in terms of # of lines, syllables per line, rhyming structure, chorus/verse/bridge arrangement, etc.), and write lyrics to them (even use the same subject against more than one structure); you could also choose structures based on songs you like/know (e.g., Bob Dylan, or The Band). You may not end up with real/usable songs, but you'll develop discipline and expand the forms of song you're able to write with. Aloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guigsy Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 dont be afraid, man. i mean, dont be afraid of what it is you want to say, and how you want to say it. if it's not "normal" or "technically right" as far as song writing goes, who gives a fuck? it's your song, dammit! you do what you like! let loose, have fun, get weird, and don't care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Here's a cool trick I've tried a few times: Write alternate lyrics to a song, a la Weird Al, and then throw away everything about the song (the music, the rhythm, the vocal approach) and just use your new lyrics with different music/melody. I defy anybody to figure out when I've done this and what songs they started out as. I find sometimes it helps to have a vocal rhythm to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.Huxtable Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Very interesting. I think I may try this one myself Velvet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuckholes Posted May 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 WOW , killer ideas everyone... Thx for the advice and words of encourgement. You guys totally kick ass... :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 i have no idea...just don't ask Tom Marshall... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boogieknight Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Learning to write lyrics is like learning to play an instrament, you need to practise. Try to write as much as possible. Write about anything. Sometimes I'll try to challenge myself and write a song about a coffee cup or some hobo I saw begging for change. Just write about anything. This will get your brian used to the idea of thinking up clever ways to express a feeling or insight. If you have a specific idea or feeling you wish to express, try to really focus in on what you are trying to say. I find really getting at the root of what you're trying to express will help to bring the words into focus. Also, you have to realize that 80% of what you write will not really be useable, but it's that other 20% that is gold. So, keep writing, try to do it as much as possible and eventually you will start to discover a writing style/method that works for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishyK Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 It's simple, listen to the master. www.avril-lavigne.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kung Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 I just thought of another good idea. Beauty often is best described with an undercurrent of the grotesque. So you should try something like, and this is just off the top of my head, 'every rose.... has it's thorn'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 It's simple, listen to the master. www.avril-lavigne.com Actually, I agree with this. Seriously. There are two kinds of influences in the world: positive influences ("Hey, I like that, and really want to be like that."), and negative influences ("Man, I really hate that, and never want to be like that."). Examining art you hate can help you figure out what not to do, and eliminate the stuff you hate from the stuff you produce. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Aloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kung Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hold on I think I'm having an epiphany: 'Every rose has its thorn just like every NIGHT has its DAWN just like every COWBOY sings a sad sad SONG' Then maybe repeat 'every rose has its thorn'. Now that would be a sweet ass tune! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Zimmy Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Examining art you hate can help you figure out what not to do, and eliminate the stuff you hate from the stuff you produce. Which means that I should listen to "I am the only one I am the only one left Who ever gave a damn about you I am sorry I am sorry I was wrong I was wrong I've been wrong for way too long I am sorry that you're gone" Nickelback OUCH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishyK Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 "It's not the kind of gold that you wear, but the kind that can feel my care." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Try not to use words like Honkin and Bobo in the same sentence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Try not to use words like Honkin and Bobo in the same sentence. How about "Bonkin" and "Hoho"? Aloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Only acceptible when refering to video games and snack treats. I'd say christmas, but songs about santa clause are stupid. I never did get that puppy you son of a bitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 That reminds me, I saw the greatest band name I've seen in a while. The puppy kickers. awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcane Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 How about "Bonkin" and "Hoho"? Start without me; I'll catch up later. Maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcane Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Examining art you hate can help you figure out what not to do, and eliminate the stuff you hate from the stuff you produce. I think you've single-handedly destroyed REM, dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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