imported_Paul

...to write lyrics?

Do you read a book, relate to real life experiences which are in your mind, listen to music? Watch TV?

I've only really written 2 or 3 songs (which are terrible) when i was pissed off with people. They are nothing really that spectacular to be honest, but i vented a lot of anger out then.

Simon

Say what you see.

I try to not see things as straight as they really are and whatever you do don't try to stick to one genre, I find that if a song wants to be a rap it's best if you let it be a rap rather than try and make it into a folk song or whatever. Doesn't make much sense but never mind. Also I find a good thing to practice your song writing is to try and write a song about your best friend being gay.

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Simon!

Scott

*gulps*

imported_Paul

LMFAO.

Dear.

That was bad.

But yeah, useful advice there Simon.

"Scott, your pink tassles n bum waggles amuse boys" :P

TheKiwi

Dunno about songs, but i've had a go at a few poems.. and i recon as long as you write about something you have feelings about or can relate to then it turns out okay. If you try to write about something you don't have the foggiest idea about, or try to be something you're not.. that's when things go pear shaped i find.

Protege

Yeah, you're right.

tom

Was that meant to be a comment on the first song I wrote si?

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Kingmob

I write in different styles depending on the type of music its for.
I used to do fast, snappy pop/punk type bands. Most of them would be based on rhyming couplets, with a general flippant politicism.

Now when I write lyrics for the band I'm in, its a bit more serious, so the lyrics don't rhyme or flow, or even follow proper sentence structure. It doesn't worry me if it makes any sense, as I usually include a little blurb beneath lyrics to explain what the song is the hell about. Usually I write about things that make me angry.

littlemissattitude

I'm not a songwriter, but I do write poetry as well as prose and I think the answer is really the same for all writers...there's a huge universe out there. Keep your eyes open and your ears open; pay attention and you'll find more inspiration than you could ever possibly use.

Another good practice is to set time aside every day to just sit and think about stuff. You'll be surprised what your brain will present you with to write about. Just make sure that when you do this, you have a paper and pencil nearby. You'll need them.

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Knight_of_Nights

I write songs when the occassion suits me, but lately, I can't find anything to write about. I used to put my emotions in them, but either all my emotions are gone or I just don't care about stuff enough to write about it.

Bucklberry

I write poems, lyrics, free verse, whatever, and I often suffer writers block. During these times, if I get out and about a bit, grab a coffee and watch people going about their day, or maybe sit in a tranquil scenic spot, something usually comes to me, be it good or bad.

Love, anger, fear, all the base emotions are probably easiest to write about or around, as we all have these moments with which anyone can relate.

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Kingmob

ok then, lets see some examples of peoples work then.

Bucklberry

Most of my stuff I think sucks, so it doesn't see the light of day. I may post the odd little bit here and there though, we'll see if I can actually get something done for a little recording project I should be doing and post a bit more first.

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RefD

this whole topic also kind of begs the old question: "music or lyrics first?"

IOW, do you typically write your lyrics (and resulting vocal part(s)) to some music you've already written or do you write the lyrics first and then come up with music to suit?

i've done both alot and they each have their advantages, so...

Leonardo

I think music first is easier, and I tend to end up doing that. Even when I write lyrics first I tend to then write music and change the lyrics to fit, rather than writing music around the lyrics.

Also, an interesting related question is - which one do you focus more on, lyrics or music? Are lyrics really important at all?