So... when you're starting some words off.

[TeleTristan]

Do you try and write on a theme? My problem is the start, once it's started I have no problem letting the words flow.
I'm frustrated...:mad:

[Willie_G]

huh... I think I start on the "tone", try to find a rhythm and a flow to the sound of the words, find some alliterate rhymes, some unusal words that complement one another phonically, avoid cliches like the plague, and eventually a theme emerges.

Phonetics are EVERYTHING in song lyrics. Or, at least, if the phonetics don't work, the text won't work because you won't be able to sing it naturally and musically.

Or, if there's some theme that's been running through my head for a while, I'll try to come up with some imagery to represent it. And new ways to express it.

But then, I mostly write poetry and not songs, fwiw.

Check out online rhyming dictionaries and anagram websites for fresh ideas.

[genereaux]

No, I don't set out aiming at a 'theme'.

You say you have no trouble rolling along after you've started, the trick is to CATCH the 'butterflies' of inspiration.

THAT, I need to yhink about putting into words..........

sean

[RockBender]

I can think of only one song I wrote in it's entirety on paper (still have that piece of paper, circa 1987) and the only change I ever made was to get back to my guitar and realize I wanted Am instead of Bm as the key.

We always (on originals) just established a groove and I would mutter something....... it could be some inner freak that I have no idea why I would say it but the instinct sets the melody line and arrangement of the groove established and you growl something like:


just yesterday I saw you, you were walkin away

or

we stand alone, when there's no way home

or

everybodies talkin bout me, if they only knew

or.....


....well, you get the idea. Fleshing out that "mood" you set is more of a construction process of me where I'm more ceribral about the song and it's depth but getting that groove and feel and emotion sets the tracks to rail on.

Keep rockin :thumbs:

[Lazy Bee]

A great hall of fame writer (whose name escapes me now) once said ....

"Open a song telling people where you're going...and then take them their" That struck me as a pretty good idea. That seems like a theme approach doesn't it? Not like high school colors mind you but a theme none the less. I like to know what's going on in a song and be able to follow a story.

Although a few great writers, like Dylan, smash that notion. Well so it seems for a while. He'll set you up for a conversation and throw a line in about tomatoes on the vine rotten with bugs. He does that stuff all the time here lately. And for the life of me I dont find meaningful connections sometimes.

The songs thread completely breaks for a moment abandoning the "theme".

Eventually, sometimes, when I'm lucky or the drugs are kicking in, I'll find his story or message. When I do, it's so complete in so few lines that he's able, even required to fill a lot of other space. Maybe the 1st and 4th line of the first verse has message and the other lines are like "what heck was that?" The story telling seems disjointed at a glance. But then you realize he's crafted the message so well he's now just blowing your mind with wild and off the wall imagery. Imagery is a pinnacle in song writing imo. Especially when great nouns are involved. Dylan uses them brilliantly. He'll paint an en-related image and stir the opposite emotion of the one he's really talking about. ie Humor in a serious moment. Sorrow, when he's displaying enlightenment. Mind boggeling. A tomato seems off point... but what an image. Now a rotten one with bugs....OK back to the song. Clever little fellow that Dylan guy.

I've decide listening to his stuff is like riding down a country road with an old friend discussing life. He's laying his soul on the line when suddenly he spots some rotten tomatoes and he says....."whoa, look over there!"

So...short answer....Yes I use a theme and think it's good idea. Long answer... I'd like to be able to put the theme in a kalideoscope but I'm not that good yet. For now I stick to it. Get back to me in 50 songs, I'll let you know what I think then. :) my 2 cents anyway.

[TbabyTheWizard]

You should find the book called 'Tunesmith' by Jimmy Webb. It's the single greatest book on songwriting I have ever read, and it's less than twenty bucks too. It covers everything from imagery, to rhyming structure, to melody and back again. It's helped me to bring my songwriting to whole new levels. Hope it helps!

-Taylor-

[mishmannah]

You should find the book called 'Tunesmith' by Jimmy Webb. It's the single greatest book on songwriting I have ever read, and it's less than twenty bucks too. It covers everything from imagery, to rhyming structure, to melody and back again. It's helped me to bring my songwriting to whole new levels. Hope it helps!

-Taylor-

Definitely agree on this one. It's also a great book to keep referring too.

[BASSMAN]

This is going to sound weird, but the words are the last thing I do. Or at least, this is the only way I have tried to write songs. I have written THREE in my life. One ended up in the garbage can.

I have a theme, make a beat with Beatcraft, add a bass line, add rhythm guitar, listen to the music and write the lyrics. I purposely stay away heavy structure like verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, guitar solo, verse, chorus, solo out.

I will have a verse and a chorus, maybe a bridge, but I mix them at odd times in the song. Sometimes a piece of a verse or a piece of chorus here or there, not too hap-hazard but mix it around little.

The music helps lyrical ideas flow to my brain. I have no idea how to put music to lyrics. I know the question is about writing lyrics, but this is my process for writing lyrics, I have to hear the music before I can really get an idea for lyrics moving.

[Sonofarich]

For me, the overall feeling of the song via chords/melody/rhythm, dictate the direction I take with the lyrics.

If it SOUNDS sad, I write introspective lyrics. If it SOUNDS angry, I write forceful/demonstrative lyrics. If it SOUNDS happy, I usually trash it...;)