Tips on how to write a song- music and lyrics

jamesron41

You guys got any? Should I write the music, then add lyrics, or vice versa? I have a lot of this musical energy and ideas in me and I need to let it out!
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1nflux · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject:

I've taken to just putting my musical ideas into garageband. Nothing extravagant but I have my ideas and themes easily accessible. Once I started recording on the computer like that the music flowed a lot more easily.

I have problems with the lyrics side of things.
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Matney X · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

Write your music with whatever comes first. If you have some sweet lyrics with a good melody, sit down with your guitars and figure out what chords go under it. If you have a sweet chord progression, add lyrics to it.

I agree with the garage band idea, or even just a 4-track. Something you can layer over, or you can go back and scrap one idea, is helpful.

Lyrics will probably come harder than music, so excersise by writing; poetry, stories, comedy... anything.

And, once you get some tracks online, let us hear what you've got!
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Fndrman · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

I have never yet written a song, but what I have done is I have written down a list of brief stories, expressions or cliches in case I can work a song out of them

Midiman57 · Toad Level Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 2243

I'm still of the opinion that real music should not have lyrics.
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Matney X · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject:

I'm starting to agree with you there, Midiman. I don't know how many songs start out strong, only to be weakened by a second rate singer crooning cliche lyrics. This is especially true in the new breed of roots country/rock/blues bands out there.

Singers with as much soul and tone as their guitar are a dime a dozen, these days.

(Money can buy expensive gear and pricey lessons, but it can't put your heart into anything, or give you REAL experiance.)
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"Have we grown so hard we can't feel right or wrong, or have we grown so cold we just don't care?" - Nave King.

Fndrman · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject:

What annoys me is the re-occuring theme of some cowboy driving down the dirt road in his pickup truck over to Billy Bob's to get drunk and drool over them thar purdy gurls in thar tight fittin' jeans. Thats Nashville for you. Do it to death may as well be their motto.

Midiman57 · Toad Level Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 2243

You mean like all those Van Halen country songs? Can't drive 55 while I'm hot for teacher in the backseat finishing what we started??

Yes... I know one wasn't technically a VH tune... just an example of how amalgamous (look it up) everything has become.
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teleman77 · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:03 am Post subject:

True, true.

80% of the stuff coming out of Trashville is CRAP!
And it's not just the CONSTANT reoccuring themes either.....................
If you don't have GQ or supermodel looks and are over the age of 25..........don't even try.
Also, you had better know how to put that good ole' fake nasely twang in your voice too.

I can beat this subject to death......................rant over for now. #Mad

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MrSpyderman · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:28 am Post subject:

Here's Van Halen's country song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMvjEyzZGz8

I think for every songwriter you have to figure out what works for you, basically like everything else in life.

Seems to me the songwriters that say they knew they had something good, both music and lyrics came at the same time and just flowed out.

Matney X · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:14 am Post subject:

Yeah... that's a bunch of horse crap. :p
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"Have we grown so hard we can't feel right or wrong, or have we grown so cold we just don't care?" - Nave King.

Teleblooz · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

Fndrman · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:17 pm Post subject:

I think Hank Williams was one of the best sonwriters in Nashville, if not the best. Cool

teleman77 · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

Herb · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

Ditto on Willie - and Kris Kristofferson.
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