(dumb question) (lyrics, song)

bigtim · 02-11-2006, 12:29 PM

i want to start songwriting, but i find myself in a bit of a hole, if you will.

which should i write first?

lyrics music or melody?

PerFeCTioNThrUSileNCe · 02-11-2006, 01:04 PM

well...i suggest writing the lyrics before you write the music.

to write lyrics, just sit down with a pen and paper and write whatever comes to mind.

bigtim · 02-11-2006, 01:16 PM

thanks!

haha, now i can finally start (that was bogging me down for a while)

Mama Booze · 02-11-2006, 09:22 PM

but make sure you edit and stuff...:]
good luck.

Lisnaholic · 05-20-2018, 07:56 AM

( https://www.musicbanter.com/games-li...litz-game.html )

Lots of famous song writers get asked this question, though I don't usually remember their answers. My instinct is that it's easier to fit words to a tune than it is to fit a tune to words, so I'd say start with the music.
Two pertinent comments supporting this approach that I more-or-less recall:-
Brian Eno: The problem with putting words to a piece of music is that people imagine that's what the song is about.
Jon Anderson: I chose words according to their sound as much as their meaning.

Lucem Ferre · 05-20-2018, 09:26 PM

I used to do lyrics first but now I typically do the music first. But it's what ever feels best.

**Frownland** · 05-20-2018, 09:43 PM

It is a dumb question. Both work. If you're stuck there then I think you might have bigger problems. It took 12 years to break the truth to you, OP.

Lucem Ferre · 05-21-2018, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

It is a dumb question. Both work. If you're stuck there then I think you might have bigger problems. It took 12 years to break the truth to you, OP.

Didn't even realize, lol.

Lisnaholic · 05-21-2018, 08:04 AM

^ Well this old thread prompted me to click on your "Art Is Dead" link Lucem, so I've just heard your music for the first time. I was pretty surprised by the graphics of your webpage, and even more by your songs. I liked your insistence on aggressively offensive lyrics; it's quite unusual I think. Unfortunately I don't like the structure or rhyme pattern of rap, so I enjoyed more all the musical bits around your singing I'm afraid. But as rap goes, your lyrics are interesting; I liked the couplet ending in "scum town", and I really liked the line, "Don't drink the taaap water" and what you did with it !

OccultHawk · 05-21-2018, 08:14 AM

Unless it’s hip hop make the lyrics fit the song not vice versa.

02-11-2006, 12:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigtim Groupie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 23	(dumb question) i want to start songwriting, but i find myself in a bit of a hole, if you will. which should i write first? lyrics music or melody?

05-20-2018, 07:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	( https://www.musicbanter.com/games-li...litz-game.html ) Lots of famous song writers get asked this question, though I don't usually remember their answers. My instinct is that it's easier to fit words to a tune than it is to fit a tune to words, so I'd say start with the music. Two pertinent comments supporting this approach that I more-or-less recall:- Brian Eno: The problem with putting words to a piece of music is that people imagine that's what the song is about. Jon Anderson: I chose words according to their sound as much as their meaning. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

05-20-2018, 09:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	It is a dumb question. Both work. If you're stuck there then I think you might have bigger problems. It took 12 years to break the truth to you, OP. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

05-21-2018, 08:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ Well this old thread prompted me to click on your "Art Is Dead" link Lucem, so I've just heard your music for the first time. I was pretty surprised by the graphics of your webpage, and even more by your songs. I liked your insistence on aggressively offensive lyrics; it's quite unusual I think. Unfortunately I don't like the structure or rhyme pattern of rap, so I enjoyed more all the musical bits around your singing I'm afraid. But as rap goes, your lyrics are interesting; I liked the couplet ending in "scum town", and I really liked the line, "Don't drink the taaap water" and what you did with it ! __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

05-21-2018, 08:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	Unless it’s hip hop make the lyrics fit the song not vice versa. __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

02-11-2006, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigtim Groupie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 23	thanks! haha, now i can finally start (that was bogging me down for a while)

02-11-2006, 09:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mama Booze Here's lookin at you, kid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The White Hotel Posts: 366	but make sure you edit and stuff...:] good luck.