OceanAndSilence

people's mind's work in different ways. some people are abstract and can take any topic and make it relevant whilst some can't. the people who come up with titles first can use the title like the start of an unplanned story. i already have the story before the title, so i'm also a person who makes up the title last.

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NumberNineDream

I write, then put some random title to it if ever put a title... But I start writing at first, not the title, cause you're just blocking your flow of thinking right from the beginning.

When you start to write you can't know what you're going to end up to, or what meanings and evolutions have added themselves up just by pure luck. I'd say:

1. added lyrics
2. flow
3. realization of meaning
4. edit
5. title

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Corwin

Well when I'm writing my lyrics, normally I'll imagine a situation or think of something in my life. Then i think of a chorus that can reflect the story of song. I'll then add more and more lyrics until i feel that the song is done and i can get a message out. Think of a title (Normally a word or phrase in a verse)that suits the song and then edit.

VeggieLover

Well, what I've found to work best for me is a kind of "brain-whirlwind" where I start with a general feeling (usually pretty powerful in order for me to actually sit down and write it), and just let a bunch of images flow, i right down the general images first so i don't forget them, then try to think of the words that capture the essence of those images best (usually in the smallest space of lines) Sometimes a line will just come to me, but I find those are really hard to work into the poem/song. Then It's kinda like a jig-saw puzzle, trying to find where the concepts flow the best together, how they simulate a stream of consciousness etc.
But im **** at writing choruses, really and truely, the whole "hook" concept doesn't go well with my brain, idk. I'm trying to write my very first love song right now and it is not going well for me. ah well.

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Jimi Xenon

I generally come up with songs in different ways. Sometimes the title forms with the lyrics. Other times I can't think of a title. The title really doesn't matter though. A lot of Led Zeppelin songs have totally unrelated titles such as Black Dog.

I find having a shower really helps me come up with lyrics and ideas. After, I'll write the lyrics I have down in my songwriting book and then just work around them. I often change them and don't decide on the singing way until I put them to music with the band.

finalconflict

I generally start mine while just fooling around on the guitar and they pop into my head. Most aren't very good though

Arya Stark

^ That's how mine go, too, haha.
They come out better when I write first.

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SATCHMO

"Wrote a song about it. Wanna' hear it? Here it go..."

Like that.

VEGANGELICA

I also come up with songs in different ways. Sometimes I start with the concept for the song first, usually inspired by something I have observed that day. Other times a few words pop into my mind along with a tune. Occasionally I just think of a tune by itself. I record fragments of tunes on an old casette player right when they occur to me so I won't forget them.

Usually, though, I start with a concept for a song and give the song a tentative title. I write down all my titles on fresh pieces of paper that I can fill in later with ideas for lyrics, one title per page. When I'm organized, I put these in a folder filled with snatches of ideas. Often, though, the pieces of paper sit in a basket on the toilet bowl tank. Right now, for example, I have a piece of paper that has been sitting in there for months with these four potential titles for four songs: "cord," "common ground" (finished), "truce," and "extreme." I also have a lot of songs that are partially finished and just sit around for months until I feel emotionally drawn to work on them.

My songwriting flowchart that I usually follow:

(1) I have a concept and think of a potential title that summarizes it.
(2) Write down a few lines of the lyrics.
(3) Record a possible tune to match this shred of the lyrics. I usually then feel what I'd like the whole sound of the tune to be and so record more of it so I won't forget.
(4) Flesh out the lyrics. Takes several days up to a year.
(5) Play around with the guitar while singing the lyrics to make changes to the lyrics and tune so they fit each other better.
(6) Revaluate the title to see if it still matches what the lyrics evolved into, since sometimes the concept changes during the writing.

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Neapolitan

"thoughts idly drift into my head"
that reminds me of John Lennon lyrics :p

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