How do you start your lyrics?

~~Harry~~ · 12-21-2009, 12:09 AM

Just wondering how others go about this. Usually for me, it either starts with a random line that forms in my mind that I revolve the song around because I like it so much, or I have some sort of strong feeling that I write down an enourmous stream of consciousness on, and chop it up into prose and lyrics.

What of you? How exactly do you start?

OceanAndSilence · 12-21-2009, 05:16 AM

that's pretty much what i do. i'll find words or phrases that are a conduit to my state of mind, decide that those are necessary in the song, and then get to work on the rest of the lyrics and musical structure. i usually start with a hook or fill in my head then work it out. i always try something new in each song; for example i know with my next song i will stop playing and just shout/sing/chant two lines for a while at the end of the song... i get little ideas like that all the time. good to challenge yourself, i take baby steps though.

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 12-21-2009, 12:48 PM

they come out like a hot beer****.

Stone Birds · 12-21-2009, 03:35 PM

usually for me it's

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

Arya Stark · 12-21-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stone Birds

usually for me it's

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

That's so interesting. I usually don't have titles because I can't think of any.
But you start with them! How does that work? I mean, how do you pick a title?

zeppy111 · 12-21-2009, 11:28 PM

I usually come up with a center phrase or line and work around that with the body, then usually adding the title is the last thing. I find writing from a title restricts me a bit fbranching out.

~~Harry~~ · 12-21-2009, 05:30 PM

That's a good strategy, to start with title and work around that.

Mick · 12-21-2009, 07:06 PM

I actually find it easier to write all my lyrics before I come up with a title.

If you go in to writing lyrics and have a subject, like death, love etc, you're free to write whatever you want, instead of trying to pick lyrics that will go with the title. If you have any good lines you come up with it easier to incorporate it into the song.

Only after I've finished the song and analysed its main points, do I give the song a title.

~~Harry~~ · 12-22-2009, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

I actually find it easier to write all my lyrics before I come up with a title.

If you go in to writing lyrics and have a subject, like death, love etc, you're free to write whatever you want, instead of trying to pick lyrics that will go with the title. If you have any good lines you come up with it easier to incorporate it into the song.

Only after I've finished the song and analysed its main points, do I give the song a title.

That's how I do it, usually, too. Most of the time my titles are completely unrelated, anyways... or hint towards some hidden meaning.

Jimi Xenon · 01-03-2010, 08:52 AM

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.

12-21-2009, 12:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
~~Harry~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Leith Posts: 72	How do you start your lyrics? Just wondering how others go about this. Usually for me, it either starts with a random line that forms in my mind that I revolve the song around because I like it so much, or I have some sort of strong feeling that I write down an enourmous stream of consciousness on, and chop it up into prose and lyrics. What of you? How exactly do you start?

12-21-2009, 05:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
OceanAndSilence i write and play stuff Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 239	that's pretty much what i do. i'll find words or phrases that are a conduit to my state of mind, decide that those are necessary in the song, and then get to work on the rest of the lyrics and musical structure. i usually start with a hook or fill in my head then work it out. i always try something new in each song; for example i know with my next song i will stop playing and just shout/sing/chant two lines for a while at the end of the song... i get little ideas like that all the time. good to challenge yourself, i take baby steps though. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/chrisneto - tune in to chill out

12-21-2009, 03:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Stone Birds myspace.com/stonebirdies Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conor Oberst Was/is Here Posts: 1,401	usually for me it's 1. title 2. added lyrics 3. flow 4. realization of meaning 5. edit __________________ Silk & Tree Records //\\//\\/\\/\/\/\\\\\\\\///\/\/\/\/\\////\/\\\\\///\V //\\//\\/\\/\/\/\\\\\\\\///\/\/\/\/\\////\/\\\\\///\V soundcloud.com/stonebirds [Link removed by mod, no advertising] ... Damn those mods are always gettin ya :)

12-21-2009, 11:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
zeppy111 16, so? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 630	I usually come up with a center phrase or line and work around that with the body, then usually adding the title is the last thing. I find writing from a title restricts me a bit fbranching out. __________________ My Blog (album of the day): http://musicfromthesouth.blogspot.com

12-21-2009, 12:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	they come out like a hot beer****.

12-21-2009, 05:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
~~Harry~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Leith Posts: 72	That's a good strategy, to start with title and work around that.

12-21-2009, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mick Antidisestablishmentarian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 86	I actually find it easier to write all my lyrics before I come up with a title. If you go in to writing lyrics and have a subject, like death, love etc, you're free to write whatever you want, instead of trying to pick lyrics that will go with the title. If you have any good lines you come up with it easier to incorporate it into the song. Only after I've finished the song and analysed its main points, do I give the song a title.

01-03-2010, 08:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jimi Xenon Groupie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: England Posts: 4	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.