Lyric Writing

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:44 pm

Well, I'm a musician. (I like to think of myself as a pretty decent one) One thing I seem to have a problem with, is the writing of lyrics. I really want to get better at it, but I really can't figure it out. I remember reading something Tom Delonge said more or less something like "you write how you see the world, and how it is to you". (something like that) I have some ideas and stuff, but I have no idea how to get them out onto the paper without literally saying the one idea. Any tips?

Tibia · Post by **Tibia** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:48 pm

Are you any good at writing poetry? It's essentially the same thing. As for avoiding saying things straight out, there's all kinds of symbolism you can use. If you don't find symbolism you like, just make up your own. Instead of being lost, not knowing where you're going, write about a plastic bag blowing in the wind. Bad example, but it's not that hard.

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:05 pm

Tibia wrote:Are you any good at writing poetry? It's essentially the same thing. As for avoiding saying things straight out, there's all kinds of symbolism you can use. If you don't find symbolism you like, just make up your own. Instead of being lost, not knowing where you're going, write about a plastic bag blowing in the wind. Bad example, but it's not that hard.

ya.. if it wasn't so hard, it wouldn't be needing help.

Tibia · Post by **Tibia** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:09 pm

Did you read the whole thing, or just the last sentence? Start with bad metaphors. They are easy to come up with. When you hear/read better ones, borrow them.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:02 pm

Sometimes its just fun to write a totally jokes song.

I have randomly 'written' a few hilarious (according to friends) parodies and stuff in like 20 minutes.

Of course if your music already sounds dark and mysterious it probably wont fit...

Its easy to write if you have something to say...

Certain genres of music like to say certain things... punk music always complains about politics and stuff and talks about fighting back against the man and standing up for whats right... there are many songs about failed relationships, romance, heatbreak... Rap can be about acting tough and getting with women and wearing lots of bling.

Im generalizing here

You can rock on about partying hard and having a good time, or the atrocity of war, or how working kind of sucks.

Just start writing down ideas when you feel strongly about something and want to rant to someone about it.

wallydawg · Post by **wallydawg** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:43 am

write everything in metaphors, those are always cool

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:02 am

David Bowie used to cut up phrases from newspaper and put them into a bag, then bring them out. Explains why some of his songs are strange, but doing this gave him inspiration for lyrics, and he just filled in the gaps.

Extreme_Jesus · Post by **Extreme_Jesus** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:58 am

Write about what you know

If it means something to you, its much easier to write (or at least i find that anyway), i find it hard to write lyrics about things that have to relevance to my life, but thats just me

A big help, is rhyming dictionaries, online ones are very useful. Once you're given a set of options of what to end the line with, writing the rest of it gets easier

but then again not all lyrics have to rhyme, i just prefer mine too

My only problem is that i cant sing

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:49 am

One of my problems with writing just about anything is it has to be based in fact. It's just how my mind works. I need to write about something that has happened, or is possible. If it isn't possible, I need to also write an explanation as to why it is.

Try writing non-sensical garbage. It's an exercise towards better writing altogether.

Don't even bother trying to turn it into something coherent yet, just writing stuff that doesn't make any sense or fit together whatsoever. And THEN turn it into a song.

exploding.monkey · Post by **exploding.monkey** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:23 pm

i sometimes write rap, and eventually i hope to get a cd out.

eurddrue · Post by **eurddrue** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:14 pm

exploding.monkey wrote:i sometimes write rap, and eventually i hope to get a cd out.

have you lived a troubled life?

SonyPortableizer · Post by **SonyPortableizer** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:10 pm

music is like candy...get rid of the rapppers
Only joking, just an old thing I heard someone say

exploding.monkey · Post by **exploding.monkey** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:40 pm

exploding.monkey wrote:
i sometimes write rap, and eventually i hope to get a cd out.

have you lived a troubled life?

funny...

music is like candy...get rid of the rapppers

funny...

Negative_Creep · Post by **Negative_Creep** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:09 am

eurddrue wrote:
exploding.monkey wrote:i sometimes write rap, and eventually i hope to get a cd out.
have you lived a troubled life?

You don't have to live a troubled life to be a rapper. Actually, rappers who rap about other subject material than just money, life sucking, cars and hoes is usually better. See Lupe Fiasco and Immortal Techinque.

exploding.monkey · Post by **exploding.monkey** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:23 am

you listen to immortal technique?! he's the BEST!

Negative Creep, you're my hero.