Lyric writing

one way needle

Hey, wondering if anyone can share some wisdom. I write songs in a band, and i can write all instrumental parts and even vocal melodies with no problems. My problem is with lyric writing - i'd like to be able to do it myself rather than it always being left to a vocalist.

So i was wondering how do you go about writing lyrics? How do you get your inspiration etc? I normally manage once i have a topic to write about but it's thinking of something that is the hard bit.
Thanks

HYLA

For me writing is very intuitive. I start with a topic I want to address, and wait for my mind to make that intuitive leap that Einstein loved talking about to the opening line. And then it more or less flows from there. It's not something mechanical in nature, but free flowing and spontaneous.

nailz100

For me, its hard to write anything (musically) unless it is in first person. I try to think of powerful feelings and emotions and let them do the writing instead of my mind (thinking too much about it). If I have to stop to think too hard about the direction of the song then maybe the emotion/ feeling I am writing about isn't strong enough and I have to change the lyrical direction. A lot of times I find it hard to pick the words to suit a situation or feeling...mostly because I sometimes can't find words powerful or meaningful enough to me to get my point across.

I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself. Not everybody has to understand your lyrics, or even like them (this includes your band mates). For me, it is hard to sing someone else's lyrics. When it is my own feelings I am putting on paper, I find it easier to express myself vocally.

It also leaves room for alot of heartbreak with songs if other people don't like it and feel they have to critisize it....but my response is F*ck you, these are my feelings, my words, and you haven't been through what I have been through....bottom line....you don't know my life. If you believe in the words you are writing, nothing else matters.

Stinkfoot

I'm a big fan of letting it all pour out...and then re-writing and re-writing...until you have shaped it to how you want it.....I just think it's important to let your mind flow....perfection can be achieved later.....

callisto

Hi my name is jim and i am the lyricist for my band "Callisto"
http://www.callisto.tv

when it comes down to writing i have always felt it best to write about what i know.
which means its coming from inside me and hopefully when i sing them i can relate them with a great deal of feeling as its probably about good , bad or sad experiences i have went through.

i also strip each line of lyrics down to the common denominator.
which for me isnt down to how many words i can fit into a line of lyrics, but how many cylabels each line of lyric possesses.

another rule i adhere to is never start with the name of a song
i always title a song at the end....and by them the title is usually very evident.
if you title it first your restricting yourself to almost a grand design.
i also find after the first few lines of lyrics the song actualy begins to write itself.

furthermore my last bit of advice would be this.

express yourself freely.....it is afterall a craft and an artform.
which when done at its best can move us all and carry us from our mundane lifes into the world a great lyricist has created.
and even if a song lasts 3mins or an epic 12 mins.
when we hear a great set of lyrics placed inside some great music.
it is a true joy.

finally i would say that looking at other peoples songs and studying how they
crafted there lyrics and songs is always a great learning tool.
then you can take whatever influence you derive from them and craft your own
while being carefull not to copy or dulicate.

sorry this message is so long.
best wishes and good luck
jim
http://www.callisto.tv

Sludge Factory

Most of my good stuff comes from me sitting in class at college bored out of my skull.

Sometimes it'll hit me right when I'm about to fall asleep too. That really bothers me because then it brings up the conflict on moving my lazy ass to find a pen or the falling asleep and forgetting everything.

So, basically all I can say is just write whatever comes to mind, you know, just random thoughts you have throughout the day, and piece it together. It helps to take a break and approach it again with a fresh mind too.