***The Official Songwriting Thread***

Kahn · Unread post by **Kahn** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:39 pm

trippinbilly314 wrote:thats a good idea actually, writing everyday will get long though

not if you enjoy it......

borocks · Unread post by **borocks** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:58 pm

sometimes I try to cope with stuff I experienced by writing something about it. other times I just have an idea and try to write something about it. The last one I had was like, what would you do if you got home one night and the Devil sat on your couch?
seems pretty stupid at first, turned out to be the starting point for a funny ass song, though, which I have almost finished by now.

carter29 · Unread post by **carter29** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:43 am

I think a journal is a great idea, it's weird beause i have been thinking of getting one going for weeks now for lyrics/touhhgts etc.

For song writing, IMO:
get inspired by anything...the affair, breakups, or even simple things. Once my girlfriend was looking out her window and for some reason I remember her squinting really bad b/c the sun was in her eyes, I got some good lines from it, and she was looking at a guy with a bug hat on...surprisingly THAT gave me a clever line too.

Be vague and mysterious but still present your point so it isnt confusing. It's good for listeners to actually listen and think about the song.

Try to have some consistency, if your telling a story, then tell it with maybe a few analogies thrown in, drifting all over the place can perhaps become meaningless

I say number one thing IMO, is confidence of the songwriter in his/her song. when they feel it, sing it, present it with confidence and heart, then its worth the time to listen.

Rhyming isnt essentially, just has to flow and groove well

juineaux · Unread post by **juineaux** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:11 pm

carter29 wrote: For song writing, IMO:
get inspired by anything...the affair, breakups, or even simple things. Once my girlfriend was looking out her window and for some reason I remember her squinting really bad b/c the sun was in her eyes, I got some good lines from it...

I agree write about anything.
Get to know some interesting/weird people as well....you'll be suprised how many songs you get from these people. One of the people that I work with(at a pizza place) spent a few years in prison....he has all kinds of stories, and now I have all kinds of songs-

fatjack · Unread post by **fatjack** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:18 pm

i usually write songs by beginning with a certain motif, whether it be guitar, bass, piano, rhythm, etc. related. its not enough to have lyrics to make a good song. i find its more important to have a unique musical idea in order to truly make an enjoyable song

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:47 am

fatjack wrote:i usually write songs by beginning with a certain motif, whether it be guitar, bass, piano, rhythm, etc. related. its not enough to have lyrics to make a good song. i find its more important to have a unique musical idea in order to truly make an enjoyable song

I concur...lyrics are important but for me, I've gotta have unique and moving music to make it really happen...

freshead16 · Unread post by **freshead16** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 9:42 am

Im more of the singer songwriter type so in my opinion i think the vocal melody of the song has a lot to do with it. Not the lyrics but the tune you are singing. But it all depends on your style i believe

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:16 am

i have a problem writing about happy things. out of 21 songs i probably have 3 that are happy. not all of the rest are sad, but def no happy. every lyric that comes from me that seems to be from a good mood i find cheesy.

freshead16 · Unread post by **freshead16** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:25 pm

Appfro wrote:i have a problem writing about happy things. out of 21 songs i probably have 3 that are happy. not all of the rest are sad, but def no happy. every lyric that comes from me that seems to be from a good mood i find cheesy.

same here....its tough to do. Props to those who can

CBalvarez · Unread post by **CBalvarez** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:21 am

KahnTheRevelator wrote:I've kept a journal for the past year and then some, I generally write everyday, but my longer passages are usually when Im angry or sad or somethings wrong. I also jot down any riffs or anything I write in this notebook. Actually, today I was looking through it and it was filled with a years full of music and emotions.

I felt that with writing, I can remember exactly how I felt at that moment about a certain event, and that is great fuel for songwriting. And emotion doesn't only convey itself in lyrics, it can just as easily be an instrumental piece. I mean, Im sure everyone has listened to a piece with no lyrics at one time or another and been seriously moved by music. (Phish-Inlaw Josie Wales and Umphrey's- The Pequod are both extremely moving songs to me, yet they have no lyrics) In the music I find, the heaviest stuff , the most emotional work, doesn't come from loud noises or screaming emotions, I think its the opposite actually

I just think collecting your thoughts in a notebook or sketch pad or however you express yourself, would help put you in the state of mind back when you were so emotional, and as much as it may hurt, emotional music is usually the best.

My $0.02

deep man, lol, this is exactly, to every detail, how I feel, even what you said about going through all those emotions again. I have about 2 full journals of poems, and some just kind of freestyle writing stuff...

To Make the most meaningful songs to yourself, they need to be about real life, your personal emotions, as you can tell by my poem below thats how I feel. and written in that way, they usually can mean alot to many many other people as well. let it all out!

katie · Unread post by **katie** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:39 am

nice you guys! There are some really great ideas as well. I'm in the same boat about not really understanding how to write lyrics. I write in poetry forums and people tell me what they look, particular stanzas etc. and I usually go with it.

Journal yes, then reread journal after a few months, days, etc. and pick out the lines that still tug at your heart, these are the eternals, the ones that span time and write each one down, however unrelated it seems at first then look at it again and see if you can work them in together. Makes for some darn good stuff, in my opinion.

Playing an instrument and just singing off the top of your head is really nice, makes for some really good stream of consciousness...

and someone mentioned the his, her, mom, dad thing. I concure. For example, enya writes stories but instead of it always being about 'her' even though it probably is she puts the song in such a way that it's about anyone - she gives it away in such a beautiful manner that way. I have my own personal things, like I don't use any color within my lyrics - every single hue I see inside of you...

It took me away to come into my own style and voice and then to recognize it and cultivate it and be okay with it. Experiment and have fun!

thinking about starting a stream thread for lyricists here - give i.deas on the lines that pull the strings.. ?

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:39 pm

top

sometimes i wonder if i'm done.

i haven't written a song in 8 months almost. it's killing me. i've had a few good one liners but i can't put them into a song. and then the other night i was listening to plans by deathcab and i go so pissed off cause i can't write like that and as of lately, i can't write at all.

Trippin Hillbilly · Unread post by **Trippin Hillbilly** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:53 pm

Appfro wrote:top

sometimes i wonder if i'm done. i haven't written a song in 8 months almost. it's killing me. i've had a few good one liners but i can't put them into a song. and then the other night i was listening to plans by deathcab and i go so pissed off cause i can't write like that and as of lately, i can't write at all.

tell me about it.. i wrote a song recently but it's the first i've written in a long time. And it's not all that good. My biggest problem, to me is that all my songs are starting to sound the same to me. I need to get out of this rut.

Anyway, I've always heard that writing songs about dreams is awesome. Only problem, as soon as you wake up, you forget your dreams. Solution, put a journal by your bed and write in the morning while it's still fresh. Can't say i've tried it but I'm definately going to.

GreedylilPig · Unread post by **GreedylilPig** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:43 pm

Mitch/Miguel: Do either of you have albums? If not, are you working toward compiling one? I've written a lot of songs, but only consider myself half-way there in terms of completing my album. Just wondering about others' experiences pursuing the same goal.

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:33 pm

GreedylilPig wrote:Mitch/Miguel: Do either of you have albums? If not, are you working toward compiling one? I've written a lot of songs, but only consider myself half-way there in terms of completing my album. Just wondering about others' experiences pursuing the same goal.

i have about 20 or so songs. i'm definetly going to make a 5 song EP soon and very soon. my problem is that it will be all acoustic. which is ok by me, i just would like to have a bit more before i take it to a record company or anything.

as far as the songwriting goes...i think i'm going to do that. put a journal beside my bed and write about the dreams. i'm also going to keep a pad on me so i can write lyrics as i get them.

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