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I'm trying to write lyrics for a load of songs(music with no words) that I've had for awhile, I dont have a problem writing music, but I've never been prolific at writing words, averageing at about two complete songs a year(hehe).

I find it easy to start of writing, but I find it difficult to finish lyrics off...

What are your opinions, thoughts, ways of writing etc?

i've never had problems with writing the words, but i'm terrible with writing the music, lucky are those who can do both! i just tend to pour all my thoughts onto the page and the fit it all together and rewrite it. but see, when i say it like that, it totally doesnt make sense, and sounds very clinical, whereas in reality it can be very emotional.

ah the woes of trying to explain something on an internet message board...

Originally posted by ForbiddenFruitcake:
ah the woes of trying to explain something on an internet message board...

Hehe, yes indeed!

Could you maybe show me an example by pm or here?

[ghost]

Grab free postcards or evocative images off the internet. Carry them around and jot down phrases inspired by looking at the pics. Eventually you'll have enough to build a little story - write it and then break it down into lines that scan. Easy?

Take a look at the lyrics page at www.lofimusic.co.uk/iansimpson/lyrics.html for examples (I Stop, Why I Ran In Fear Of My Life, Happiness. Shared., etc.)

[ghost]

Originally posted by ForbiddenFruitcake:
... pour all my thoughts onto the page and the fit it all together and rewrite it...

exactly the same process as it is with the postcard/image idea.

i like to start off with an idea or a concept, say something like problems in society. i'll then just think off what some of these problems are i.e. homlessness, high tax, suicide rates etc., write them all down and then start to piece them together in a lyrical context.

i find it harder to write songs about personal experiences without them sounding cheesey. for example, i've went through some personal problems that would make good material for songs, but i don't want them to sound like their 'attention-seeking' lyrics, if you know what i mean.

it's also best not to sit down with the purpose of writing a song. take a notebook and just go outside and walk around, writing down what you see and feel. you'll be surprised with some of the things you come up with.

read books that you like and make a rant/story about it

[KarmaTsunami]

i get scenarios in my head that would probably be better suited for a short story, but i just try to condense them into a shorter form without losing the main ideas. ocassionally i'll come up with a line, just a single line that i really like and then i can build something around that one line.

THE HARD BIT, I THINK - IS GETTING YOUR ARSE IN GEAR.

YOU NEED TO GET A WRITING PAD AND PEN AND KEEP IT ON YOU ALL THE TIME.

EVERYTIME YOU HEAR SOMETHING OR SEE SOMETHING THAT CATCHES YOUR EYE.

WRITE IT DOWN.

THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN WATCHING A PROGRAMME ON T.V. -IN POPS AN IDEA FOR A SONG -YOU GET INTO IT AND SING ABOUT 5 VERSES IN YOUT HEAD - THEN YOU DON'T WRITE IT DOWN CAUSE YOU THINK YOU'LL STILL REMEMBER IT IN THE MORNING -- YOU WAKE UP -AND YOU CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT ITS ABOUT.

LAY OFF THE POT.