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[Danny Doubt]

i have different ways of writing songs doing words on a subject like a relationship or the news or summin like i've imagined my friends dying or a dream or something and write the music around that. Or coming up with a riff and ideas for parts and randomly thinking of lyrics that can fit in.
"You can sing anything you can say" - M J Fox

[Bass Cadet]

I always write the tune first then fit in lyrics to suit. I have a big box of reciepts/fag packets/bus tickets that I've scribbled ideas on in rare inspirational moments - some of them dating back 15 years. I just write a tune, look for an idea from the box (tombola style) and I have a tune going in no time. It's impossible to write anything if you aren't in the mood though. Force it and you will just get angry with yourself. And look out for words you like the rythm of - they can turn into songs practically by themselves.

[hobojones]

bloody hell thats a lot more replies than i expected, seriously thanks everybody i'll keep all this in mind when i try to write

[The Kernel Loaf]

For me, I write the song first, get it recorded and then fit in lyrics with appropriate length/syllables in order to fit the song. Usually I come up with a title for the song first so I can get ideas from it, and also i can use it to stay focused on what I am actually writing about

[fraze]

i am also new to the music scene i am away to turn 14 and i have been playing the drums for 7 or 8 years and i am being tought by bill kemp he organised me to get in a band we have only jammed once it was okay but they werrent the style i liked so i gave up was it the best decision i dont know any way i thought to my self i would like to be a mucician when i am older so i tried writing lyrics to a well cool heavy metal beat the beat was excellent but the lyrics was crap i guess i am in the same boat i have took some of your advice but i still strugle please can u give me more

[Marillionboy]

Originally Posted by incredibledisc

You could also try taking what you have written an cutting the phrases up and re-arranging them in a different order to get suprising results. Kurt Cobain (among others) was apparently a fan of the technique (I think he pinched it from writer William Burroughs).

Yes Fish used to do that too I think. I think a fun thing sometimes is mishearing other lyrics or taking a random phrase and thinking it could be part of a different tale altogether.

I still think Hal David is the best lyricist ever, because his lyrics only work fully in conjunction with the music, and the images are so rich yet so easy to understand. "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" is a particular favourite. I like early Paul Weller and in places Fish too. Could never handle lyricists like Tori Amos!

[trippinoneastereggs]

I tend to make up random lyrics during jams and then try to realise what the song is about then after a few jams and I've got something a bit together, then I'll go off on my own and work them out into final versions.

Originally Posted by trippinoneastereggs

I tend to make up random lyrics during jams and then try to realise what the song is about then after a few jams and I've got something a bit together, then I'll go off on my own and work them out into final versions.

Post Modern: If you've a basic intent/message for a song, take a few phrases you had in mind, google them, and see what you can bash together in a cut/copy/paste stylee. It works for academic essays, too!

I've also in the past got quite some mileage out of, ahem, "paraphrasing" a volume of the metaphysical poets that my mum had at teacher training college. (Hint: I am old).

Your Bill Callaghan / Will Oldham / Leonard Cohen stuff might take a bitty more effort

I always make a habit of writing down ace song titles that give me inspiration to write about stuff i feel strongly about. I would say that 90% of the time if your vocals have a good hook/melody then the actual lyrics will just flow. I find that after listening to the actual music over and over again words and phrases start to slot into place.

I wish i could write lyrics like the dude from Brand New though:

"Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't"

i am heaven sent,
don't you dare forget.
i am all you've ever wanted,
what all the other boys all promised.
sorry i told. i just needed you to know.
i think in decimals and dollars.
i am the cause to all your problems,
shelter from cold. we are never alone.
coordinate brain and mouth.
then ask me whats it like to have
myself so figured out.
i wish i knew..

i hope this song starts a craze.
the kind of song that ignites the airwaves.
the kind of song that makes people glad
to be where they are,
with whoever they're there with.
this is war.
every line is about,
who i don't wanna write about anymore.
hope you come down with something
they can't diagnose, don't have the cure for.
holding on to your grudge.
oh its so hard to have someone to love.
and keeping quiet is hard.
cuz you cant keep a secret
if it never was a secret to start.
at least pretend you didn't wanna get caught..

we're concentrating on falling apart.
we were contenders, we're throwing the fight
but i just wanna believe, i just wanna believe,
i just wanna believe, in us.

Oh, we're so c-c-c-c-c-controversial.
we are entirely smooth.
we admit to the truth,
we are the best at what we do.
and these are the words you wish you wrote down.
this is the way you wish your voice sounds,
handsome and smart.
oh my tongue's the only muscle on my body
that works harder than my heart.
and its all from watching tv,
and from speeding up my breathing.
wouldnt stop if i could.
oh it hurts to be this good.
you're holding on to your grudge.
oh it hurts to always have to be honest
with the one that you love.
oh, so let it go..

we're concentrating on falling apart.
we were contenders, we're throwing the fight
but i just wanna believe, i just wanna believe,
i just wanna believe.
we're concentrating on falling apart.
we were contenders, we're throwing the fight
but i just wanna believe, i just wanna believe,
i just wanna believe, in us.

this is the grace that only we can bestow.
this is the price you pay for loss of control.
this is the break in the bend,
this is the closest of calls.
this is the reason your alone,
this is the rise and the fall.

we're concentrating on falling apart.
we were contenders, we're throwing the fight
but i just wanna believe, i just wanna believe,
i just wanna believe.
we're concentrating on falling apart.
we were contenders, we're throwing the fight
but i just wanna believe, i just wanna believe,
i just wanna believe, in us.

[black_matter]

songs can be written about anything. But the best way to write lyrics I personally find, maybe not for yourself, is to draw from a personal experience and give it a punctual twist that only you would understand. You will find it very hard to open up with your lyrics and show people but only you would understand and if people ask you to explain them its up to you. As for the music I find that comes naturally but i hope i could chip in a bit for you there!