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Building Your Lyrics, date: january 19, 2005
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Building Your Lyrics

author: adhdmonjon date: 01/19/2005 category: songwriting & lyrics
rating: 9.3 / votes: 283 

Step 1 - Main Idea.
The title could be the first thing you do, or the last thing you do. But make sure that you think of your main idea. The main idea is usually something you feel strong about, something you want to persuade others, a story, an experience, etc. Just write down something that you want your song to be mostly about. You could now base the title off of your main idea or just wait and see if you want to use something else, but you are now ready for step 2.

Step 2 - Chorus.
Your Chorus should be about your main idea, it shouldn't be very detailed tho. You should write about how you feel about your main topic; even though the chorus doesn't have to say your main idea, just write about how the main idea makes you feel or thoughts that you have. You don't even have to rhyme yet, just jot down your feelings, rhyming could come last if you wanted it to. Now onto step 3.

Step 3 - Verses.
Your verses should support your main idea and/or your chorus. Now, the verses should be detailed. Still not having to rhyme, jot down reasons for the main idea, thoughts about the main idea, emotions that you feel while experiencing the main idea(you may have used these in the chorus, but you shouldn't have been detailing them, now is the time to go more in depth with your feelings about the main idea, etc. It's always best to use the five sense six if you see dead people) during the writing process, the audience will be more into the song this way. Do not make your versus too long or the song will most likely become boring. There is usually two to three verses in a song, but it is up to you.

Step 4 - Bridge.
You don't need a bridge, a lot of music these days don't have bridges. Bridges are usually used when your main topic is something you feel. The bridge could be like what you do when the feeling comes over you. Usually a more aggressive part of the song.

Step 5 - Rhyming.
Now that you have your chorus, your verses, and maybe your bridge, its time to make it rhyme. Go back to your brainstorming and start piecing it together, rearanging it, and tweeking it. If you can't make some of the words rhyme, find a thesaurus to find synonyms of the word you want to rhyme with, and start to piece that together (I suggest www.rhymezone.com for synonyms and rhymes, and many other ways to build your wording). You will also need a rhyme scheme, meaning how often the rhymes occur and in what order they occur. Having a good rhyme sheme is also very helpful when making the melody of the lyrics.

Step 6 - Melody.
Melody always depends on what kind of song it is and what rhyme scheme you have. Sometimes it's easier to have a riff on a guitar or piano or something similar. I can't go in too deep on melodies because I have my own style and everyone has a different style (except pop music).

Step 7 - Structure.
Time to put the pieces in place. The verse usually comes before the chorus and then theres another verse, and maybe a bridge, sometimes there's also a prechorus which is basically tying the verse and the chorus together, like a transition. but you can put your song together any which way you like.

Step 8 - Instruments.
After putting the lyrics together, it's time to add instruments and tone to your song. You don't always have to do this if you just want to be a songwriter or if you're in a band, hand out the lyrics to your members and they can individuallypiece the instrumentals together. Or sing the song to yourself and think of what a good sound would be, if you cant do it in your head, record yoursefl singing it and then maybe hum to it and it could come out naturally.

Conclusion.
Ok, well that's all I have for you now, with any questions or examples, instant message me or email me.

POSTED: 01/19/2005 - 09:02 am + print this article + mail to a friend
 229 
 comments posted
guitarcrazy900 :
It's a good article, there are times where, for me at least, it's a very spontaneous thing and the words just fly onto the page and the melody comes together right away while i'm writing. But for just sitting down and writing its a good structure to follow.
POSTED: 01/19/2005 - 09:51 pm / quote |
ChurchPunk :
Second! Good article, man.
POSTED: 01/20/2005 - 07:49 pm / quote |
MetalGuitarist0 :
yeah... it has some helpful points, but i dont think anyone can ever make a formula for songwriting
POSTED: 01/20/2005 - 10:08 pm / quote |
Dlawso :
Great!!!!
POSTED: 01/23/2005 - 11:57 am / quote |
peroxidebasser :
i agree with metalguitarist0, but i have always sucked at writing songs and this helped alot.
POSTED: 01/23/2005 - 03:17 pm / quote |
dnizzle :
word
POSTED: 01/23/2005 - 03:47 pm / quote |
joe001 :
thanks im gona use this if no-one else does
POSTED: 01/24/2005 - 06:34 am / quote |
nirvana_05 :
this helped lots. thanx
POSTED: 01/26/2005 - 05:42 pm / quote |
sketelz :
awesome... great article... thanx, I never thought of writing songs that way, so thanx for the tip
POSTED: 01/29/2005 - 09:09 pm / quote |
Alien_from_a_cd :
It's agood article, but the fifth step isn't always nessesary. Not all songs rhyme, you know. But apart from that, great point!
POSTED: 01/30/2005 - 10:31 am / quote |
ooblah :
i thought it was good. If you want a good example of writing lyrics that dont rhyme, check out steve harris of iron maiden... his lyrics rarely rhyme but yet they get the point across really well.
POSTED: 01/30/2005 - 07:18 pm / quote |
JoelCMJ :
THANK YOU!!!..
POSTED: 02/04/2005 - 05:53 am / quote |
LedZepplin64 :
it really helped, aha

not REALLY but really

ok it helped and is good article

KURT COBAIN will live forever R.I.P. kurt

POSTED: 02/04/2005 - 04:53 pm / quote |
FlamesFan_21 :
Great article, ill use this method from here on out
POSTED: 02/05/2005 - 07:14 pm / quote |
IsayNI :
ya good article but like some peeps are sayin you really cant write a formula for songwriting... and usually my band will make songs and then ill write lyrics for them but i do alot of the brainstorming and stuff that you were talking about and alot of the steps still aply... but i find it helps to have a tune already and then taking a song you wrote and then reformating it to fit the music
POSTED: 02/06/2005 - 07:30 pm / quote |
scottkennedy1 :
Thats Perfect!
POSTED: 02/09/2005 - 07:59 pm / quote |
Kadrean :
A damn good guide, I'll definately be using this one! Mwahahahahah and so on. :P
POSTED: 02/12/2005 - 11:43 am / quote |
petergedeck :
Ey dudes, this lesson is cinda cool. it helpt me to my first non paperbin song. Im full of insperation now t my new band HAMLET, thanx
POSTED: 02/12/2005 - 01:09 pm / quote |
SURFraptor7 :
i definitely have melody problems when im writing songs... my choruses always end up very similar and bland, so maybe this might help... good article
POSTED: 02/18/2005 - 10:13 pm / quote |
patisonfire :
common sence..
POSTED: 02/20/2005 - 09:41 am / quote |
Iboseth :
Good lesson but remember... song not always have chorus.
POSTED: 02/20/2005 - 09:02 pm / quote |
Mike_rocka_boy :
Good lesson but remember... song not always have chorus.

Man i have never heard a song with out a chorus so your point there was just stupid but now when i get a band together i actually know how to right a song! Thanks man this helped a lot!! A+++..

POSTED: 03/01/2005 - 03:45 am / quote |
ollerom_mot :
good article, the basis of a lot of songs i imagine, and a good way to write it, but often i'll just write lyrics, not use them until a few months afterwards, then end up putting them on a song. i've never once written a song to lyrics, i find it much easier to write the music first and put lyrics to it afterwards.
POSTED: 03/02/2005 - 12:34 pm / quote |
Aimilian0s :
nice dude
POSTED: 03/13/2005 - 05:06 pm / quote |
dwnbowden :
good article but i would do the music first. i guess that varies tho
POSTED: 03/18/2005 - 05:47 pm / quote |
GreenPen :
Man i have never heard a song with out a chorus so your point there was just stupid


Song that doesnt have a chorus - Seven Nation Army, and some other White Stripes songs. Surely you've heard Seven Nation Army?

POSTED: 03/20/2005 - 05:04 am / quote |
hellbassist1 :
it does have a chorus just it doesnt have lyrics to it so it is sort of a chorus i think
POSTED: 03/22/2005 - 07:22 am / quote |
Weesnaw :
Nice this helps man, preciate it
POSTED: 04/01/2005 - 10:42 pm / quote |
DeathBeyondLife :
it doesnt need to rhyme, the title dont have to mean anything and ive heard song with no chorus. are band made one. as it tells a story.

www.freewebs.com/blackjackmetal2

the site is under construction

POSTED: 04/03/2005 - 06:22 pm / quote |
Iboseth :
Song that doesnt have a chorus - Seven Nation Army, and some other White Stripes songs. Surely you've heard Seven Nation Army?

I agree... the chorus is a riff not a lyrical chorus

POSTED: 04/04/2005 - 11:58 am / quote |
laurent :
cool lesson it helped alot chears!
POSTED: 04/04/2005 - 01:36 pm / quote |
deadaim :
great method for starting me off, maybe chage it around later on
POSTED: 04/07/2005 - 12:40 pm / quote |
Skip Dawg :
I also agree with metalguitarist0

I think it was a good artical but didn't really help me that much

POSTED: 04/09/2005 - 04:31 pm / quote |
Armyguitarist :
Thanks, That was a great article. I've been wanting to start writing songs but never knew exactly where to start. Kudos to you!!!
POSTED: 04/11/2005 - 02:17 pm / quote |
suicideangel_2 :
yeah cool but there is too musch to read but thats coz its detailed but great article
POSTED: 04/13/2005 - 04:36 pm / quote |
kazmot :
rate 1-10 = 7
it's great...

POSTED: 04/13/2005 - 10:43 pm / quote |
queen471 :
40th! woooo *sarcasm*. common sense really that article. you eigther have song writing ability or you dont, you cant just learn how to at the flick of a wrist
POSTED: 04/14/2005 - 01:59 pm / quote |
battlecruiser :
Solid article, helped me with my structuring...
POSTED: 04/18/2005 - 01:57 am / quote |
Andy T :
I already write my own songs and shit.but you guys gave me an extra boost. though some of my lyrics may not rhyme and may not have a chorus,I FUKIN APPRECIATE IT!
POSTED: 04/18/2005 - 09:04 pm / quote |
LedZeppelin4LiF :
Nice makes me wanna go write some shit down right now, thx alot bro
POSTED: 05/07/2005 - 02:47 pm / quote |
Vodd :
i need to write, but im gonna go watch Amir Khan smash Mario Kindelan.
Nice article thanks dude

POSTED: 05/14/2005 - 04:01 pm / quote |
no_hassel :
thanks. this really hepled.
POSTED: 05/16/2005 - 06:50 pm / quote |
jeremypotter967 :
5 stars
POSTED: 05/21/2005 - 11:42 pm / quote |
perccuci540 :
Great articale thnx
POSTED: 05/28/2005 - 06:43 pm / quote |
thesmartguy50 :
very nice... ive always had a little trouble with putting together a good song. This might help. You rock, man.
POSTED: 05/30/2005 - 02:50 pm / quote |
rockoutloud :
i cant think of a melody now
POSTED: 05/30/2005 - 04:41 pm / quote |
guitarkid2113 :
You kow what i thinnk works best, lol when im about to go to sleep ill think of something and write it down and think about it. Then in the morning illl make a riff or something with it and build off of that, but i like this lesson cuz it helped with the chorus birdge and all that good stuff. Thanks a lot.
POSTED: 07/15/2005 - 10:35 am / quote |
Jord0013 :
not bad theory. but i think its better jus to ight down your emotions... straight from ya hed. them match it with a suitable riff. always works.
POSTED: 07/20/2005 - 11:55 am / quote |
ilikepie :
i agree with Jord0013
POSTED: 07/24/2005 - 02:01 am / quote |
Flava_Craze :
Thnx 4 the lesson, its helped me ALOT for writing a song for my college cwk! thnx xxx
POSTED: 07/27/2005 - 09:59 am / quote |
halo43 :
its a good article, and this would work, definatly, but i dont think that the lyrics that someone writes have to make sense together. i mean, look at someone like Syd Barrett. did any of his lyrics ever really make sense the first time you read or listened to em? or John Lennon. did his song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds(with the Beatles, of course), do any of those words make sense? i think that the purpose of lyrics is to paint a picture, no matter how crazy or disorganized it is. and its cool if your lyrics make sense, but dont think that they always have to.

great article though.

POSTED: 07/31/2005 - 04:59 pm / quote |
.:*§c@rY*:. :
It's helped me alot!! Thanks!!



R.I.P Dimebag Darrell

POSTED: 09/24/2005 - 04:51 am / quote |
bcg1209 :
what is a bridge...
POSTED: 09/25/2005 - 10:12 pm / quote |
Cye Aeterna :
i suck at song writing, i cant choose the write words, and i cant use words to symbolise seperate meanings...i can hardly rhyme and my melodies suck... i need some serious help...cuz this is a bad sign...
POSTED: 10/05/2005 - 10:20 pm / quote |
Cye Aeterna :
plus i dont even know what iw ant to write about, i cant really write about politics (too young and stupid for that) i cant write about love&loss(never been truly in love), and all i can come up with is nothing....this is very very very hard.
POSTED: 10/05/2005 - 10:24 pm / quote |
slash=legend :
excellent article im prtinting this off and putting it in my "musicians scrabook", sounds stupid but it keeps all my stuff together and i get to read it quicker. lol
POSTED: 10/16/2005 - 09:52 am / quote |
littlesteph05 :
great it soound just like crital thinking, backing up your side of an augrment, or ideas
POSTED: 10/18/2005 - 07:17 am / quote |
Doc2112 :
Nice Lesson MAN
POSTED: 11/04/2005 - 05:51 pm / quote |
lpfreek18 :
This is an AWESOME lessons thnx alot !!!!!
POSTED: 11/10/2005 - 03:24 am / quote |
captainxkitty :
It's a good idea if you've never written a song in your life. But the best way to write a song is to come up with music and then write lyrics to it, It's always harder to write music that fits the syllables and the rhythmic structure of the words. My best advice is let yourself go wild and don't follow advice.
POSTED: 11/27/2005 - 02:28 pm / quote |
AshI_234 :
good article i have a band and were strugling with lyrics so hopefully this will help thnx.
POSTED: 11/30/2005 - 12:05 pm / quote |
punkrocker_336 :
kool
POSTED: 12/09/2005 - 10:07 pm / quote |
cilliano :
10/10 Well Done
POSTED: 12/11/2005 - 09:36 am / quote |
savedbygrace333 :
good job it helps a lot...thanx
POSTED: 12/21/2005 - 10:14 pm / quote |
abundzu :
thx! just wrote my 1st song today (well, i STARTED), really helped!
POSTED: 12/24/2005 - 03:12 pm / quote |
fallinsuburbia :
this was alright. it had some helpful points. and it wasn't too long. i have a thing with reading long articles
POSTED: 12/28/2005 - 02:27 pm / quote |
fallinsuburbia :
now i want to write stuff down.
POSTED: 12/28/2005 - 02:29 pm / quote |
ladies-man :
Nice article i think at times we all have trouble getting songs together and this helped me alot
POSTED: 01/02/2006 - 06:17 pm / quote |
System_Freak :
Great artical, I read this, tried what you said, and I made a song where I dont feel...'Oh im just playing this cause Im bored' once again, great article, its really helped.
POSTED: 01/05/2006 - 06:12 pm / quote |
Gibaha :
A+
POSTED: 01/07/2006 - 01:45 am / quote |
Punk Hampster :
I have my own style of somgwriting but I picked up a lot of helpful tips and tricks from this guy.
Totally

POSTED: 01/11/2006 - 01:58 am / quote |
Punk Hampster :
COOL
POSTED: 01/11/2006 - 01:59 am / quote |
Sailor_no1 :
yeh was helpful man. Ive always had trouble finishing a song but might just be able to do it now
POSTED: 01/11/2006 - 07:13 am / quote |
slash=legend :
OM MY GOD!!!! SOME DUDE SAID SEVEN NATION ARMY DOESNT HAVE A CHORUS!!!!! WHATS THE GUITAR BIT THEN??
POSTED: 01/13/2006 - 02:25 pm / quote |
Anden :
nice
POSTED: 01/21/2006 - 12:50 pm / quote |
the.iron.maiden :
great article; it really helped with the writers block!
POSTED: 01/21/2006 - 06:14 pm / quote |
the.iron.maiden :
now if i could only sing....
POSTED: 01/21/2006 - 06:15 pm / quote |
scottishmob :
Hey, seven nation army might have a chorus, whatever, I don't know, but Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix doesn't/ So there, I schooled all of you! Ahahaha!
POSTED: 01/29/2006 - 02:08 am / quote |
Greentaker :
You deserve this note with this article. Its the best i've seen. It helped me a lot!
POSTED: 02/01/2006 - 06:56 pm / quote |
scottybassman :
thanks dude. you defininely know what ur about
POSTED: 02/07/2006 - 02:41 am / quote |
elaboratemind :
I think is a really great lesson and has helped me with to get over the dilema i once had writing songs
POSTED: 02/07/2006 - 11:54 am / quote |
CBA28 :
You just organized chaos man, Thx
POSTED: 02/12/2006 - 09:41 pm / quote |
fuege :
what can i say....more such info is welcome.
POSTED: 02/18/2006 - 01:27 am / quote |
camtheman :
this was a great article this helped me write my first song!!!!!
POSTED: 02/18/2006 - 11:07 am / quote |
3 days grace :
thx man helped ou alot
POSTED: 02/25/2006 - 06:52 pm / quote |
guitarkid27 :
i tend to hear the whole song in my head first, the instruments, the singer, the audience... i'm probly weird
POSTED: 03/02/2006 - 08:20 pm / quote |
slash010203 :
hi gd article but im still stuck lol can sum1 just give me th ere song nd i will make a simelar version 4 my band plz send 2 grantz_7hotmail@hotmail.com
POSTED: 03/06/2006 - 06:16 am / quote |
slash010203 :
lol plz
POSTED: 03/06/2006 - 06:17 am / quote |
coolluke0505 :
alulululululululuulalualu
alualualululualulululuaua
ullalalluulul!!!

POSTED: 03/06/2006 - 09:13 pm / quote |
j.fabe :
good article, yet song writing can happen very spontaniously
POSTED: 03/11/2006 - 08:11 pm / quote |
sketchy z :
i find it a lot easier to work the lyrics around the instrumentals when im done them, and ughhhhh forced rhyming
POSTED: 03/25/2006 - 10:39 pm / quote |
rockin'@12 :
this really helps believe it or not
POSTED: 03/26/2006 - 12:42 pm / quote |
ANGUS/JIMI_ROCK :
Hmmm.. songs without a chorus stairway to heaven doesn't have a traditonal chorus (besides that makes me wonder part) and I'm pretty sure there are some other zeppelin songs without them. A lot of blues songs don't have choruses either.
POSTED: 04/02/2006 - 03:37 pm / quote |
manthtscrazy :
good article but everything doesnt come in that order like some times ill make the riff first then make lyrics to it
but good article

POSTED: 04/02/2006 - 07:06 pm / quote |
sing4am :
Thats pretty good. But I find the best songs I write are when Im just chill'n or whatever and like, 3 lines just pop into my head and I just work other words around them.
POSTED: 04/14/2006 - 04:17 am / quote |
randman21 :
I think this is an excellent lesson, but I always hear that you should do the chorus first. I've found that my choruses suck eggs if I don't do the verse first. For me, the verses give me the idea for the chorus (and the chorus for future verses). Once again, great lesson!
POSTED: 04/21/2006 - 07:24 pm / quote |
Trunx :
Yeah...Quite good. I'm inexperienced in song writing, and I don't agree in all the steps, your lesson still helped. Good work and Thanks! xD :P
POSTED: 04/22/2006 - 12:13 pm / quote |
Trunx :

POSTED: 04/22/2006 - 12:14 pm / quote |
Climber10 :
i suppose this could be helpful for the absolute beginner that wants to write songs to fall into the standard niche of popular music. but as something of a poet. i can tell you that constaints will strip your writing of emotion very quickly, and in response to the guy who said all songs have a chorus, that's completely false. song writing in general does not have rules in this sense. and if you wish to be constained by these, you shall find yourself with all those others like you.
POSTED: 05/12/2006 - 08:37 pm / quote |
Slash Rules :
maybe but u generally need a chorus to fit it all together. Some people will find that what ever they write lyrics they sound poor im afraid there is a certain amount of talent involved in being able to write lyrics
POSTED: 05/21/2006 - 08:08 am / quote |
Slash Rules :
If you can't i would suggest that you get someone else in your band to rite them instead
POSTED: 05/21/2006 - 08:09 am / quote |
Dragonfly88 :
You create songs in a whole other way than I do it. I usually go sit and write because I have to get something off my mind, I've always done it that way. By the way I'm in a writer's block, I was hoping this lesson might get me out of it but it didn't. Yet I think this lesson could (could!) be useful for newbies who want to start writing songs.
POSTED: 05/26/2006 - 03:35 pm / quote |
Joery :
Nice dude ! This will help me alot
POSTED: 06/01/2006 - 12:40 pm / quote |
guitar-7777 :
thanks man i realy needed some help because i want to write a song but i need to write some lyrics so i can get started with my guitar and it will all flow
POSTED: 06/07/2006 - 07:04 pm / quote |
AmplifySilence :
good article, o think rhyming could be done as you make the verse and chorus instead of after, but that's just what i do,
good article though, im glad you talked about rhyming, my band members cant rhyme so they say its no nessecary but it is, i can rhyme and i think its very important to make a song sound good.

POSTED: 06/09/2006 - 06:45 pm / quote |
AmplifySilence :
Dragonfly88 wrote:

You create songs in a whole other way than I do it. I usually go sit and write because I have to get something off my mind, I've always done it that way. By the way I'm in a writer's block, I was hoping this lesson might get me out of it but it didn't. Yet I think this lesson could (could!) be useful for newbies who want to start writing songs.


I write music the same as you but sometimes i force a song to fit a riff and its not as great.
lyrics to get something off your mind that comes before the rest of the instuments make a better song

POSTED: 06/09/2006 - 06:48 pm / quote |
dav3011 :
i didn't actually think this would work , but i tried it and i have written a song lol but now i just need music :P
POSTED: 06/10/2006 - 06:32 am / quote |
b.c.rich rules :
this article SEEMS helpful, and I'm glad you made it, but you can't make a specific formula for songwriting. It just happens.
POSTED: 06/10/2006 - 08:07 pm / quote |
ultimaterocker6 :
Dude this helps so much. I new about the struture but it was all mixed up in my head in couldn't get it straight. Reading this made my head clear. This is great i've started a new band and need to write songs still bummed for ideas but this helped. I'd reconmend it to anyone with trouble with song writtin. ROCK ON
POSTED: 06/17/2006 - 12:47 pm / quote |
ushyschick :
man this i skinda helpful but i am a song wrioter so i know how but i am havin a huomgo prob?! i cant choose over all my MAIN IDEAS?! i cant write all the songs @ once?!
POSTED: 06/22/2006 - 11:04 pm / quote |
Joery :
damn girl, speak a bit clearer! And dont use a damn question mark together with a '!' if you want to >say< somethinG!
POSTED: 06/23/2006 - 01:53 pm / quote |
Joery :
and use commas and stuff!
POSTED: 06/23/2006 - 01:53 pm / quote |
Mely :
This Help a lot ,
thanks

POSTED: 06/30/2006 - 07:05 pm / quote |
Dani California :
bro i dnt care what these guys reckon this article is awesome. finaly wrote a decent song wid it shot bro good stuff peace yalls
POSTED: 07/01/2006 - 01:23 am / quote |
adhdmonjon :
ok, i wrote this, this is not a need to do, these are just guidlines, you dont have to follow all of them
POSTED: 07/04/2006 - 04:10 am / quote |
Nickleback1192 :
It's Helped me alot thx!!
POSTED: 07/07/2006 - 09:45 am / quote |
JamesDiFab :
yer preety awesome, all of you who are wanting to bag the guy who wrote this should lay off. he's only tryin to help after all

****THE DARKNESS ROCK**** JUSTIN HAWKINS IS A GOD *****

POSTED: 07/09/2006 - 09:45 pm / quote |
ratchmo :
i like the idea that you write and than rhyme. Sound like writing an essay
POSTED: 07/10/2006 - 10:44 pm / quote |
pirret67 :
you rawk man
this artical really helped

POSTED: 07/13/2006 - 05:01 pm / quote |
iggy pop :
sweet dude. cheers. peace out y'll
POSTED: 07/13/2006 - 05:02 pm / quote |
washburntabu :
yea im in a band im lead singer and lead guitarist and i hae had problems wrighting lately and this method will help thanks
POSTED: 07/22/2006 - 04:52 pm / quote |
cheezwiz1228 :
good article for structure and stuff man but i noticed a lot of guys say that writing the melody first is better and i agree. first you should come up with main idea like you said and with that im able to determine the speed and tone of the intro, verses, chorus, and the entire melody.
POSTED: 08/03/2006 - 12:37 pm / quote |
MatfunktheMonk :
Good lesson. But rhyming is a crazy subject, I don't mind it, and there are tons of songs that i like that include it, but when i write songs I tend to hate my lyrics if they rhyme too much, dunno guess it seems a bit cliche to me sometimes, too predictable (that's not alays bad naturally). ehat do u guys think?
POSTED: 08/09/2006 - 07:05 pm / quote |
MatfunktheMonk :
P.s sorry bout the typing, and now the double post
POSTED: 08/09/2006 - 07:06 pm / quote |
stumpyishere :
Great atrticle.....Perfect for when u hit writers block!
POSTED: 08/16/2006 - 04:34 am / quote |
InspiredMind :
For the rhyming challenged folks www.rhymezone.com - and www.dictionary.com - both great tools! And personally - I've always let the music express my feelings and the words come after that. That's just me I guess.
POSTED: 08/16/2006 - 05:44 am / quote |
lavalampan :
yeah it's good. it had been even better if you made a song to show exactly what you mean
POSTED: 08/17/2006 - 08:18 am / quote |
ns2max :
GOOD
POSTED: 08/18/2006 - 09:07 am / quote |
guitar1freak :
im really gonna use this now
trying to form a band, but i needed lyrics to my songs
thanx again!

POSTED: 08/18/2006 - 02:19 pm / quote |
Dunjma :
its mostly all common sense really.
i didnt get much out of this is and the way you say some things is that you have to have everything in your lesson but a lot of the songs i write dont ryme or have a bridge. also things like saying that the song must be structured and make sense and all that doesnt really work eaither. if your writing a good song then it comes from the heart and the heart very rarly makes any sense at all. also i agree with some of the other people, which is that you cant make a formula for songwriting. And the title should be the FIRST thing you do as it tells you what it is that your writing about and what for.

POSTED: 08/19/2006 - 05:46 am / quote |
tendershredr418 :
this is such a stupid lesson, its all common sense and made up from one mans opinion. conformists will follow it tho. way to sound like other people!!
POSTED: 08/22/2006 - 08:22 pm / quote |
punkrawkdude :
I sometimes tend to write the instrument stuff before the lyrics, you could do it either way really
POSTED: 08/25/2006 - 10:43 am / quote |
fretmaster01 :
I'm actually doing a project required for highschool graduation and this article helps me a lot. Go0d one adhdmonjon!! hehe...
POSTED: 08/25/2006 - 02:13 pm / quote |
fretmaster01 :
anyblaR.. hehe.. my project is about song composition... that's why this helps.. hehe..
POSTED: 08/25/2006 - 02:53 pm / quote |
Nataku :
eh. This is alright. You dont necessarily have to rhyme your songs though. Telling people to whip out a thesaurus if they cant figure out a rhyme is a little too dictating.
POSTED: 08/28/2006 - 08:04 pm / quote |
Slappywag :
It's pritty good, but comeing up with ideas to write about is hard. I can Write decent riffs on guitar but I can't do word, if I do think of some thing it pop's into my head and I can't really think of how to finish it. But this might help THANKS!!!
POSTED: 08/28/2006 - 10:35 pm / quote |
Slappywag :
p.s. EVERY ONE SUX BUT ME! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
POSTED: 08/28/2006 - 10:36 pm / quote |
P-Laverty :
respect, for a great lessons, seriously, u helped me write my first song, it was sooooo helpful, thnx.
P.S. i put in the music as i go along, but u no watever floats ya boat.

Peace out.

POSTED: 08/31/2006 - 06:59 am / quote |
RoelieBoelie :
which one has to rhyme, the verse or the chorus? or both?
POSTED: 09/02/2006 - 12:58 pm / quote |
Skathe_665 :
Man, you stole this idea straight off an english teacher didn't you? LOL, but nah seriously. I never would have thought about writing lyrics down like that, good job.
POSTED: 09/07/2006 - 10:19 pm / quote |
stampy_69 :
hey, this was a great help! i've tried to write songs before but then they just sounded like shit but this really helped me..... *10 gazillion*
POSTED: 09/29/2006 - 09:43 pm / quote |
Jaemia :
this helped me, because normally I can't write shit, so thank you.
POSTED: 09/30/2006 - 11:08 am / quote |
theblackparade9 :
OMG that helped so much i just thought of 2 songs from this thank u
POSTED: 10/06/2006 - 09:11 pm / quote |
Razorbuzz :
hey dude
i like your article!
it helped me a lot

POSTED: 10/08/2006 - 06:14 am / quote |
NathanWolff :
what if you make the instruments parts first and then write the lyrics? Like it works better for me but i suck at writing lyrics. wait... maybe the problem is that i just suck at writing???
POSTED: 10/16/2006 - 09:36 pm / quote |
Mr.Chainsaw :
Mike_rocka_boy wrote:

Good lesson but remember... song not always have chorus.


Man i have never heard a song with out a chorus so your point there was just stupid but now when i get a band together i actually know how to right a song! Thanks man this helped a lot!! A+++..


Are you an idiot? Of course there are songs without choruses...

POSTED: 10/21/2006 - 01:27 am / quote |
darkiii :
"It's always best to use the five sense, six if you see dead people."

"I can't go in too deep on melodies because I have my own style and everyone has a different style (except pop music)."

ahahaha really funny =D
btw, really nice article


POSTED: 10/22/2006 - 05:12 pm / quote |
EddieRocks83 :
this helps a lot
POSTED: 11/03/2006 - 12:41 pm / quote |
the_forerunner :
d`oh!
POSTED: 12/07/2006 - 04:13 pm / quote |
obsessed_person :
thakyou!!! i have writers block at the moment so thankyou!!!
POSTED: 12/10/2006 - 06:55 pm / quote |
MetallicA44 :
Man,thanks great article helped me heaps,i suck at writing and this got my band going
POSTED: 12/15/2006 - 10:32 pm / quote |
Td_Nights :
This has helped a bit for me,although i mainly write about my scarce sarrow moments and mainly about forms of nature,as strange as that can sound in some circumstances.
POSTED: 12/22/2006 - 08:56 pm / quote |
carpo :
what would you suggest to someone like me who writes music fairly competently on guitar first verses/choruses/bridges...virtually a full song. then try to fit lyrics around the music?
POSTED: 12/29/2006 - 06:31 pm / quote |
carpo :
can anyone please tell me why when i post a comment, go to something different then come back for areply my comment is not on the screen yet when iwrite another one like this the previous one appears! obviously i am not great with computers!
POSTED: 12/29/2006 - 06:38 pm / quote |
carpo :
i swear it did it again! aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!

POSTED: 12/29/2006 - 06:39 pm / quote |
carpo :
this is giving me the f'king hump now!!
POSTED: 12/29/2006 - 06:40 pm / quote |
stevieraywolf :
patisonfire wrote:

common sence..

it's spelled scence

POSTED: 12/31/2006 - 11:12 pm / quote |
!!Dope Man!! :
good article, but remember that the words don't have to rhyme.
POSTED: 01/03/2007 - 07:40 pm / quote |
Schecter923 :
I agree with the guy who said that its practically impossible to make a formula for songwriting. Good article tho, good tips for just letting your emotions go. When an idea just comes to mind the words flow right out (for me at least). I was really inspired one day and wrote my favorite song Ive ever written in the course of about a half hour. Today, on the other hand, I just sat down and said "lets write a song today" and worked 3 hours without getting any results I liked. Songwriting is weird like that
POSTED: 01/04/2007 - 08:49 pm / quote |
aSobærDesign :
Hopefully people who aren't naturally talented at poetry/lyric writing read this before they write lyrics for a band. Some of the local bands around here really need this article to teach them the basics. Didn't help me personally, but it's great for someone who hasn't written much but wants to.
POSTED: 01/10/2007 - 09:43 pm / quote |
-Rock-N'-Roll- :
aSobærDesign wrote:

Hopefully people who aren't naturally talented at poetry/lyric writing read this before they write lyrics for a band. Some of the local bands around here really need this article to teach them the basics. Didn't help me personally, but it's great for someone who hasn't written much but wants to.

I know

POSTED: 01/16/2007 - 02:54 pm / quote |
lucas_22 :
good pionts on writing


POSTED: 01/18/2007 - 10:34 pm / quote |
Alvi :
nice lesson there, and i think it would definatly help people strugglin to write lyrics of their own. But here is another tip: if u r in a middle of writin/composing a song, try your best not to listen to a certain track or artist alot since it will start effectin ur own composition, specially if u have just stepped into song makin stuff. Another thing, as Rock N Roll indicated, lyrics do usually come out naturally...they just come to your head. For me they are mostly accompanied with entire melody and they start rollin over like a complete song in ur head. that time comes soon too so no worries, just take as much as u can from this lesson and soon u will be havin no problem in sittin and writing ur own song
ps: one MAJOR thing: dont FORCE urself to write lyrics...if u aint in the mood, forget it. To write lyrics u shld be convinced and really wanting to write something, so just wait for that feeling to sink in...

POSTED: 02/11/2007 - 07:01 am / quote |
Artunas :
Nice lesson and they're very useful tipps.

Alvi wrote:

nice lesson there, and i think it would definatly help people strugglin to write lyrics of their own. But here is another tip: if u r in a middle of writin/composing a song, try your best not to listen to a certain track or artist alot since it will start effectin ur own composition, specially if u have just stepped into song makin stuff. Another thing, as Rock N Roll indicated, lyrics do usually come out naturally...they just come to your head. For me they are mostly accompanied with entire melody and they start rollin over like a complete song in ur head. that time comes soon too so no worries, just take as much as u can from this lesson and soon u will be havin no problem in sittin and writing ur own song
ps: one MAJOR thing: dont FORCE urself to write lyrics...if u aint in the mood, forget it. To write lyrics u shld be convinced and really wanting to write something, so just wait for that feeling to sink in...


Yeah, I think too, that you can't force yourself to write your lyrics, but may be you may have an idea how to start writing. You cant just wirte anything thay comes into your mind, that won't really touch anyone.
But this lesson is very nice.

POSTED: 02/13/2007 - 03:35 pm / quote |
Thrasher720 :
Awsome lessons dude.
POSTED: 02/23/2007 - 11:18 pm / quote |
smartfella90 :
it is awesome gangsta
POSTED: 03/12/2007 - 03:34 pm / quote |
BuCkFuTT :
sweet tips
POSTED: 03/13/2007 - 11:47 pm / quote |
joahnes :
its cool... what i going to do.../?just smile...hehehe....
thanks for your lessos...

POSTED: 03/22/2007 - 02:28 am / quote |
Edlebrock350 :
Thanks...this lesson was really good. I can see how it can be helpful too.But for some reason, i cant seem to either think of a main idea, or dont know how to put it into words...i mean, i am in a choir so finding melody isn't hard for me...thats usually what i do first. I just cant seem to go any farther than that
POSTED: 04/03/2007 - 06:39 pm / quote |
robsterrocks_11 :
hey great article, I've written a few songs and with your help, I'm starting to get one of them together! The website - rhymezone.com was very handy for rhymes and some of your points got me thinking on how to get the best out of the song thanks!
POSTED: 04/09/2007 - 03:23 pm / quote |
robsterrocks_11 :
Artunas wrote:

Nice lesson and they're very useful tipps.

Alvi wrote:

nice lesson there, and i think it would definatly help people strugglin to write lyrics of their own. But here is another tip: if u r in a middle of writin/composing a song, try your best not to listen to a certain track or artist alot since it will start effectin ur own composition, specially if u have just stepped into song makin stuff. Another thing, as Rock N Roll indicated, lyrics do usually come out naturally...they just come to your head. For me they are mostly accompanied with entire melody and they start rollin over like a complete song in ur head. that time comes soon too so no worries, just take as much as u can from this lesson and soon u will be havin no problem in sittin and writing ur own song
ps: one MAJOR thing: dont FORCE urself to write lyrics...if u aint in the mood, forget it. To write lyrics u shld be convinced and really wanting to write something, so just wait for that feeling to sink in...


Yeah, I think too, that you can't force yourself to write your lyrics, but may be you may have an idea how to start writing. You cant just wirte anything thay comes into your mind, that won't really touch anyone.
But this lesson is very nice.


yeah, I agree, I write songs mostly when I'm upset or angry. I was riding my bicycle last summer round my road and some words just came to me! I rushed right back home to write the lines down before I forgot them :P

POSTED: 04/09/2007 - 03:26 pm / quote |
otto21 :
yeah this was good it really helped me out
POSTED: 04/16/2007 - 10:05 pm / quote |
LilGil :
awesome. i was looking for some help
POSTED: 04/21/2007 - 03:49 pm / quote |
guitarcrazy1231 :
This is Great!!!
I suck at writing songs but maybe this will help

POSTED: 04/25/2007 - 04:05 pm / quote |
Alex Growllin :
Wow this formula helps!!
My problems are getting ideas...

POSTED: 04/30/2007 - 08:26 am / quote |
jebus07 :
nice.
POSTED: 05/10/2007 - 05:01 am / quote |
trucky5 :
Dude, this helped a lot!!! My friends and I have been tryin to start a band, and I had writers block. Thnx!!!
POSTED: 05/10/2007 - 04:30 pm / quote |
gilmour-page :
sweet, thanks
POSTED: 06/19/2007 - 11:11 am / quote |
sitek :
personally, i think that writing music is easier than writing lyrics. maybe thats because ive been writing music longer than i have lyrics but who knows. this is a good article because its all broken down into steps. it really helped me. but my advice to anyone interested in writing songs...always have a notepad or memo pad on you. ive been hit with lyric ideas everywhere...in the car, in the john, in church, you name it. just always be ready to jot somethin down
POSTED: 07/05/2007 - 08:03 pm / quote |
Switchfoot555 :
This is really helpful to me because I couldn't write anything before this.To bad lots of popular bands lik Led Zeplin and AC/DC wrote with demon posesion.
POSTED: 07/05/2007 - 08:51 pm / quote |
grayelbows :
well im mostly a guitarist not a song writer so i usually think of the music first which makes it hard to write the words so this helped me alot ty!
POSTED: 07/07/2007 - 05:58 pm / quote |
ishimarumatihir :
that sounds really good and since i'm the rythem guitarist and singer for our band thats some really good advice
POSTED: 07/12/2007 - 11:55 am / quote |
guitarfreakreeg :
Wow, you don't know how much this helps. The main reason me and my band never get any songs is because we never get around to making some good lyrics. This should help alot, however my main problem with lyric writing is just getting up and doing it
POSTED: 07/25/2007 - 08:49 pm / quote |
billytalentROKS :
this is an awesome article. awesome job man
POSTED: 08/02/2007 - 09:33 pm / quote |
insight1234 :
Great! I like the whole thing about first finding out what your song should be about! I have made too many meaningless and half songs! ^^'
10/10, because you simply got almost everything you need to write a good or at least decent song! Rhymzone will probably help me too!

POSTED: 08/14/2007 - 07:54 pm / quote |
SpeeQ :
Very good article!
POSTED: 08/15/2007 - 05:36 am / quote |
Dnalrafcmb3 :
heck yeah

POSTED: 08/21/2007 - 09:37 am / quote |
outlaw213 :
Hey thanks this helped me alot. nice job
POSTED: 08/22/2007 - 02:43 am / quote |
MXFNCK :
nice man, helpful
POSTED: 08/25/2007 - 09:01 pm / quote |
jetrix214 :
do you know man i strugle so much in writing a song!!!! THank You
POSTED: 09/13/2007 - 03:46 am / quote |
xdolmayan :
My lyrics could always use some improving.
POSTED: 09/22/2007 - 11:28 pm / quote |
metallica119 :
cool great help thnx!!!
POSTED: 09/23/2007 - 12:43 am / quote |
sxy6helena :
Good article!
POSTED: 10/17/2007 - 07:09 pm / quote |
Closure777 :
decent artical except i REALLY disagree with the order of; the "steps." i mean depending on your style, they should come different but comeon. you had every line planned out before you did ANYTHING with the music! ANYTHING! like, okay pop songs typically start with vocal melody, then lyrics/music and everything. alot of bands just come up with melody as the lyrics are being written [though i think melody should be considered before a word is written]. but seriously, ya gotta have something melody related before the lyrics. and the rhyme...rhyme is VERY important. they dont always have to ryhem everywhere, but you HAVE to have some ryheme in basic verse/chorus places. somewhere in the line, not always at the end. besides, a good ryheme gives your song inpirateion. heres how i would "order" everything. 1)riffs 2)vocal melody/other instraments 3)main idea 4)chorus 5)edit chorus 6)verse 7)edit verse 8)bridge. you get the idea. and the edting, ussually after i get my melody i start singing random lines that pop into my head, so i use those and build off the basic rythem i got from them. which ussually wont fit with the music, so then i shave down the lyrics, then i edit the music to fit in lines sometimes. whatever works. =D
POSTED: 10/20/2007 - 06:30 pm / quote |
Quinney182 :
twas very good. its helped me a lot. cheers
POSTED: 10/25/2007 - 12:12 pm / quote |
LJNN :
wow this helpme to write a song in seconds thnks
POSTED: 10/28/2007 - 04:03 pm / quote |
dragon88 :
tones of help I'v bin doing wothing like that but to hear it in steps it realy helps me understand wy i have writrs block sometimes
POSTED: 10/29/2007 - 04:27 pm / quote |
CLeprechaun :
Well,I learned a lot.I always have troubles with my songs.At the time I write them,I think they're awesome and then I'll look back a while later and think it's bad.
And thanks for the rhyme website.I really needed that.

POSTED: 11/01/2007 - 08:36 am / quote |
nativedweller :
Cheers dude, this helps :o)
POSTED: 11/08/2007 - 08:56 am / quote |
Thrasher720 :
The lyrics don't have to rhyme. Sometimes the tone of the singers voice can make up for that.
POSTED: 11/11/2007 - 06:03 pm / quote |
sublime_lova :
i dig the lesson seemd like it will help
POSTED: 11/18/2007 - 02:21 am / quote |
XxPunkMafiaxX :
guitarkid2113 wrote:

You kow what i thinnk works best, lol when im about to go to sleep ill think of something and write it down and think about it. Then in the morning illl make a riff or something with it and build off of that, but i like this lesson cuz it helped with the chorus birdge and all that good stuff. Thanks a lot.

yea i do that, but im often too tired at night and it sounds good at the time. but i'll look at it in the morning and think....wat the ****? thats crap

POSTED: 11/24/2007 - 05:35 pm / quote |
Letlev :
This was really helpful, I bookmarked it for help later . Thank you
POSTED: 11/27/2007 - 10:36 am / quote |
derickson690 :
Thanks I have a song of allready written out without lyrics so hopefully this will help with the words.

Thx

POSTED: 11/29/2007 - 09:50 pm / quote |
Con 91 :
Some good points made
POSTED: 12/04/2007 - 05:26 pm / quote |
Jerm_bs :
Very good article, I didin't understand the bridge very well(what it is about, etc)
POSTED: 12/21/2007 - 01:05 pm / quote |
Fezetone_9 :
Thanks Alot! Now I can not only get lyrics down but I also have alot of cool riff idea's for a song.
-Thanx

POSTED: 12/23/2007 - 02:06 am / quote |
amazingdom :
There are plenty of songs without a chorus. Check out the Kings of Convience
POSTED: 12/25/2007 - 03:16 pm / quote |