The lyric writing side of songwriting
is known to create an enormous number
of problems for some folks. No matter
how hard they try, they are unable to
write a single line that they can be pleased
with.
In many cases these very same people
make phenomenal advancements in writing
music and melodies. However they just
can't seem to figure out how to come up
with suitable lyrics to match them.
If you are facing such a situation, there's
probably no need to worry. By taking certain
appropriate steps you should be able to
overcome lyric writing hurdles and write
songs that deliver.
(1) Here are some essential ideas for
overcoming these hurdles.
1. Collaboration
If you're very good at writing melodies
but can't seem to write a single line,
one solution might be collaboration. Instead
of beating your head against the wall
for ideas, find someone who is very good
at writing lyrics and work together. You
may be surprised at the wonders that can
emanate from a combination of his excellence
at writing lyrics and your brilliance
at writing melodies.
2. Lyric writing tools
Perhaps you may be hoping for some other
solution. While you don't mind the idea
of collaboration, you want to allow yourself
to get better at writing lyrics, instead
of leaving it to someone else.
As far as I'm concerned, the importance
of laying hold on good songwriting "tools"
should never be underestimated. Educate
yourself as much as you can. Make use
of songwriting books, programs, courses,
software, articles or whatever valuable
resources that you have at your disposal.
3. Motivation
You've probably heard it said a thousand
times ... Without motivation, you won't
go very far. This also applies to your
lyric writing. While the songwriting "tools"
outlined above can help you improve, without
adequate motivation failure is inevitable.
(2) Here are a few tips to help you generate
lyric writing ideas.
1. Use different lyrics to bring the
same message across.
Choose a theme which is known to have
made a few hits. What message does this
theme bring across? Write different lyrics
that bring the same message across. A
typical example of this is John Denver's
"I'm Leaving on a Jetplane" and Wyclef
Jean's "Gone till November". These songs
made hits in different eras. Their basic
message was similar ... Baby, you don't
need to cry because I'll return.
2. Add a unique twist to a cliche.
Turn on your radio and you will hear
cliches being repeated over and over.
Using these very same cliches is simply
a futile exercise. My suggestion is to
add a unique twist to these cliches. This
is something I am focusing on more and
more.
A typical example of adding a unique
twist to a cliche is found in Dianne Warren's
"Unbreak my Heart" made popular by Toni
Braxton. The ever popular cliche, "break
my heart", was twisted.
(3) Here are three lyric writing suggestions.
1. Write a song about a particular incident.
Your song should tell a story.
2. Write lyrics that have absolutely
nothing to do with anything you've actually
experienced.
3. Get lyric writing ideas from newspapers,
magazines, movies, TV and so on.
Overcoming lyric writing hurdles involves
a lot of determination, hard work and
perseverance on your part. Implement the
suggestions presented above and move one
step closer to lyric writing success.
This article was posted on December
18, 2003
