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#217217 by Firebird78
Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:10 pm
I was just curious if most bands that play their own original songs mostly write their own lyrics. I am guessing that most do, but was interested to hear if there are sometimes sources outside the band, and how often.

#217218 by jimmydanger
Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:38 pm
Good songs have good lyrics. It helps if someone in the band can write lyrics but it's not a prerequisite; King Crimson and Procol Harum both had on-staff lyricists. At one time the lyrics were the central part of the song, but that has diminished over time. It is difficult to understand many modern rock vocalists so what they're singing has little meaning. But if you are serious about writing, get serious about reading. Read other people's lyrics, read books, even the newspaper for lyrical inspiration. The first lyrics I ever wrote were inspired after seeing The Rev. Tutu debate the prime minister of South Africa on Nightline back in 1984.

#217219 by gbheil
Sun Jun 23, 2013 5:36 pm
We have a very few songs that originated from an "outside source".
% 99.99 of our material was authored / co authored entirely by band members. though some of it was done prior to joining.
For instance the JERICHO MARCH song OH SWEET was a poem written by our bassist in contemplation of the joys of fatherhood.
I believe he penned the original poetic thoughts over thirty years ago and the band NOISY KUNG FU was the vehicle that allowed it's conversion into a song.

#217220 by Joewillplay
Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:25 pm
My first attempt at writing flowed for me because I went back and relived what I was trying to put into song form.My songs are pretty simple and not very deep in thought.Outside sources I think could be ok.I think Jimmy is right on with his comment about reading.There is a lot of inspiration in them there books.George Harrison,when he was putting together material for the Traveling Wilburys,gave everyone a magazine and came up with some lyrics for one of the songs.

#217224 by MikeTalbot
Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:55 pm
I often write lyrics from the perspective of 'someone else.' The characters in my songs write from their perspective - not mine.

My ex had a real problem with that since you reckoned it was what I thought.

Where do lyrics come from? Don't know. But when they come you better write 'em down quick - they don't hang around long.

Talbot

#217242 by gbheil
Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:00 am
Joewillplay wrote:My first attempt at writing flowed for me because I went back and relived what I was trying to put into song form.My songs are pretty simple and not very deep in thought.Outside sources I think could be ok.I think Jimmy is right on with his comment about reading.There is a lot of inspiration in them there books.George Harrison,when he was putting together material for the Traveling Wilburys,gave everyone a magazine and came up with some lyrics for one of the songs.


I was never able to write.
Only to "scribe" what inspiration offers me on the spur.
And as Mr Talbot so deftly alludes.
You'd better record the inspiration on the spot or POOF

A lumber receipt from the floorboard or a Sonic sack . . .
He whom hesitates has lost it. :?

#217243 by ANGELSSHOTGUN
Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:20 am
LYRICS are so overrated... I got 2 stupid songs posted that don't mean squat.

If you want to get into serious music... :lol:

#217254 by fisherman bob
Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:36 am
100% of the originals we do are written by US. Sometimes I think of the music first, then the lyrics, sometimes the opposite. And I agree, if you got some ideas for lyrics write them down immediately. As far as inspiration, it could be anything. A friend going to jail, a book, a movie, your wife nagging you, anything. It's perfectly okay to get a lyricist if you can't think of any. Lyrics DO mean something to SOME people, nothing to others. I cannot stand anybody censoring my lyrics, they can be a bit edgy. I get angry and swear sometimes, big deal. The lyrics aren't over the top I don't believe. Maybe you can get some inspiration for a song from this!:
www.levitynews.com
I write the majority of the nonsense on this website. If you get some ideas from it and make millions off your next CD at least give me credit on the liner notes!
#217258 by Jahva
Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:08 pm
Firebird78 wrote:I was just curious if most bands that play their own original songs mostly write their own lyrics. I am guessing that most do, but was interested to hear if there are sometimes sources outside the band, and how often.


Been a long time since I was in a band but my .02... Most bands usually have a main writer or two but that's not to say others can't or don't contribute. I don't think it matters where the lines come from as long as they work and credit is given to the contributors. Even if it's just a line or two. Give em credit. Also think it's healthy to try and get other members of the band involved... have sit downs and brainstorm ideas. I would try to keep it within the band before I seek outside help unless you already have someone close that you work with.

One of my favorite bands is The Eagles. Through the years they had many contributors to their songs including some good friends like Jackson Browne and J. D. Souther. But the members of the band all contributed to their sound and lyrics. For what it's worth that's the ideal band to me.
Good luck to you.

#217260 by jw123
Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:42 pm
Joe if you are starting to write songs then you have to practice the craft.

I dont write as much as I used too, but I would often write stuff that really wasnt that good in my opinion, but i would just soldier thru it, the more you do something the easier it gets.

I think in most "rock" groups the bands tend to write their own lyrics, unless they get huge and need some help. Now if you go into the country music side of things, its more common for artist to pick songs from song writers instead of writing thier own.

Writing is a craft in itself, something you have to really practice to get comfortable doing.

#217284 by MikeTalbot
Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:05 pm
Also - very important - keep a 'spare lyrics' file, folder or notebook. Sometimes you write a good snippet and can't develop it into a song today - but tomorrow you might need it.

Talbot

#217291 by gbheil
Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:06 pm
MikeTalbot wrote:Also - very important - keep a 'spare lyrics' file, folder or notebook. Sometimes you write a good snippet and can't develop it into a song today - but tomorrow you might need it.

Talbot



Has happened spontaneously twice I can remember.

Most striking example were the lyrics to UNDER THE SPOUT .
They were laying around in the song scrap bin. One night, when the rhythm group just went into a little three cord jam, Ray had a light bulb. He dug around in his notebook and the next thing we know he's belting out these lyrics to our jam. After a hardy laugh we went to work fleshing out the format, and by nights end we had another song ready to go.
Sessions like that are hard to beat for creative satisfaction.

#217299 by fisherman bob
Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:09 pm
sanshouheil wrote:
MikeTalbot wrote:Also - very important - keep a 'spare lyrics' file, folder or notebook. Sometimes you write a good snippet and can't develop it into a song today - but tomorrow you might need it.

Talbot



Has happened spontaneously twice I can remember.

Most striking example were the lyrics to UNDER THE SPOUT .
They were laying around in the song scrap bin. One night, when the rhythm group just went into a little three cord jam, Ray had a light bulb. He dug around in his notebook and the next thing we know he's belting out these lyrics to our jam. After a hardy laugh we went to work fleshing out the format, and by nights end we had another song ready to go.
Sessions like that are hard to beat for creative satisfaction.

Stuff like this only happens when bands STICK TOGETHER. Chemistry is EARNED. It doesn't happen by accident.

#217303 by Firebird78
Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:09 pm
Thanks for the comments. I suspected a high percentage of bands that do original songs would most likely be writing their own lyrics. I could see where some bands that have done only cover songs might need some input if they decide to try some original songs, and nobody has really written lyrics.

I have been writing lyrics for about 7 years, and have just started getting my feet wet in making songs from them. I have a new appreciation for musicians!! I also think the more a lyricist gets into the “song side”, the better they get at writing the words. Singing the words is much different than just reading them because the “sound” of the words (and “singability”) comes into play as much as the meaning, and the overall “smoothness” and flow gets better when you see this.

jimmydanger - Interesting about the “on staff lyricists” LOL. (There’s my dream job with some multimillion dollar band!)..........and joe – interesting about George Harrison and the magazines.

MikeTalbot - “Perspective” is interesting, and I know just what you mean. It’s hard to write about certain desires and not have the signif other thinking you have visions of someone else!! I hope that’s not why she’s your ex! I guess there are some advantages to writing lyrics when single.

Speaking of “write it down or lose it”; I can relate to that. I always seem to get ideas when out for a run, or in bed, so sometimes they are just lost. I used to carry a pocket notebook, and that would help, except for the cases I mentioned.

GLENNY J – I agree, in many cases, that lyrics are very overrated. This is a huge topic. When lyrics are read outside of a song, there are often unnecessary expectations put on them. Some people begin to view them more as a poem, but a poem has no music and must “do more” than a song lyric that HAS music. To me, a lyric should “fit” the music well and be “neutral” or sound good enough to be an asset to the song, but should not be a liability. I have heard songs where I thought the music was really good, and even the vocals, but the words actually made me not like the song as a whole, but that’s just me. I like to write something interesting, where each person’s imagination can be used to interpret their own meaning.

This is all my opinion. I feel that this music stuff is so much about taste and preference, but people will argue about “better” and “worse”, and it’s a lot like arguing over your favorite color or food. There is no “right” and “wrong” about what sounds good to a person. (Not that technical things can’t be wrong with a song or lyric.)

fisherman bob - I agree 100% about lyrics meaning something to some and nothing to others. This is also a huge subject of personal preference. And add to that, whether you can understand the actual words in the song. I can like a song very much without even being able to make out very well what the words are, but I like the sound of them. But some people want to understand every word sung, and claim there is no point to words if you can’t understand them. It’s their viewpoint.

Now that I have done a little bit with music, I can relate to you saying sometimes lyrics first, and sometimes music first. You can always write music to fit words you already have, but the music may sometimes be constrained. And then I can envision coming up with some great sounding guitar riff, and wanting to fit words to that. It may be more of a lyrical challenge, but the music is not constrained.

Then there is the “meaning” of the words. Some people want a “story” that you can completely understand, and want to know who did what, and why, etc., and others don’t require this, and are OK with cryptic, abstract, metaphoric, etc. lyrics. To me, it seems quite a bit dependent on genre. For something like a folk song, country?, pop?, the words may play a more significant role and need to be understood better than another genre (heavier rock, maybe) where the music might overpower the vocals more.

Jahva – Good thoughts – I agree.

Great band stories!!

#217329 by MikeTalbot
Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:02 am
I for one, do NOT think lyrics are over-rated. I almost (note - almost) always start with lyrics. The words dictate the music to me and it's so very easy to get it done. Initially.

You spend the rest of your life editing it and making it a little bit better...

One of my least memorable examples is my zombie song. My boss made a comment one day that inspired this song: "You guys all reckon you'll be the hero in a zombie apocalypse - you'll just be staggering along with all the other zombies!"

Hence:

The Remnants

Objective perspective
They lived here a while.
They liked to dance and sing.
Trouble came their way and,
Now they’re gone…
Ain’t that a thing!

Human survivor perspective
Who were they? Who are they now?
They are what they are and it don’t matter anyhow…
Not many left. Spare any that seem to have a clue…
Not that it will make much, difference, but fighting’s what we do!

zombie perspective
Droolin'
Always droolin’
You really called it wrong, no foolin’

You always followed
You never lead
And now you shamble mindlessly along, because you’re dead!

You’re a zombie now
Eatin’ brains is what you do.
All your artistic pretensions are subsumed
Your most atavistic desires are now exhumed

You’re a zombie now!
You’re a zombie now!

Talbot

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