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.
About The Author
Mantius Cazaubon offers lots of valuable songwriting tips, techniques, suggestions and advice on his site http://www.ultimatesongwriting.com. Visit http://www.ultimatesongwriting.com for the ultimate truth about lyric writing and songwriting.
mantius@ultimatesongwriting.com
Change is good. Just ask the millions of unsigned artists... Read More
Three battles at the end of the 8 Mile movie... Read More
U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of... Read More
"Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, you learn... Read More
Frustrated in a gridlocked?Job got you stressed out?The children have... Read More
Piano lessons are a great activity for children. They encourage... Read More
There are a lot of factors to writing a hit... Read More
"I don't like to go into the studio with all... Read More
Do you ever feel there is an inner voice speaking... Read More
We all know that music can be inspiring, entertaining, and... Read More
"How do I buy a violin, (or fiddle)?"That question has... Read More
Eric Clapton performs his slow-handed magic on his. Even with... Read More
Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet... Read More
Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a... Read More
(1) The BMG Music Service offers the best deal you'll... Read More
Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More
There are 88 keys on the piano keyboard. Most pianists... Read More
Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in... Read More
It has become increasingly popular for U.S. military veterans and... Read More
Out of the 250 million people in the United States,... Read More
Many piano students spend much time learning how to play... Read More
Learning how to improvise is confusing for most. The sheer... Read More
The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More
Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More
July 6, 1973 Birmingham EnglandSteven: Has it been difficult for... Read More
"The difference between success and failure is information," notes Ritch... Read More
CORRECT PRACTICE IS INDISPENSABLE!Your success or failure at the keyboard... Read More
It's really not your fault. You see, you've been taught... Read More
I have always had a big problem with my addiction... Read More
If you've been playing piano for some time, you may... Read More
If you are outraged by the prices software giants demand... Read More
As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did... Read More
How many chords do you need to create a piece... Read More
While it probably doesn't seem like this would help -... Read More
Chord symbols (for example, Fm7, Cmaj7 or G6) are a... Read More
Britney Spears was born December 2 1981 as Britney Jean... Read More
I have always had a big problem with my addiction... Read More
Just because you're holding your guitar doesn't mean that you're... Read More
Admit it... you were expecting a magic answer to this... Read More
Are you confused by the various types of music file... Read More
The portable MP3 player continues to be the hot item... Read More
You've got your recording (or songwriting) contract in hand and... Read More
Ideally each page of your website should serve a specific... Read More
Do you know what a didgeridoo is? There are so... Read More
Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More
Performance anxiety is not something that only happens to musicians,... Read More
I was 17 at the time (the Beatles era), and... Read More
Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a... Read More
Three times in the last month I've been asked the... Read More
It may surprise many to find that the hobby of... Read More
Yowza! Did you hear that hideous noise? It sounded like... Read More
Throughout the past few years downloading music on the internet... Read More
Way back in November I found myself at the Casby... Read More
Sometimes the teacher learns more from the student than the... Read More
In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More
Your first drum set purchase is very exciting! You have... Read More
As you probably know, there are thousands and thousands of... Read More
One of the rules of practicing we all hear over... Read More
Stuck in a music rut?It happens. After listening to your... Read More
This article is designed to help anyone to enjoy karaoke... Read More
Piano lessons provide a wide range of benefits to young... Read More
The idea of actually creating a complete piece of music... Read More
If you're a digital music fan, you probably have problems... Read More
A student wrote me an email about the lesson "Ocean... Read More
IntroductionThe fact that you are holding this in your hands... Read More
Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some... Read More
Music & MP3 |