Songs you write about

[Grandslam15]

What are the majority of the songs you write about?

I write alot of songs about life in general, and to my girlfriend....good things of course lol.

[Razbo]

Back when I had angst I wrote about girls, love, loss, death, and futility.

[Itsmesilly]

I havent written in a long time...ive done some stuff recently but not songs...more poetry

but when I did it was usally a way for me to get out a lot of the emotions I had canned up....they were all pretty depressing...lolol
kinda glad that period of life is over...

[Razbo]

See, that was just your angst showing.

[DockStone]

Love and Depression or is it Depression mostly? I'm not sure.

Here's a sample. The lyrics aren't great but they fit the notes and phrasing.

This morning
I couldn't think
because of

You ... (chorus)

A quiet day
It was before
I realized

You... (chorus)

were the light
of that day

and
of the sun
and
of the moon

And of my soul ...

You (chorus)

You (chorus)

You--ooo-ooooooo (chorus)

Brief bass guitar interlude, etc. (return to pathetic whining)

Lame, I know, but I guess it's about losing love, which leads to depression and to songs like this one which will never make the charts.

[Razbo]

You could go Country...? :D

[JeffS65]

Egad, I had some of the dumbest lyrics ever. Trying to write the coolest hair band song ever makes for really stupid lyrics. Fortunately, that was long ago and no memory of them now. Not hair band-ish but I remember only one verse of something:

Song of a madman
Don't cry for the fool
Of Queens and Kings
With no one left to rule
Don't blame the Prophet
For he know not what he sees
And the laugh of the Jester
As it echos through the trees

To be a fool for evermore


...Something like that. Kinda rock/corny, I think.

[DockStone]

JeffS65, your lyrics sound a bit like political poetry to me. I was thinking of a title like "Future America" for them. That part about "no one left to rule" would come about after America's elected reps completely screwed up! Hah. We'll never see that day. Too many people are all too willing to accept the status quo rather than challenge it.

The sample I wrote above could only be salvaged by some good music to accompany it. I mean there's a lot of songs with really simple or hardly any lyrics to them but are enjoyable to listen to nonetheless. Sometimes all you remember from a song is just a phrase or two anyway.

Not trying to excuse myself ... but ...

This morning I had a song going that was something like "it's a rain game, it's a same game, it's a lame game." Not much verbally but I could hear some nice guitar bits in my head to accompany it.

IMO, I think songwriting can be anything and someone will like it. But let's face it, if you write a love song, people do tend to focus on the lyrics. So I don't think you can afford to have really dumb lyrics there.

And love songs are supposed to stimulate people, not put them to sleep. So there should probably be a relatively upbeat tempo to them.

Excuse me, I'm just thinking out loud.

[JeffS65]

You're right, I think it was a masked political statement. I had written out a whole song for it but that's all I remember. It's been, like 20 years so the rest is gone.

I think you're point about lyrics otherwise is true. Actually, in your 'game' example they might seem like silly or overly simplistic lyrics but the context matters too. For that matter, if they sound cool when being sung within a song even if they mean nothing, so be it. I think lyricists sometimes get too tied up in meaning and not just the roll of how it sounds. Joe Elliot of Def Leppard I recall saying he wrote 'deep and meaningless' lyrics. But that he focused on how they sounded when sung. I think there is a point to that.

Sometimes I get frustrated when lyrics are too literal. Country is guilty of that. I think country can possibly use a lesson in abstraction. I'd rather they paint a picture in my head that give me a blow by blow account of the story being told.

[Itsmesilly]

on another board I belong to a friend and I would have these writing challenges....granted it was poetry and not song writing but it was writing no the less.One would pick a topic and then we would have to write something about it...
a few other people jumped in on it and it was pretty cool in the end to see how a handful of people perceived the subject and what they came up with...

[Razbo]

on another board I belong to a friend and I would have these writing challenges....granted it was poetry and not song writing but it was writing no the less.One would pick a topic and then we would have to write something about it...
a few other people jumped in on it and it was pretty cool in the end to see how a handful of people perceived the subject and what they came up with...

That's interesting. Want to try? It might be fun!

[Itsmesilly]

I would be willing to try. I think it would definitly be fun..and a learning experience for me. My writing background is more in poetry but I would be willing to try to see if i can come up with a song!
You want to pick the subject?

[Razbo]

Alright. How about "Ageing"?

I clicked this Random Word Generator a few times using "Adjective" and "Common" for parameters until something that made sense as a topic came up.

http://watchout4snakes.com/creativitytools/RandomWord/RandomWordPlus.aspx

I guess our exercise would be open to all who were interested. Should we set a deadline or just 'whenever'?

[Itsmesilly]

cool...ageing works for me
Im good with anything...time wise that is
might take me longer than you/others as I said I am more familiar in writing poetry and will need to work on translating into lyrics for a song....
would be cool if some others wanted to join in...
anyone ?????

[JeffS65]

cool...ageing works for me
Im good with anything...time wise that is
might take me longer than you/others as I said I am more familiar in writing poetry and will need to work on translating into lyrics for a song....
would be cool if some others wanted to join in...
anyone ?????

I'm game.

Ok, I'll start: "If I could save time in a bottle..."

Erm, sounds very familiar...Hmmmm, I may have to try again.

[Itsmesilly]

LOLOLOL
yeah first thing that came to mind was
"its not time to make a change, just relax take it easy" good ol cat stevens
I mean jusef islam

[Razbo]

Two very awesome songs. I was in my 20's the last time I wrote anything, so don't expect much. Maybe this'll get me going again.

...I was thinking, maybe we should only bring our "B" game. If one of us heard our stuff on the radio next year, we'd be pi$$ed! :D

[Itsmesilly]

lolol....I was thinking about that too
so you mean just do some free writing? that what you mean by B game? not to post a whole song here so someone anywhere out there doesnt rip it off?

[JeffS65]

I say 'A' game only...If someone stole it, the board is a legal permanent record and user records could be subpoena'd in a suit..See, wasn't that easy ;)

..that and I don't know that I have an A game so what do I have to worry about...

BTW, did you see Cat/Jusef on the Chris Isaak show? Much more engaged and revealing that I would have imagined.

[Itsmesilly]

I saw him on a few shows actually...he was on the Jimmy Fallon show...and it was so great to hear him playing. I would love to see him but as far as I know he has no intentions on touring.
Did you ever see the movie Harold and Maude? The whole soundtrack is by Cat stevens...great movie...great soundtrack!

[Razbo]

I say 'A' game only...If someone stole it, the board is a legal permanent record and user records could be subpoena'd in a suit..See, wasn't that easy ;)

I don't think I have more than one game anyway, so whatever it is I call it the A game. :) I was reading a discussion you were having regarding copywrites. It was insightful. I wonder of the old method of recording it, then mailing it to yourself thing is effective?

As far as our exercise, I am overcoming a 20 year writer's block plus I am really focused on finishing my guitar right now (so close!!), so it might yet be a day or two for me to scratch out somehting coherent. I've got a verse & maybe a chorus so far. The hardest thing so far was deciding on the "tone" of the lyrics.

[Itsmesilly]

I have some ideas..a few actually....havent gotten to paper yet. I might try to get down to the beach today. I live a mile from the long island sound and I love to just sit by the water and play...so I will work on the lyrics too.

as for tone...one thing Ive never done is join words with music....this should be a big deal for me...but first I am going to worry about getting some lyrics out of my head....then work on some sound.

[Razbo]

as for tone...one thing Ive never done is join words with music....this should be a big deal for me...but first I am going to worry about getting some lyrics out of my head....then work on some sound.

I meant I was trying to figure if I was going for dark & depressing, anecdotal, something upbeat, or what. For myself, I need to have the music before the words. Even if it's not the music that will be used, I need that mental music to help set the "tone" the story will be told int.

Nice to sit on the beach, I envy you! I have to drive half an hour to get to one and it would still be pretty chilly for lounging.

[JeffS65]

I meant I was trying to figure if I was going for dark & depressing, anecdotal, something upbeat, or what. For myself, I need to have the music before the words. Even if it's not the music that will be used, I need that mental music to help set the "tone" the story will be told int.

Nice to sit on the beach, I envy you! I have to drive half an hour to get to one and it would still be pretty chilly for lounging.


I live a block from a cornfield waaaaayyyy on the outskirts of Chicagoland..So you can both zip it!


;)

[Itsmesilly]

LOLOL....well if you guys ever come out to Long Island NY....gimme a hollar and we can go jam on the beach!!! It is pretty peaceful.....

[DockStone]

I tried to write a song about "aging" last night but the lyrics were mostly gibberish. It's hard getting words to line up with the melodies, etc. I guess my piece was kinda bluesy. Don't know if it's really worth pursuing.

Actually, there are no bad songs. Just put them on your album as filler. Or if you become famous or are famous, people'll bootleg 'em or they'll eventually be issued as "previously unreleased" material. So you really can't lose.

But first ya gotta hit the Big Time!

[Razbo]

I tried to write a song about "aging" last night but the lyrics were mostly gibberish. It's hard getting words to line up with the melodies, etc. I guess my piece was kinda bluesy. Don't know if it's really worth pursuing.

Actually, there are no bad songs. Just put them on your album as filler. Or if you become famous or are famous, people'll bootleg 'em or they'll eventually be issued as "previously unreleased" material. So you really can't lose.

But first ya gotta hit the Big Time!

I have a folder full of "previously unreleased". If I ever make the big time I'm all set :)

I confess I have let this fall by the wayside. I have a first draft down, but never seem to get back to it.

[Lauen Bateman]

What are the majority of the songs you write about?

I write alot of songs about life in general, and to my girlfriend....good things of course lol.


Same here Grandslam. I mostly write about things happeneing in my life. Most of my songs are about my relationships but every once in a while I'll write about something different. My aunt passed away from Pancreatic cancer in April and I wrote a song for her birthday before she passed called "Guardian Angel" that was about how no one is going to forget her and that everyone is going to be OK.

Chours:

I know no matter where I go
I'll take you with me
I know no matter where I go
You're watching over me
The Holy Ghost and the angel host
Will make you feel well
And you can be my guardian angel

You can actually take a listen to it on my myspace page if you want myspace.com/laurenbatemanmusic

[Ed Jalowiecki]

Most of the songs I've written tend to be in the broken heart/failed relationship category. Never had much success writing happy songs. Maybe when I'm happy I don't feel as inspired?

Sometimes I need to get creative to come up with different themes. I wrote a song about my drummer in a previous band once, and that allowed me to explore different ideas because it was less focused on my perspective. Imagining that you're someone else - that has spurred a lot of cool songs actually.

[guild56]

I guess I write about a little of everything. Surely, it is shaped by emotion, but many times I write based on something I heard. The song itself does not necessarily reflect personal experience (such as this one, "Harley Girl (http://dailysteps.blogspot.com/2008/07/harley-girl.html) ), although the emotions are ones I have felt before (e.g., "am I good enough?").

Sometimes I start writing to accomplish a technical goal. For example, I might want to try writing a simple ballad in Spanish.... (dulce suneo (http://dailysteps.blogspot.com/2008/11/un-dulce-sueo.html) or this one (http://dailysteps.blogspot.com/2008/11/mi-alma-no-da-razon.html)

I'm curios to know if ya'll write lyrics with or without guitar in hand? In other words, do you start with a tune or progression? or with words sans music? or dynamically build them together? That makes for a good poll to take! :) (http://dailysteps.blogspot.com/)

[Douglas Showalter]

I was writing songs long before I ever learned how to play any. I simply loved to write and be creative. As I got older, I found that lyrically I was able to channel my emotions and thoughts much easier through music than anything else.

I tend to write more about things that I am not so comfortable talking about. I find that you can never lie through a song and your lyrics will always come out much more honestly than you realize. Songs are audio snapshots of your life and it is important when writing lyrics you really express things in the most honest way and you open yourself up to that. I always find that I write much better than I speak, oddly.

Being a guitar player, I tend to start ideas on the guitar. There are times where I will encounter a situation in my life that I want to write about; and usually I have some guitar lick in my vocabulary that I can use with that. I tend to write the music first always. I than shape the lyrics and phrases around that. Something that always helps is to record your music first, and than practice singing and lyrics over it. That way you aren't burdened by trying to play in that moment, and you can focus on singing and writing. Than piece it all together in the end. Just remember to not get to crazy and write things you can't play and sing at the same time (I used to be very guilty of this.)

Follow your heart and the songs will come. Just never let a moment of inspiration pass.

[GutShotSlim009]

I've been strong but lonely
i've become a has been
hasn't been enough for me
to feel like i'm living yet.
wasted years just thinking
up excuses to really living
and in the end i live a life that's meaningless.

something's got to give
to help bring out the best in me
for what i can't forgive
i won't forget the lessons that
you bled in me and
i don't believe in love
i don't beleive in truth
i don't believe in a world without you
i don't beleive in love
i don't beleive in truth
and i don't beleive in you.


keep up the good work guys.

[Dirty Bill]

Love and Depression or is it Depression mostly? I'm not sure.

Here's a sample. The lyrics aren't great but they fit the notes and phrasing.

This morning
I couldn't think
because of

You ... (chorus)

A quiet day
It was before
I realized

You... (chorus)

were the light
of that day

and
of the sun
and
of the moon

And of my soul ...

You (chorus)

You (chorus)

You--ooo-ooooooo (chorus)

Brief bass guitar interlude, etc. (return to pathetic whining)

Lame, I know, but I guess it's about losing love, which leads to depression and to songs like this one which will never make the charts.

Sounds like the makins of a blues tune to me.... :cool:

[Dirty Bill]

I wonder if I could write anything. The problem is,I have no idea how to put music with it.. :confused: :cool:

[GutShotSlim009]

I recommend starting with a phrase or a line - something that is smart or has real meaning with you.
Focus on it for a few days and play with different melodies in your head - especially going to sleep.
Hopefully something will pop up that is catchy.
Once you have a catchy melodic hook then you can develop the melody and words a little at a time- it doesnt really matter in which order.

Once you have a core phrase or tune that you can't get out of your head - a lot of other stuff seems to just flow from it. Its like the hook is the seed - and if the seed is good enough - it will do whatever it has to in order not to die in your head.


this is a process that seems to work for me.

[Douglas Showalter]

I agree with the above points. One thing that I cannot stress enough is that songwriting is no different than playing an instrument. Where as some people may swing more towards certain aspects of music than others, the bottom line is that it does take practice. But, once practiced enough; you can capture the creative process much quicker each time as well as being able to find inspiration a lot easier. Think of it as if you were practicing your instrument; involving writing lyrics, melodies and chords. Frank Zappa used to treat writing as a day job, working 8-12 hours on that alone (not to mention all his other musical and theatrical duties.) Again, the more you do it the easier the inspiration comes and the better the songs get. Don't just wait for things to fall out of thin air.

[Infinite-T]

Embers (When I wrote this, the tune from, Pink Floyds "Echos" what running thru my head> Thats where the measure came from atleast)


every thought an ember burns
fading as the world does turn
waves breaking on the sand
gaze upon a distant land
a light apon a distant shore
points to were i was before
a face is burned apon my mind
far ahead and far behind

voice a whisper in the wind as blows
thats the way the story goes
reality as never was and should
reach out and grab, if we could


rain on the window pain, tears of God, tears in vain
lips pressed against the glass, the time fails to pass
silken pettles falling from a rose, and leaves that turn
slip thru fingers, and like the glowing embers burn


flicker candles tourtches, on wall of stone
amber light, that does pierce the night
pleasent dream, nightmere becomes
upon waking, open eyes from


yearn like partched deasert soul
to sleep again til growing old


dwelling in the lands between, a truths that is seldom seen
a truth i cherish, pray was mine, withheld by Gods and swine
read the story written in flesh and blood, faded from the flood
and stained upon the face, by day or night moons embrace


And what matters never understands, undiscovered distant sands
never once footprints lands, floating beyond grasp of hands


shatter as the day ends, return to hell the evening sends
breathing in the poison air, gaze into nevers stare
till ascending like a cherubs grace, light of love apon its face
lost in eteranal embrace, hang before withered face
eyes that lost light and sight, but see clear within the night
around my hand two worlds turn, as the embers still they burn
below in valleys rivers flow, upon the peaks feathers snow
,

eternities pale face a kiss, in distance forests mist
trees whisper secrets to the breeze, and within my ears freeze
each leaf tells a tail of sorrow, caried with wing of sparrow
if your hear them you will know, and never be alone
for i am there, whisper crying you home, the way is shown