Songwiriting

i have been writing lyrics and guitar parts for years, but i just wanted to know in your opinions what you think is the best process to writing songs. Usually, i'll come up with some kick ass guitar riff or melody, then write lyrics off of that. But most people i talk to say you should write the lyrics first.
How do you guys prefer to write and lyricise songs?

:cool: Slasha

Thats what I get too.
That I should write the lyrics first.
When I ask why I always get: "because you express yourself
wit the lyrics."
Ok I buy that, but why cant you express your self with
the guitar? No one has been able to answer.
Everybody dont have to be like RATM; you know REALLY
having something to say. Maybe I dont have anything
to say?! Maybe I just want other people to hear my
nice little song I have made?! When I have something
important to say with my songs, I will start with the lyrics. But for now, guitar comes first.

I usually write lyrics and music seperately, not always though. But once I get a song to where I think I want to put words to it, I'll start going through my lyrics until I've found something I can meld into a song.

Generaly, I try to avoid any sort of "ritual" for song writing. I try to mix it up as much as possible, yet still write about what I feel.