Question to all lyricists
 

I wanted to ask a question to all you musicians, specifiically, lyricists out there.

First off, My writing is usually pointed towards the heavier genre of music, but I also sing in songs. What I normally focus a lot on in writing lyrics are rhythmics. Anyways, to my question.

I've REALLY had writers block lately and it's driving me crazy. I either start a song and then the next day look it over and throw it in a trash because I think it sucks or can't even start due to numerous things. What I wanted to know is when you guys go to write lyrics to a song, do you first write the lyrics THEN go "Ok how am I going to sing this and how is the rhythm of the singing going to be" or do you actually find the melody and rhythm of how you are going to sing something and just "fill in" your lyrics" once you find it.

For example, if you don't follow me.

Take a song like Bother by Stone Sour. If you were Corey Taylor (the lead singer) i'd basically be asking you "the chorus of your song goes:

You don't need to bother
I don't need to be
I keep slipping farther
But once I hold on, I won't let go till it bleeds

"Now, did you first write those lyrics then find out how you were going to sing it, or did you have that whole melody and just put your lyrics together revolving around that melody?"

Get what i'm saying?

I'd really like to hear many of your opinions, perhaps it will help me.

hard to say for me since i write both the music and the lyrics. If i get a good idea for a song ill write out the lyrics and then write music with the rythem i had in mind, other times ill come up with a riff i like alot and write the lyrics to go with the music based on the attitude or aggression that i think fits. so, guess im no help but just stating that it works either way for me.

Oh yeah, that's cool. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know that people don't follow ONE or the other everytime. But a majority of the time, it might be one way. I too write a lot of the music, considering I play guitar as well.

Like i'll be like "Ok, i'm going to write the lyrics but I have no rhythm for them, so I guess i'll just write them" but that seems kinda hard because there HAS to be some form to how you are going to write them. Are they going to be long phrased lines? Are they going to be short? It's interesting..

Personally, I write the lyrics and then the drum beats, because I've been a drummer for seven years. I get my bassist to fill in his tabs and see if they blend, and then we all work on the guitar riffs. I'm the only song writer for my band though.

if it aint fittin the beat jus throw in anotha line about pussy son. ya feel?

word