Tips on Lyric writing... (lyrics, rap, rock, genre, American)

pooch · 09-06-2005, 10:23 AM

i know this is a rather strange question but can anyone offer me advice on writing lyrics

I like to write fun ska lyrics , but some times ill pick up the old acoustic and have an attempt at something meaningful...but kinda 'in vain'

so had anyone got any advice , much appreciated

ta

Hype8 · 09-06-2005, 04:31 PM

uhh write about what you know, don't get caught up wit all the other wannabes who try and be something they aren't. There are not really rules you HAVE to comply to, just be creative. Try to build a big vocabulary. Read a lot.

TheBig3 · 09-06-2005, 04:59 PM

Yeah those are pretty good tips from hype. Alot of people want to talk about pain that isn't there. It doesn't make you deep to lead a crap life. You aren't better for overcoming a ****ty life, I don't know how this became conventional wisdom but it did.

If your life is fine and you have nothing to write about, either write stories about characters that do, or sing with a socially concious eye.

pooch · 09-07-2005, 09:25 AM

cheers guys

its just i can never make a lyric rhyme well

i mean a guy from Streetlight manifesto can write such creative lyrics and stuff that amaze me, but i can never think of a way to make lyrics like him

Reign · 09-07-2005, 05:28 PM

Why do lyrics have to be about crap and pain? I love "happy" songs. Ive heard a entire song based on the fact that the vocalist found a penny. It was amazing what he came up with.

So anything can be a song, even finding change.

TheBig3 · 09-07-2005, 08:03 PM

Why must people fight with me to fight with me. 90% of the time teenage writers try to focus on why life sucks. If you can write happy songs, in your younger years your already ahead of the game. It wasn't an all purpose dictation, it was a comment to the masses.

Hype8 · 09-07-2005, 08:59 PM

Well, when I write songs I focus on what I'm feelin. It could be whatever you know, some problems I'm having, bad experiences, memories and stuff. I don't think I've written a "happy" song wit your discription in a long time. Different genres demand different moods and stuff, and I mainly write rap lyrics. But that's just me. Now that you've mentioned it though, I might get back into my Fresh Prince collection and learn how to be "playful". hahaha

TheBig3 · 09-07-2005, 09:38 PM

genres demand moods?

boo boo · 09-07-2005, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooch

its just i can never make a lyric rhyme well

There are several lyricists who dont rely on ryhmes in their lyrics, especialy in progressive rock, the lyrics are usualy very obscure, they are meant to be more philosophical and idealistic than poetic and passionate, but they can still have a lot of depth and meaning.

TheBig3 · 09-08-2005, 06:42 AM

Yeah Amen to boo boo comments. Not that I like him at all, but Read Walt Wittman, probably considered one of the more ideal American Poets. I hate him with a passion but read (crap its something like) As I kept a midnight Vigil) or somehting like that. I give you that one cause its not a 200-page epic. But try it.

And what I usualy do if I just need a rhyme is use Assonance that way it doesn't sound like complete crap yet keeps the lines somewhat tied.

09-06-2005, 10:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
pooch Groupie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Mills Posts: 39	Tips on Lyric writing... i know this is a rather strange question but can anyone offer me advice on writing lyrics I like to write fun ska lyrics , but some times ill pick up the old acoustic and have an attempt at something meaningful...but kinda 'in vain' so had anyone got any advice , much appreciated ta

09-06-2005, 04:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Hype8 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: california Posts: 191	uhh write about what you know, don't get caught up wit all the other wannabes who try and be something they aren't. There are not really rules you HAVE to comply to, just be creative. Try to build a big vocabulary. Read a lot. __________________

09-06-2005, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	Yeah those are pretty good tips from hype. Alot of people want to talk about pain that isn't there. It doesn't make you deep to lead a crap life. You aren't better for overcoming a ****ty life, I don't know how this became conventional wisdom but it did. If your life is fine and you have nothing to write about, either write stories about characters that do, or sing with a socially concious eye. __________________ I've moved to a new address

09-07-2005, 05:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reign Groupie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I live in the hearts of every child. Posts: 14	Why do lyrics have to be about crap and pain? I love "happy" songs. Ive heard a entire song based on the fact that the vocalist found a penny. It was amazing what he came up with. So anything can be a song, even finding change. __________________ Im rare. Like originality. Reign www.reignnet.tk

09-07-2005, 08:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	Why must people fight with me to fight with me. 90% of the time teenage writers try to focus on why life sucks. If you can write happy songs, in your younger years your already ahead of the game. It wasn't an all purpose dictation, it was a comment to the masses. __________________ I've moved to a new address

09-07-2005, 09:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
pooch Groupie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Mills Posts: 39	cheers guys its just i can never make a lyric rhyme well i mean a guy from Streetlight manifesto can write such creative lyrics and stuff that amaze me, but i can never think of a way to make lyrics like him

09-07-2005, 08:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hype8 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: california Posts: 191	Well, when I write songs I focus on what I'm feelin. It could be whatever you know, some problems I'm having, bad experiences, memories and stuff. I don't think I've written a "happy" song wit your discription in a long time. Different genres demand different moods and stuff, and I mainly write rap lyrics. But that's just me. Now that you've mentioned it though, I might get back into my Fresh Prince collection and learn how to be "playful". hahaha __________________

09-07-2005, 09:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	genres demand moods? __________________ I've moved to a new address

09-08-2005, 06:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	Yeah Amen to boo boo comments. Not that I like him at all, but Read Walt Wittman, probably considered one of the more ideal American Poets. I hate him with a passion but read (crap its something like) As I kept a midnight Vigil) or somehting like that. I give you that one cause its not a 200-page epic. But try it. And what I usualy do if I just need a rhyme is use Assonance that way it doesn't sound like complete crap yet keeps the lines somewhat tied. __________________ I've moved to a new address