Write music first or lyrics first?

[ItDiesToday321]

I was just wanting everyone opinion on this.

[Cyrokk]

I write the music first. The rhythm of the vocal melody is usually in my head before I write the lyrics for it.

[mx_mx]

Another vote for music first

[philboyd studge]

Lyrics first, if it has lyrics. Actually, I work from a title or phrase, which usually dictates something melodically, then go from there with a bare outline of what I want to say and then put the rest of the music together. Then its back to write the lyric and develop phrasing, usually away from the studio and any instruments. Then a second look at melody and chords and possible alternatives. Then a scratch recording and it's on to the recording process.

[guitarist_44]

It depends for me. I either get a good vocal tune in my head, and then write the lyrics, and then after I would write the instruments. But sometimes i get a good catchy guitar riff in my head, so I will use that as the base.

[james123]

Originally Posted by mx_mx

Another vote for music first

Same here.

[LIMiT]

Music first.
Let the melody tell you what the song is about (how does it make you feel?,happy?sad?)

Then, ..hum your melody to the music (you can use lyrics, but don't get attached to them)

I always try to keep The Polices "Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da" in mind. These 'lyrics' mean nothing, but SERVE the song perfect!

Great songs are not written in one sitting, and usually don't come as easy as throwing some lyrics up that fit the chords of the song (I've found this a problem with many punk rock songwriters).

The 'way' you sing something is what will get the audiences attention, and you may find, as I did...that everything sort of 'falls into place' when you have your melody nailed. (ie. guits/drums/arrangement)

(another song I keep in mind is "in the jungle". Everyone knows the 'melody'...)

Hope this helps,

-LIMiT

[ninjasuperstar8]

I find it goes either way for me. Some days I have written the melody and then the lyrics just fit in perfect (which is awesome when that happens). But sometimes I get some decent lyrics and wont get the melody till sometime after and it works the other way as well, I get the melody and can't get the right lyrics to fit in.

[petermiller]

depends on what inspires you to write a tune in the first place. 6 one way 1/2 dozen the other.

[fraserhutch]

Well, if it's rap, then there you have your answer up front.

[Nateman01]

I vote music first. My guitar player/songwriting partner prefers lyrics first, so it’s hard for us to get things done if you can imagine.

[Monkey Allen]

Never really matters I don't reckon. After a while, like for me anyway, I have bits of paper and song lyrics and music everywhere. I'm happy to match up whatever I can to whatever I can. I reckon out of about 150 - 200 ideas for music for a song, and about 50 - 100 or so lyric ideas, I've only recorded 1 or 2 songs with both music and words that I am happy with.

You get that though when you rarely record. But, I live in a concrete unit right now. It's terrible for recording. I need a house

[Sydney]

music without words is still music
words without music is poetry

not sure what i'm getting at

[Monkey Allen]

I'm happy to make up song with no words

[brendandwyer]

Same time or not at all. I write a song when i'm doodling along on guitar or piano, no chords set, no music set. A line pops into my head, and then it writes itself.

[EndangeredFeces]

Usually for me it's melody before lyrics, but sometimes when I have words down first, it really sets the tone for the music in the song.

[sleeper42]

I voted 'music first' because that's how it usually goes. Sometimes I pick up the acoustic and come up with a chord progression, and sometimes I get an idea for a song (usually a main chorus lyric hook), and I see what fits with the chord progressions I have been working on - and/or I'll modify the chord progression to make it work.

[therage!]

I've done both. But I became more productive when I started focusing more on the music first.

[cephus]

I can never get it to work unless they're both at the same time. Like I can come up with a lyrical hook, but it immediately suggests a melody to me and I go from there. I can write lyrics for days and end up with nothing but a legal pad with no more blank pages. I can couch pick for months and never end up with something that suggests a lyrical theme.

HOWEVER, I've had a few instrumental things that someone else decided to try and write lyrics to. I was so threatened that i scribbled out my own lyrics and finished the songs - 100% cephus. I hate myself for that, but it did make me more productive.

[BlindMansColour]

usually the music comes first, but I've also found that setting a certain melody of lyrics can help decide a good flow of chords too

[Cyanide-Depende]

music first sometimes, but also lyrics first sometimes... mostly music first, but there shuld be a 3rd option, because it really depends on the mood and what comes out first.

-C$

[Nicole_Rose]

i'm not a prolific writer, but...

it all works best for me when.... i get the musical hook and the melody, then i get the lyric subject and defining first verse. then i kind of find the chorus with both music and lyrics, and melody. then over time the song will grow from those bare bones to something i can find something good in, even years later when i've grown beyond that.

[Dogman]

Usually music.....I have hndreds of pages of lyrics, but when I go to work on a new tune, I usually end up writing new lyrics, and file the old ones away....

[wilko]

Music first always for me!

[Ced]

It depends..
sometimes I'm playing guitar and trying something new.. and then I stuck on some chords that sound good and then I put lyrics the way it makes me feel
sometimes I'm on the bus an idea of a rythm or a melody comes to my mind then I try to remember it :| and sometimes I feel the need to sing about something so I put words in lines and then I put guitar to get along.

Ced