andrushkiwt
Well-known member
As I'm stumbling with lyrics for something I want to record this afternoon, I came across a description of the same technique that I've always used. This is basically how I do it, always have and probably always will. But it's pretty cool to see it written out by others. Thought I'd share here, maybe it'll inspire a different approach for someone:
"Start out by writing nonsense words to the music.
...Oftentimes when working on a song, I'll try improvise a vocal using nonsense words or just enunciating a melody and seeing what comes out. If things go well, then I'll come up with at least one phrase or a hook that will stick with me. Even if it doesn't make immediate sense, I'll find that I'm stuck with it. The challenge then becomes figuring out a story that goes with those words and writing the rest.
...I would create sheets of paper that would sort of map the "beats" of the melody, then drop in different lines to fit the meter. After years of doing this, I saw a picture of one of David Byrne's (of Talking Heads) lyric sheets and saw that he was doing something similar. I was thrilled – Byrne has long been one of my heroes, so catching a glimpse of his method felt validating to me as a songwriter.
...you'll know when the right combination of words and melody hit you."
- 4 Weird (But Awesome) Ways to Come Up With Creative Lyrics You Haven't Tried
"Start out by writing nonsense words to the music.
...Oftentimes when working on a song, I'll try improvise a vocal using nonsense words or just enunciating a melody and seeing what comes out. If things go well, then I'll come up with at least one phrase or a hook that will stick with me. Even if it doesn't make immediate sense, I'll find that I'm stuck with it. The challenge then becomes figuring out a story that goes with those words and writing the rest.
...I would create sheets of paper that would sort of map the "beats" of the melody, then drop in different lines to fit the meter. After years of doing this, I saw a picture of one of David Byrne's (of Talking Heads) lyric sheets and saw that he was doing something similar. I was thrilled – Byrne has long been one of my heroes, so catching a glimpse of his method felt validating to me as a songwriter.
...you'll know when the right combination of words and melody hit you."
- 4 Weird (But Awesome) Ways to Come Up With Creative Lyrics You Haven't Tried