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the edzell
New member
I’ve written with a few people and varying styles of writing. I was just curious for most songwriters what comes first: the music or the lyrics? Do most great songwriters perfer one before the other?
Garry Sharp
Lost Cause
Well, there's a chicken and an egg lying in bed together. The egg's got a big smile on it's face, smoking a cigarette, looking very content and relaxed. The chicken's scowling and fidgety. That answers the age old question about the chicken and the egg.
I believe the answer to your question is there is no answer.
I believe the answer to your question is there is no answer.
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Josh English
New member
Actually when I was in 9th grade, I had a biology teacher who explained the whole chicken or the egg thing. And, I am completely serious, told us that due to the way cells develope, there actually IS an answer to the question (although she admitted that because of random and extreme genetic mutations... the answer isn't without flaw.) However, I can't for the life of me remember what the damn answer is. Sorry I havn't been more help.
Oh by the way, I usually write (or atleast partially develope a melody) before I write lyrics. Although there are exceptions.
Oh by the way, I usually write (or atleast partially develope a melody) before I write lyrics. Although there are exceptions.
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nickjc
New member
chickeny egg
Jack White hs said the way he writes "the first chord and the first line all sort of come out together", which is the way I work I think.
I start with just one line usually, but I can't dp it without lyrics, even if it's just for rythmic effect, or so I remember the melody.
so the short answer for me is, I start with both - the egg IN the chicken before it is laid . .
Jack White hs said the way he writes "the first chord and the first line all sort of come out together", which is the way I work I think.
I start with just one line usually, but I can't dp it without lyrics, even if it's just for rythmic effect, or so I remember the melody.
so the short answer for me is, I start with both - the egg IN the chicken before it is laid . .
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stoctony
New member
Im glad you asked this question. I didnt have the balls to because i was pretty sure i already knew the answer. My songs are about 50-50. I figured every one else probably was too. ALRIGHT...WAHOO..Im NOT a freak..
Cyrokk
Farce of Nature
I almost always write the music first. I've tried writing lyrics before music, and for me it comes out sounding...well, like I forced music to fit the lyrics. When I write the music first, I can focus on the groove and find the words that fit the musical impact. And since I sing my own songs, I avoid certain words because they sound stupid when I sing them.
When I see someone post lyrics here, I always refrain from giving comment, because there is no way for me to personally appreciate what someone has written from a lyrical point of view without the music behind it. Without music, it's just poetry.
When I see someone post lyrics here, I always refrain from giving comment, because there is no way for me to personally appreciate what someone has written from a lyrical point of view without the music behind it. Without music, it's just poetry.
A
Artist Unknown
New member
The answer to the "chicken or the egg" question is that, scientifically, the egg came first. All birds evolved from reptiles. Somewhere along the evolutionary path of the chicken, some non-chicken must have laid an egg and the first chicken sprang out from it.
However, if you are a Christian you would believe that God created the first chicken....so in that case the chicken came first.
I know that this isn't what this thread is about, but I couldn't help it. Sorry.
Most of my songs come from me jamming on the guitar and coming across a cool riff and then adding a melody bu humming something. There are eceptions.
However, if you are a Christian you would believe that God created the first chicken....so in that case the chicken came first.
I know that this isn't what this thread is about, but I couldn't help it. Sorry.
Most of my songs come from me jamming on the guitar and coming across a cool riff and then adding a melody bu humming something. There are eceptions.
O
old dan
New member
For me it all depends. Sometimes I may start with some music and then write words to it, sometimes I will write some words and put them to music. But it seems the songs I write that start with music usually come out better.
And about the chicken and the egg, the chicken came first. Here's proof.
http://www.improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume9/v9i4/chicken_egg.html
And about the chicken and the egg, the chicken came first. Here's proof.
http://www.improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume9/v9i4/chicken_egg.html
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david strait
New member
It seems that my best songs happen when I break out of whatever habit i've gotten into while writing. For example, if I've been in the habit of writing music first for the last few months and then I'm driving around and work out words and a melody in my head it gives me kind of a fresh place to start. Then I get in the habit of doing that and so I intentionnally sit down and write on the guitar without words or a melody. For me, the key is that I don't get stuck in the mode of one particular formula for the songwriting process.