well written lyrics - what does it mean?

[Maya Clars]

What does "well-written lyrics" mean to you? What are the indicators of good lyrics?

If it's hard to answer, maybe just answer these questions:
1. Is it about complexity of words?
2. Is it about relatability of lyrics?

Waiting for your answers!

 

[Papanate]

What does "well-written lyrics" mean to you? What are the indicators of good lyrics?

If it's hard to answer, maybe just answer these questions:
1. Is it about complexity of words?
2. Is it about relatability of lyrics?

Well written lyrics for me can be summed up in a simple sentence - they take you somewhere - that's why I think Smoke On the Water are great lyrics -so is Mercy Street by Peter Gabriel.

 

[rob aylestone]

Putting my educator's hat on - I had this battle in the 90s with a colleague. The education words are Prosody - the way the words align with the music, and the accented beats. Stopping awkward phrasing is vital - syllables on downbeats - that kind of thing. Smoke on the Water is a brilliant Narrative - so was the Moon over Bourbon Street song we talked about recently. Story telling.

Then comes imagery. metaphors and contemporary language work here avoiding clichés. Hooks that work well also let people remember the words.
Last thing - avoid pointless words that clutter it up and make sure words chosen are strong and not weak.

I know all that and am totally unable to write lyrics, because I don't find words paint pictures for me.

 

[TalismanRich]

I know all that and am totally unable to write lyrics, because I don't find words paint pictures for me.

You took the words right out of my mouth (hey, that could be a song!)

I have not clue on how to respond, except to say that any lyrics I've written don't qualify! For some reason, I never mastered the turn of a phrase to make things interesting.

There are songs like "I Am The Walrus" that seem to make no sense, but are just great lyrics. Derived from Lewis Carroll's books, it depends on fleeting images, rhyming and meter, even made up words (Crabalocker fishwife). Once in a Life Time (Talking Heads), Give It Away (RHCP). Epic (Faith No More) There are many. It helps that there is also a melody to carry the words, even if they are almost meaningless.

180 degrees from that are people like Harry Chapin who crafted stories about people, both real and imagined. Listen to Sniper, based on a real event. A Better Place to Be. His songs paint movies with words. You can close your eyes and watch the scene happen!





I've always loved well written story songs like this.

It's one of things that I don't like about most hip-hop. The songs just becomes a barrage of rhymes, almost an assault, and in 90% of the cases, I can't even understand what it being said. Add in the lack of any melody, and the canned beats and the song just loses me.

 

[Steenamaroo]

What does "well-written lyrics" mean to you? What are the indicators of good lyrics?

If it's hard to answer, maybe just answer these questions:
1. Is it about complexity of words?
2. Is it about relatability of lyrics?

Waiting for your answers!

It depends on who is judging them and what that person wants.
If the goal is to tell a story but it's so obscure and abstract that it doesn't come across, they're probably not great lyrics
at least from the author's perspective.

A listener, though, might want lyrics to inspire them, or make them think, or evoke some emotional response.
They may think the same work is wonderful.

I guess you have to define good and identify to whom.

 

[Manslick]

If you want to reach a specific demographic like teen girls then say what they want to hear. Like. You don't have to be nice to be loved.

If you’re going for mature adult men then appeal to their ego. Like. I like it when you’re nice to me.

 

[60's guy]

Well written lyrics for me can be summed up in a simple sentence - they take you somewhere.

Yes indeed! The lyrics of any song can capture your attention, lead you somewhere and paint a portrait in your mind, reminding you of a place or time in your life, if you take the time to read the lyrics, and ignore the music that failed to compliment the lyrical content.

 

[Maya Clars]

Well written lyrics for me can be summed up in a simple sentence - they take you somewhere - that's why I think Smoke On the Water are great lyrics -so is Mercy Street by Peter Gabriel.

I love this thought - lyrics can take you somewhere. This is beautifully written! It happens with me when I listen to Starset band, some of the songs make me think of many stuff, ah

 

[Maya Clars]

Putting my educator's hat on - I had this battle in the 90s with a colleague. The education words are Prosody - the way the words align with the music, and the accented beats. Stopping awkward phrasing is vital - syllables on downbeats - that kind of thing. Smoke on the Water is a brilliant Narrative - so was the Moon over Bourbon Street song we talked about recently. Story telling.

Then comes imagery. metaphors and contemporary language work here avoiding clichés. Hooks that work well also let people remember the words.
Last thing - avoid pointless words that clutter it up and make sure words chosen are strong and not weak.

I know all that and am totally unable to write lyrics, because I don't find words paint pictures for me.

Thank you for writing this! Yeah, I love when there are lots of metaphors, it's very interesting to listen to the song when some lines make you wonder. Have you ever tried to visualize a song and then write lyrics as you'd describe the feeling of the picture? It sounds a bit complicated, but it's mostly visualizing a scenery and describing the feelings, it something that helps me to go from something.

 

[Maya Clars]

You took the words right out of my mouth (hey, that could be a song!)

I have not clue on how to respond, except to say that any lyrics I've written don't qualify! For some reason, I never mastered the turn of a phrase to make things interesting.

There are songs like "I Am The Walrus" that seem to make no sense, but are just great lyrics. Derived from Lewis Carroll's books, it depends on fleeting images, rhyming and meter, even made up words (Crabalocker fishwife). Once in a Life Time (Talking Heads), Give It Away (RHCP). Epic (Faith No More) There are many. It helps that there is also a melody to carry the words, even if they are almost meaningless.

180 degrees from that are people like Harry Chapin who crafted stories about people, both real and imagined. Listen to Sniper, based on a real event. A Better Place to Be. His songs paint movies with words. You can close your eyes and watch the scene happen!





I've always loved well written story songs like this.

It's one of things that I don't like about most hip-hop. The songs just becomes a barrage of rhymes, almost an assault, and in 90% of the cases, I can't even understand what it being said. Add in the lack of any melody, and the canned beats and the song just loses me.

Thank you for pinning the videos, I really liked the songs, beautiful lyrics. I love when a song has a concept, when you can hear a development in the lyrics as the story goes, it's a beautiful way of writing. "The songs just becomes a barrage of rhymes, almost an assault," - this made me laugh, hahaha, yeah, some modern songs sound like an assault as there are just swearings...

 

[Maya Clars]

It depends on who is judging them and what that person wants.
If the goal is to tell a story but it's so obscure and abstract that it doesn't come across, they're probably not great lyrics
at least from the author's perspective.

A listener, though, might want lyrics to inspire them, or make them think, or evoke some emotional response.
They may think the same work is wonderful.

I guess you have to define good and identify to whom.

This is great, yeah, when you know the goal, you automatically get needed answers. It's really important to ask yourself "what do I want? What is my goal? What kind of lyrics I like?". Lyrics are very abstract, it's interesting to challenge yourself and experiment in writing

 

[Maya Clars]

If you want to reach a specific demographic like teen girls then say what they want to hear. Like. You don't have to be nice to be loved.

If you’re going for mature adult men then appeal to their ego. Like. I like it when you’re nice to me.

hahaha

 

[Maya Clars]

Yes indeed! The lyrics of any song can capture your attention, lead you somewhere and paint a portrait in your mind, reminding you of a place or time in your life, if you take the time to read the lyrics, and ignore the music that failed to compliment the lyrical content.

Yeah! It's like a time capsule!

 

[rob aylestone]

As I said, I really don't listen to lyrics of songs, just the melodies and chords. The only exceptions have been really few in number. In the early 90's I decided when I pop off, I'd have this Alan Parsons track at my funeral.

It's also got a very fitting sax solo at the end.

 

[TAE]

What does "well-written lyrics" mean to you? What are the indicators of good lyrics?

Lyrics are like short stories / poems that are delivered via music. Like a book the topic of the lyrics is whatever the author wants it to be about.

"Good Lyrics" is subjective. It is not a competition but when you mean lyrics that will make you $$$$$ that's another story. For that you need to pick your audience and focus on lyrics that they will like....How do you figure that out...Look at the charts and see what is popping up in the top 20 and you have a target.

There are people who wake up everyday and that is all they do and they make a living at it...Most of us just do it when we can

Some like myself just have these words just come out of nowhere...Sometimes...Sometimes not so much...Same with the music that I write that goes with them.

You're pretty young so my advice would be is to study the songs and songwriters you like...As a dinorocker looking at the younger current hit makers I like Steven Sanchez, Billie Eilish, Benson Boone, Ed Sheran and Taylor swift's lyrical and musical skills...many others

When I was learning how to write a song my influences were Carol King, The Beatles, Dylan, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, CSNY

The Elton John / Bernie Taupin things is pretty amazing where Bernie writes lyrics and Elton puts them to music.

Most important allow the Muse (GOD) inspire you, open your eyes and mind to the power of the gifts you've been given and use them to your best ability.

It's a process and a labor of love. Success is not king ...but it doesn't suck if you are so lucky to achieve it while doing what you love.

As I said, I really don't listen to lyrics of songs, just the melodies and chords

Man lyrics have always been so important to me...I mean I LOVE lyrics and their artistry and the stories they tell, the pictures they paint in our minds, touch our souls...

I thought everybody did...

It only took me till I was an old man to realize that a lot of people don't give a squat about the lyrics just the music...Fuckers Seriously I was yapping with the music director / lead guitarist of the band I am in and he said almost exactly what you said.... WTF? All about the music.....and he is picky as shit about that part.

I loved reading the lyrics in the album covers....... King Crimson Court of the Crimson King damn good shit and then add the music to it epic....



The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh

But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying

Between the iron gates of fate
The seeds of time were sown
And watered by the deeds of those
Who know and who are known
Knowledge is a deadly friend
If no one sets the rules
The fate of all mankind, I see
Is in the hands of fools
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams?
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh

But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Crying
Crying

 

[Eric V]

I always like lyrics that @Papanate said "takes you somewhere" and also are a bit ambiguous so that you can interpret them how you feel to some degree. Some writers claimed they did this intentionally. Others not so much. An example is "Kashmir" which as it happens I am covering currently. I feel like I can envision the desert between the lyrics and music. Robert Plant's lyrics refer to pleasant foreign tongues spoken, nicely added imagery in my opinion.

 

[DM60]

I have come to use the words to narrate the music. Or the music to deepen the words. As stated, the words have to fit the beat, but if the words and the notes are working together, the narrative becomes more economical and the music creates the concept. Which to me means, the better I craft the music, the less words I will need. Not always, but more times than not. I am becoming a fan of the less is more school of song writing.

 

[Maya Clars]

As I said, I really don't listen to lyrics of songs, just the melodies and chords. The only exceptions have been really few in number. In the early 90's I decided when I pop off, I'd have this Alan Parsons track at my funeral.

It's also got a very fitting sax solo at the end.

Thank you so much for pinning the link! To be honest, I also pay more attention to music rather than lyrics.

 

[Maya Clars]

Lyrics are like short stories / poems that are delivered via music. Like a book the topic of the lyrics is whatever the author wants it to be about.

"Good Lyrics" is subjective. It is not a competition but when you mean lyrics that will make you $$$$$ that's another story. For that you need to pick your audience and focus on lyrics that they will like....How do you figure that out...Look at the charts and see what is popping up in the top 20 and you have a target.

There are people who wake up everyday and that is all they do and they make a living at it...Most of us just do it when we can

Some like myself just have these words just come out of nowhere...Sometimes...Sometimes not so much...Same with the music that I write that goes with them.

You're pretty young so my advice would be is to study the songs and songwriters you like...As a dinorocker looking at the younger current hit makers I like Steven Sanchez, Billie Eilish, Benson Boone, Ed Sheran and Taylor swift's lyrical and musical skills...many others

When I was learning how to write a song my influences were Carol King, The Beatles, Dylan, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, CSNY

The Elton John / Bernie Taupin things is pretty amazing where Bernie writes lyrics and Elton puts them to music.

Most important allow the Muse (GOD) inspire you, open your eyes and mind to the power of the gifts you've been given and use them to your best ability.

It's a process and a labor of love. Success is not king ...but it doesn't suck if you are so lucky to achieve it while doing what you love.



Man lyrics have always been so important to me...I mean I LOVE lyrics and their artistry and the stories they tell, the pictures they paint in our minds, touch our souls...

I thought everybody did...

It only took me till I was an old man to realize that a lot of people don't give a squat about the lyrics just the music...Fuckers Seriously I was yapping with the music director / lead guitarist of the band I am in and he said almost exactly what you said.... WTF? All about the music.....and he is picky as shit about that part.

I loved reading the lyrics in the album covers....... King Crimson Court of the Crimson King damn good shit and then add the music to it epic....



The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh

But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying

Between the iron gates of fate
The seeds of time were sown
And watered by the deeds of those
Who know and who are known
Knowledge is a deadly friend
If no one sets the rules
The fate of all mankind, I see
Is in the hands of fools
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams?
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh

But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Crying
Crying

Wonderfully said! When there's an interesting story in the lyrics, it's always captivating to hear the development of it. Sometimes the lyrics might build a whole world inside your brain. A beautiful form of art.