Whats wrong with me?

[mate112]

There are days, when I can just sit down and write. Every good line I write I jump up with excitement and cant wait to write another.

After a good verse I just dance around the room lmao.

And then there are days...

when I cant even write a decent sounding single line...

Will this inability to be "genius" pass?

I keep getting frustrated since all I wana do is sit down and write awesome verses as I recently did...

sigh

 

[themdla]

"sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't"

don't worry about it it's normal, nobody is awesome everyday lol

how long have you been writing songs?

as you get more experience the good days will start to out weigh the bad

hopefully that will happen to me soon hahaha!!!

 

[Farno]

Last night I had a good night. I think the reason I have these good days is when I need to make a song.

Last night I recorded a video and edited it. I needed a soundtrack to go along with it and that inspiration made me fly through it enjoyably.

I need a reason to make a song. Now tonight I have nothing... no reason and that's why I don't feel like doing anything right now, except share my experience in this post.

 

[Dr. Varney]

Count yourself lucky you have good days. I'm still waiting for my first...

 

[Tomminz]

I have this same problem, but my good days are now starting to out weigh my bad ones. I've realized when I'm writing, I'm generally listening to the genre of music I'm writing, and that one word.. or line that catches me and inspires a whole song.

So.. try and listen to some of your favorite bands/musicians. Hell, even if you don't like them in general, listen to the genre of music your trying to write. Always works for me.

Hope this helps!

 

[mate112]

"sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't"

don't worry about it it's normal, nobody is awesome everyday lol

how long have you been writing songs?

as you get more experience the good days will start to out weigh the bad

hopefully that will happen to me soon hahaha!!!

I've been serious about it for ~3 months or so. Yes I did write before but it was just a line and then another line that wouldnt relate to anything I've written. I had tons of pieces of paper and tons of Word documents started.

I went thru everything 4 months ago or so. Finished my first full 3 verse piece back in September. Finished another 2 verse recently and now I'm working on 2 more songs.

 

[mate112]

I think my biggest problem is starting the song, the very 1st line. haha

 

[grimtraveller]

I need a reason to make a song.

It's funny, I don't. One thing I learned from listening to late sixties writers is that almost any song idea can be worked into a memorable, enduring piece. I'll write about anything. I just enjoy writing and recording songs. Whether they're "any good" is irrelevant !

 

[Chili]

I think my biggest problem is starting the song, the very 1st line. haha

The very first line is the most important line of a song. It's got to suck in the listener and make them want to listen to the whole song. It's everyone's weak spot. lol. A suggestion would be to write a throwaway line, finish the song, then go back and change the first line to summarize the whole song.

 

[grimtraveller]

The very first line is the most important line of a song. It's got to suck in the listener and make them want to listen to the whole song.

I'm not so sure about that. Presuming the opening line is rubbish, by the time I've got to the third line, I've already forgotten the first line ! Well, not forgotten as such, just moved onto where the song is.
Actually, if you think about it, I bet you can think of hundreds if not thousands of songs that have a pretty shitty opening line.

 

[Chili]

I'm not so sure about that. Presuming the opening line is rubbish, by the time I've got to the third line, I've already forgotten the first line ! Well, not forgotten as such, just moved onto where the song is.
Actually, if you think about it, I bet you can think of hundreds if not thousands of songs that have a pretty shitty opening line.

Okay, maybe not THE most important, the hook is pretty important, too. Hell, a lot of people don't even listen to the lyrics. For them it's more about the performance of the singer than the words. But a lot of people do listen to the words and the first line has got to intrigue them. It's not easy writing a killer first line.

 

[grimtraveller]

But a lot of people do listen to the words and the first line has got to intrigue them. It's not easy writing a killer first line.

Now that I will definitely go with.

 

[Armistice]

On that note, perhaps we should have a "Post your first lines/verses" thread to see how we're all doing with creating interest and intrigue..

To the OP... it's ebb and flow...

Go and get yer heart broken and then you'll think of 6 songs all at once... of course most of them will probably be rubbish... writing when you're on an even emotional keel is harder, but that's where it's at.

Also depends upon the type of songwriter you are... if you want to write about things that are happening to you, then interesting things have to keep happening to have a good well to draw upon... if, like me, you're more a story-teller type songwriter, then you can cast around looking for ideas - which is in some ways an easier task...

Don't despair, or, if you have to despair, get it down...

 

[Villain S Deeds]

In my most successful experiences as a creative person, I've always worked best under pressure. I have to set myself a tight but obtainable deadline.

 

[Strat1958]

I never have any problem writing a first verse and chorus. I even have people tell me that many of my hooks are memorable!

But that second verse? Or a bridge? Damn, that is hard. What I do is keep on writing, and write "xxxxx" in place of the missing words or missing line. Then I fire up RhymeZone.com and go back and try to write a line that fits.

In the 60s you could get away with throwing in a solo, then singing the 1st verse again. But not today.

-Mike

 

[itaughttremonti]

It seems as though I am the opposite of a lot of people on here. I work better under no pressure. My songwriting is very erratic. I can go months without writing a single line, and then one day I can knock out 3-4 songs. For me, I just let it happen. I don't like to force it. I don't try to create it. I try to let things create themselves. Of course, Im not a huge touring musician either and have only had to write 1 song under pressure. (Last night coincidentally ) It turned out pretty well, imo. But I guess back OT, just let things flow. Don't force anything, it will come. Like everyone else said...there will be good/bad days. Even Lennon had bad days/songs.

 

[grimtraveller]

But a lot of people do listen to the words and the first line has got to intrigue them. It's not easy writing a killer first line.

On that note, perhaps we should have a "Post your first lines/verses" thread to see how we're all doing with creating interest and intrigue..

That's another thing ~ what a writer may think is a rubbishy opening line may be a revelation to a listener and vice versa. I love a strong opening line. Of course, then the pressure is on to make everything else that follows equally good, at least passable or better. But it's nice pressure. Unless you're Brian Wilson.

The other thing is that good to great music can make lame lyrics seem really good {think: "Afternoon tea" by the Kinks or "Still crazy after all these years" by Paul Simon} and good lyrics great {"Golden lady" by Stevie Wonder or "Walking through my dreams" by the Pretty Things} and great lyrics out of this world and sitting on the moon. Or close to it.

 

[sharonclowe]

On that note, perhaps we should have a "Post your first lines/verses" thread to see how we're all doing with creating interest and intrigue..
.

that's a fun idea! Are you going to start that thread?

I do think the first line is important....but I love a well-written song where every line is something special, provoking, or at least entertaining.

back to studying....grrrr! Just thought I'd pop on here real quick and see what everyone was talking about

 

[mate112]

To the OP... it's ebb and flow...

Go and get yer heart broken and then you'll think of 6 songs all at once... of course most of them will probably be rubbish... writing when you're on an even emotional keel is harder, but that's where it's at.

...

haha yea i know this ;p, happens all the time

 

[mate112]

It seems as though I am the opposite of a lot of people on here. I work better under no pressure. My songwriting is very erratic. I can go months without writing a single line, and then one day I can knock out 3-4 songs. For me, I just let it happen. I don't like to force it. I don't try to create it. I try to let things create themselves. Of course, Im not a huge touring musician either and have only had to write 1 song under pressure. (Last night coincidentally ) It turned out pretty well, imo. But I guess back OT, just let things flow. Don't force anything, it will come. Like everyone else said...there will be good/bad days. Even Lennon had bad days/songs.

There is no pressure on me either. I love writing when I get that inspiration, when every line I write gives me an adrenaline rush and I'm just excited as hell.

Then again, when I can't write a decent line and I'm sitting there for 20min without any progess...I resume another day.
I never try to force. Did that once or twice, then eventually ended up deleted them.