Writing a song for my wife...

[mjr]

Ok, I'm wanting to write a song for my wife.

However, I'm not sure what genre I should use. My writing style and my voice (I think) are more suited to country, whereas my wife likes a lot of Metal.

She doesn't just like ANY metal, though. She doesn't really care for anything Metallica did after the Black album, although she hasn't heard St. Anger or Death Magnetic, yet.

Anyway, she also likes stuff like power/thrash metal. Things like The Scorpions, Motorhead, Finntroll, Iced Earth, and such. She doesn't really care for "power ballads", although there are exceptions. I made her a CD for Valentine's day a couple of years ago that had Metallica, Aerosmith, The Scorpions, and Creed on it.

I think she would enjoy a "metal" arrangement (and lyrics) moreso than a heartfelt country ballad, but I'm not sure.

I'm not really good at playing metal. I'm only halfway decent at playing country.

I'm just not sure which direction to head, here...

 

[up-fiddler]

.......I'm just not sure which direction to head, here...

I'm not really sure what you are asking. Still, a great song is a great song and can be performed in many genres without losing its appeal or impact. There are MANY examples of this in music but off the top of my head I would think of Layla by Clapton. It was a rock monster for a generation and then an acoustic monster for a completely different generation; many of whom hadn't heard the original version.

My feeling is that if you write her something that is heartfelt and well crafted you will be a hit at home where it counts most. Good luck, Dave. aka up-fiddler

 

[mjr]

I'm not really sure what you are asking. Still, a great song is a great song and can be performed in many genres without losing its appeal or impact. There are MANY examples of this in music but off the top of my head I would think of Layla by Clapton. It was a rock monster for a generation and then an acoustic monster for a completely different generation; many of whom hadn't heard the original version.

My feeling is that if you write her something that is heartfelt and well crafted you will be a hit at home where it counts most. Good luck, Dave. aka up-fiddler

Heartfelt and well-crafted is, of course, the ultimate goal.

I'm speaking from a lyric standpoint. Some lyrics are more direct about the "love" and the "I love you's" than others.

Although, I think I might be able to do something.

 

[gecko zzed]

I don't think you really need to worry about genre.

I think you should write your song the way your heart tells you to, and let the music flow from what you write.

It's a love song for your wife. She will think you're wonderful just for thinking about her.

Do it the best you can, which means picking the style you are most comfortable with.

 

[icystorm]

Ok, I'm wanting to write a song for my wife.

Good idea! I've wanted to write a song for my wife, but it has not happened so far.

I agree with Gecko's comments. The genre does not really matter. If metal us what you want to do, go for it.

I'm not really a fan of metal, but I definitely enjoy Metallica songs. I always really liked "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman". Perhaps a slower song like Nothing Else Matters would work. I'm not sure if that qualifies as a power ballad or not. Metal ballad? Dunno.

Cheers,
Joseph

 

[Cosmic]

All I can say is: don't force it. Sing/Play in whatever style the song wants and you are comfortable in. She will listen and understand, metal or not.

C.

 

[Whatmysay]

Try Country Metal

Seriously - create the space for the lyrics with a good country/blues progression, but build some great shredding riffs on top of it.

Maybe do a bridge with diatonic/chromatic major chords (or Maj5) to put it back in the metal neighbourhood.

But if it starts to sound like a power ballad then shred it up more, or muck up the progression. My tip would that when you get to the chorus make sure the 'money line' is over a clean 1 - 4 or 1- 5 chords so you can shape the most melodic line in this section that will contrast against the less melodic lines of your metal inspired prog.

You can then also use the prosody to then talk about all the bad things in life in the verse (messed up metal) vs. how your wife loves you/you love her in the ch (a little bit of country).

The truth about power ballades is they are Elton John with distorted guitars and big solos - if you think your going that way then just change a chord or two (do a major where you'd normally do a minor or visa versa)

Like the guys have said above, she'll be happy that you have even considered her taste so deeply as to try to put something together just for her.

Good luck

 

[Chili]

Or another angle... go simple. Just you, the guitar and her!!

i went probably 8 or 9 years without writing a song for my wife, then in the last year or two, I knocked out about 4 just for her.

 

[Strat1958]

Agreed - why not try a style that's "different" for both of you?

You're country, she's metal, maybe try some folk-rock (a la David Gray) or a jazzy feel.

-Mike

Edit: Here is the one I recently wrote for MY wife....