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Post by Joxcenia on Feb 21, 2005 22:58:25 GMT -6
Is there a difference between writing Poetry and writing Song Lyrics? If so, what are the differences? And if you write both the music and the lyrics of a song, which comes first for you?
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Post by guru on Feb 22, 2005 2:26:50 GMT -6
Yes, there is a very important difference. This is one of the first topics covered in any songwriting class.
Always bear in mind that it is possible to find exceptions to any rule. But they do not disprove the rule. Now statistically speaking...
As a rule, song lyrics should be more direct and to the point. Be conversational ... avoid the use of unusual sentence structure.
Most songs have a chorus, so each verse must point to the chorus. A chorus is strengthened if it contains the most direct declarative statements in the entire song.
Of course this leads to the broader subject of making sure the words fit the music. And that is where good teachers earn their pay.
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Post by guru on Feb 22, 2005 2:45:55 GMT -6
Which came first - the lyric or the music?
This is a matter of individual preference. I usually create a complete rhythm track (drums, bass, rhythm guitar) and listen repeatedly until the music suggests a subject. Or a good title will pop into my head and wake me up in the middle of the night.
If you are hired to write a song, you will probably be given a subject ... if not the actual title. Then you must be able to start with some words and build the rest of the song from there.
So practice writing both ways. You may be pleasantly surprised to find a change in your routine sparking extra creativity.
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Post by Joxcenia on Feb 22, 2005 17:20:27 GMT -6
I've never written music... wouldn't even know where to begin. I can pick out tunes on the piano/organ by ear, and I learned a little about notes in grade school to play a flute, so I can "play at" making a bit of music.  Not well enough to truly call myself a musician by any means though. 
I was just curious as to what the difference was between poetry and song lyrics, and if a person could just write lyrics and sell them to someone who could then turn them into a song. Or just stick to poetry.  I have written a couple of rhyming children's picture books that jumped out at me while listening to a couple of Prince songs years ago. The words just went with the music like it belonged to it. It was a weird experience, and it got me to thinking about lyric writing. Planted the seed, if you will.
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Post by callie on Apr 25, 2005 10:30:02 GMT -6
Poetry does have its' own lyricism, a beat, a definable presence of rthym that gives logic or order to the whole.
A great book for you to read on poetry is Mary Oliver's "A Poetry Handbook."
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Post by Joxcenia on Apr 25, 2005 16:23:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the suggestion... I'll add it to my wish list...
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Mij
Whooshite Apprentice
Mein ungew?hnliches Leben
Posts: 208
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Post by Mij on Apr 29, 2005 8:07:14 GMT -6
There is a bad I would suggest you investigate called VNV Nation.
Primarily just 2 guys, Ronan Harris & Mark Jackson. But all the lyrics are written by Ronan.
Ronan is essentially a poet who was lucky to team up with Mark. As I once described a live show of theirs, the pounding industrial beats & music opens your veins for Ronan to inject the lyrics straight into your bloodstream....
I have good friends in Hamburg who know Ronan quite well. One of them asked Ronan where he got the inspiration for his lyrics. Normally quite a verbose & chatty man, he simply patted his pocket & said, "notebook."
Looking at a song like "Beloved" or "Forsaken" & you wonder why it was put to music at all!!! (But when you hear the song, you're glad it was)
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