Hey everyone, thanks again for logging in to read our blog posts, we appreciate all your support. This week I wanted to focus on lyric writing and the importance of lyrics within a song. Now, I am by no means diminishing the importance of melody writing, structure or production, however I feel as a writer, lyrics hold a unique way of bringing a song to life. Songwriting in itself is story telling, so the words we use are important. It can be described as poetry set to sound. We often listen to music for the beat, or feel it for its emotions, whether that be at a party, salsa class or watching our favourite movie with all the emotions portrayed by an orchestra. In a way, music speaks for itself. “Where words fail, music speaks” -Hans Christian Andersen
However, with no context or background, a song can be interpreted in anyway the listener chooses. If as a writer you have a specific message to portray, this is where understanding the use of lyrical writing, rhyme schemes and imagery can aid you as a storyteller. Lyrics don’t necessarily have to rhyme or read like a poem. That’s the beauty of it. I have found however, including some form or rhythm to the syllables or sounds you use, enables the song to flow. They all work together, words follow the music and music expresses the words. Unless you want to get super philosophical and make the two contrast each other, but that is a conversation of creative expression for another time!
Inspiration
Sometimes the main thing holding us back from writing good and meaningful lyrics is knowing where to start. Often a good idea is all that’s needed to ignite a great song. If you sit there twiddling your thumbs as I often have when writing, here are some useful techniques.
1. Mood boards and pictures - A good exercise is simply going onto google and finding some colourful, scenic, or thought provoking pictures. Ask yourself some questions about the picture. What might the picture represent, how does it make you feel, what can you see, what might you smell, taste, touch and hear if you were in the picture? This can help you begin, instead of staring at a blank page with no clue what to write.
2. Poetry or other pieces of writing - An important thing to remember about this exercise is to only use other peoples writing as inspiration, do not copy anything you don’t have licence too. However, reading a poem that sets a scene can encourage your own story with similar imagery.
3. Object writing - This is a brilliant technique, one I learnt from a great book “Writing Better Lyrics” by Patt Pattison. The idea is to take an object, anything you like, and draw on your senses. What is the object, what does it look like, how does it make you feel, where might it have been found, what is it used for, who does it belong too, why do they have it? Asking these questions can help you form a character for your song and a reason why they might feel something. It’s a great exercise to keep your creative juices flowing.
4. Letter writing - I have often used this technique in my own writing. It can be a great way to personalise a song and make it feel more real for the listener. Grab a pen and paper and write a letter to someone. It can be anyone you like, as real or as made up as you please. Draw on your own relationships and experiences. What might you like to say to someone you could never say out-loud? What would you wish someone would say to you? Use that to create a relational conversation that can be broken down into a love song or pop anthem! This is a great way to practice writing from different narratives. Using first or third person can change the mood of a song quickly.
5. Use a Thesaurus - This seems a simple thing to suggest, but countless times I have had to google a word that fits into my song thats a little more unusual. Rhymezone.com is a brilliant resource, not only is it a thesaurus, but it gives many examples and suggestions of words that rhyme with something else you might be using.
Rhyme Schemes and Song Analysis
Although not all songs have to rhyme, personally I love the flow of a verse or chorus where the words connect. Picking different songs and analysing the rhyming schemes can help you figure out which style you prefer or suits the type of song you’re writing. Rhymes do not have to come at the end of a line, they can be placed anywhere the writer chooses, however the two most common rhyming schemes are: AABB, one line rhyming with the next, or ABAB, where each line rhymes with the line after the next. An example of the first, a rhyming couplet, might look like this,
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"
Romeo, save me, they're tryna tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes" - Taylor Swift Love Story 2008
There are four rhymes in total with two lines linking at the end. Partial rhymes are a great way to make a song flow, yet without the cheesiness a full rhyme can bring. Alone and Run in the first two lines display this perfectly. Spoken aloud they don’t rhyme at all, yet pronunciation within a song enables partial rhymes to sound similar with the vowel sounds used.
An example of the second common rhyme scheme
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
This is similar to rhyming couplets, however the rhymes are split by the one that precedes it.
You can use these as a guide when starting to write, however, the beauty of songwriting is you can rhyme and flow your lyrics as you see fit. A favourite song of mine “Promises,” by Maverick City, use the ABAB technique, yet drop the second pair of rhymes.
I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He'll never let me down, - Promises Maverick City 2020
Only the second and fourth line rhyme.
Different roles of lyrics
The topic of lyrics is so broad that I may have to do a part two to this blog post! However, before I finish I think it is important to identify the roles of lyrics. Much like the role of yourself as the songwriting, lyrics tell a story. The way they do this can differ.
Specific - Lyrics can be to the point and very literal. A song may contain no metaphors or imagery and simply say it as it is. This is a great and unique way to grab the attention of the listener, especially if musically the song contains thought provoking or interesting musical sections in contrast.
You're so vain (you're so vain)
I bet you think this song is about you
Don't you don't you? - Carly Simon 1972
Although not completely free of metaphors, this song with its chorus, is straight to the point, no frilly lyrics, yet it is so memorable.
Expressive - Power ballads and love songs often use heart felt lyrics that express how the person in the song is feeling. Often used in letter writing or first person narrative, which can allow your song to become personal.
Metaphorical - Metaphors can really draw upon the imagination and leave songs up to interpretation, which is great in keeping a song alive. Often object writing and images used in the song writing process can help with this. It gives us as writers new ways of saying something, that might be over used within cliche love songs or stories.
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry? - Bob Dylan Blowin' in the Wind 1963
Bob Dylan uses metaphors and imagery in “Blowin’ in the Wind” to express how he felt there were no answers to the political arguments of his time. “How many ears must one man have” is a clever way to express frustration over the needs of innocent people going unheard. Dylan used this technique beautifully to express many things people had said before in a way that was unique.
The depth of technique and resources out there for writing lyrics is so wide. Lyric writing part two will be in the works for a future blog. If anyone has any questions or info surrounding this topic you would like us to include please drop us a message. I know we are planning a very interesting blog around writers block and finding your flow, so keep an eye out for those! Thanks for taking the time to read todays blog and we look forward to next week!
Jessy
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