#517891 - 07/28/05 09:56 PM
I'm Curious
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Programgirl
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Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 1936
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... About writing lyrics.
Did any of you start out as poets? If so, how did you make the transition to lyricist?
I've been writing off and on for ages, and I've recently started to really pick it back up. Not long ago, some friends put some music to a poem I wrote and that got me wondering if I was up to the task of actually composing lyrics.
It's tough - when I write I never hear music with it, and I wouldn't even know how to begin.
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#517892 - 07/29/05 12:02 PM
Re: I'm Curious
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Fulc
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Registered: 10/29/03
Posts: 227
Loc: here I am, you're looking at m...
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There is a fine distinction to be made between lyrics and poetry-- one is a subset of the other. Others here can probably go into greater detail about the differences and similarities.
I didn't start out as a poet, but I managed to read a fair amount of it in college. My professors never encouraged me to write anything I didn't want to, so I stuck with short stories.
I basically just started writing words to go along with songs I was composing. Because I was working in the domain of pop song, I decided that some of the words should rhyme, which led me to an investigation of the prosody of pop song form and the lyrical forms that tend to get hung on that framework. You may think that as an explanation, that's maybe a little bit pat, but really that's how I fell into it.
As for you... someone has decided that they hear the music you don't hear as you're writing. Be flattered. And be encouraged to keep going.
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#517893 - 07/29/05 11:44 PM
Re: I'm Curious
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Red Winger
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Registered: 08/19/03
Posts: 1246
Loc: SJ, Cal-ee-fon-ya
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Frankly, I think a strong lyric will often pull out the music. It sets the mood to convey through the music. Although, sometimes its just as interesting to go in the exact opposite direction (e.g., taking a dark lyric and putting it to a light, pop-style melody and chord structure).
In any event, if you are writing poems, keep it up.  Don't worry about the music, that can come later. If you really are stuck trying to put your words to music, maybe you team up with someone. Some of the best songs come from teams where the lyrics come from one person and the music another (thinks Bernie Taupin/Elton John, Bono/Edge, etc.).
[/Dr. Phil moment] 
--Mark
_________________________
"I don't know anything about music. In my line, you don't have to."
-Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
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#517894 - 07/30/05 09:24 AM
Re: I'm Curious
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Barandine Vondenger
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Registered: 03/03/03
Posts: 1928
Loc: Terra: area 223761-g
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lyrics should effectively and affectively tell a story.
poems are just a particular way of telling a story.
POEMS are Very limiteing in their own way. Full of firm Form and strict structure, not to be deviated from or it's WRONG. skwoo dot mon'!
I like telling my stories in my own way.
Prose is.
here is the foist voise of me latest daring ditty dealing with a really meaty subject.
it be titled: BIG BUT
My girlfriend
she got a big ol' butt
my girlfriend, my girlfriend
she got a big ol' butt
that's alright, that's alright
, that's alright
you see I love that stuff
poetry? maybe not, yet it has it's charms.
oh yes indeedy. ahahahaha!
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#517895 - 07/30/05 03:33 PM
Re: I'm Curious
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Programgirl
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Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 1936
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Heh, thanks Barandine. That is certainly an interesting way of looking at it that I hadn't considered before. (the story telling aspect and limits of poetry I mean - not your girlfriends butt). That really gives me something to think about.
Red Winger and fulcrum - thank you for your thoughts and encouragement.
I really appreciate the feedback. I can't say with any degree of certainty that I am passionate enough to change the way I express my thoughts, or if I could even find someone who does hear the music to make a contribution. It sounds like something that could potentially be easy for me to do if change itself weren't so hard. You know?
Anyway, thanks.
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#517897 - 07/31/05 02:54 PM
Re: I'm Curious
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Barandine Vondenger
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Registered: 03/03/03
Posts: 1928
Loc: Terra: area 223761-g
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OY! g'day mate. hows tricks>
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#517898 - 08/03/05 09:01 PM
Re: I'm Curious
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RicBassGuy
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 3654
Loc: Metro Detroit, MI
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Uh, I can barely put two words together, let alone write poetry or a full lyric. So I'd say "no", I wasn't a poet first.
Good to hear you're writing poetry. Like it was said, nothing wrong with pairing your words with a composer's music.
Check out the Collaboration Corner forum if you're interested in an online collaboration.
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#517899 - 08/04/05 01:54 AM
Re: I'm Curious
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Programgirl
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Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 1936
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Thanks Ric, that's good info.
A funny thing happened....
I was hearing music in my head and suddenly I just started writing words down to go with it. Maybe I just needed to ask in order to set it loose....
Or maybe your advice was all it took to give me a nod in the right direction. (cue Twilight Zone theme)
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