Programgirl Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 ... 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulc Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 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. The Womb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Winger Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barandine Vondenger Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 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! Frank Ranklin and the Ranktones WARP SPEED ONLY STREAM FRANKIE RANKLIN (Stanky Franks) <<< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Programgirl Posted July 30, 2005 Author Share Posted July 30, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Nursers Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 Originally posted by Winston A. Jones: 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! Hi arell, Nice to hear from you The Keyboard Chronicles Podcast Check out your fellow forumites in an Apple Music playlist Check out your fellow forumites in a Spotify playlist My Music: Stainless Fields Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barandine Vondenger Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 OY! g'day mate. hows tricks> Frank Ranklin and the Ranktones WARP SPEED ONLY STREAM FRANKIE RANKLIN (Stanky Franks) <<< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric VB Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Programgirl Posted August 4, 2005 Author Share Posted August 4, 2005 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Nursers Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Originally posted by Barandine Vondenger: OY! g'day mate. hows tricks> Tricks are good The Keyboard Chronicles Podcast Check out your fellow forumites in an Apple Music playlist Check out your fellow forumites in a Spotify playlist My Music: Stainless Fields Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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