|
Songwriting Guides Writing a song
Ideas
Where do great songwriters find their ideas? How is it that they can move us to tears with the simplest of lines? The best writers do this by writing about common subjects such as love, but take a new and fresh angle on the subject matter. This interests and entertains the listener, shedding new light on a familiar subject. It also includes the listener, talking about familiar things that they can relate to. For example:
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
You say it best... when you say nothing at all
When You Say Nothing At All (Schlitz/Overstreet)
|
Don't censor yourself. If you have a strange or unusual idea for a song, use it. Steve Hillier
|
|
This is a simple love song concerning two people devoted to each other. There's nothing remarkable in that, but the interesting angle is that words cannot communicate the depth of their love, which is best done by the things they do for each other. This is a sentiment we can all relate to but we rarely talk about it: a perfect idea for a song.
Here are some tips to guide towards fresh ideas for your songs:
- Keep a notebook on you at all times. It's impossible to predict when inspiration will strike, and sometimes just as difficult to remember what you thought. Jot down simple notes as you go about your day for you to refer to when you next write a song.
- Keep a diary - sometimes your most difficult times will be your greatest source of inspiration.
- Don't censor yourself. If you have a strange or unusual idea for a song, use it. If you still feel that your song is too unusual when you've finished writing it you can change it at that point. Most times you won't want to.
- Many writers have been inspired by great works of fiction or art: 'Mona Lisa' by Nat King Cole, 'Romeo and Juliet' by Dire Straits and 'Wuthering Heights' by Kate Bush are three examples. Idea creation starts with inspiration so get some culture!
- If you want to write excellent songs, try immersing yourself in great music
- Some writers are inspired by the titles used in magazine articles. These are often snappy, and can make great starting points for songs.
|
Songwriting Guides
Writing a Song
Genre
Structure
Verse
Chorus
Melody
Tempo / Rhythm
Harmony
Lyrics
Beginnings
Endings
Ideas
Rhyme
Middle 8
Hooks
Performing
Working with Other Writers
In the Studio
Publishers
Record Companies
Management
Staying on Track
|
|
ÌýThe Songwriting Game |
|
|
|
|
|
Pick a chord
Play with chords and find out what kind of songwriter you are with the Songwriting Game.
|
|
|
|
ÌýDON'T MISS |
|
|
|
|
|
Doves Special guests on Dermot's show this week
|
|
|
|
|
|