| Lyric writing is much like any other style of writing, | | | | can do this with as many of the words you like. |
| the more time you spend working on it, the more | | | | Some of these extra words will have no use for |
| you will grow as a writer. So what exactly are lyrics? | | | | what you are working on but there may be those |
| Song lyrics can basically be thought of as singable | | | | one or two words that will fit perfectly. |
| poetry. The Oxford dictionary defines the word | | | | Rhyming Dictionaries - These particular dictionaries are |
| ‘lyric’ as 1) (of poetry) expressing the | | | | specifically generated for poets and lyricists. They do |
| poet’s thoughts and feelings, usually briefly | | | | not define words as most dictionaries do; they |
| and in stanzas, songlike (a lyric poem) 2) (lyrics) the | | | | merely list words that rhyme. Some scorn the use of |
| words of a song. By using this definition, we can | | | | this particular tool, sighting that it is all too easy to |
| assume that the process of writing lyrics draws from | | | | rely solely on the list of rhymes than to put a little |
| some of the same techniques used in poetry. | | | | thought into your rhyming structure. It is also true |
| Why write lyrics? This may seem like an odd | | | | that many people waste a considerable amount of |
| question, there are literary hundreds of answers to | | | | time listing the words they know to rhyme only to |
| this, but it is something you will need to ask yourself | | | | lose the train of thought they were on thus, killing |
| before you start. Is it because you have a story to | | | | the creative process. If used sensibly, like a |
| tell, because you want to express a particular | | | | thesaurus, a rhyming dictionary can be a very useful |
| emotion to your audience? Some write purely for | | | | tool. |
| themselves, like a kind of personal therapy. Or | | | | Other Dictionaries - There are other dictionaries |
| perhaps it’s simply because the human voice is | | | | available that may be of use to a lyricist. One that |
| an important part of the style of music they are | | | | comes to mind is the ‘slang’ dictionary. |
| written for. | | | | I’ve only seen an “Australian Dictionary |
| What do you want to say? Most lyrics are written | | | | of Slang”. Most countries use their own form |
| with a message or some kind of effect in mind. You | | | | of slang so I would assume that there are others |
| will need to have a clear idea of what you want out | | | | available. It really depends on what you are working |
| of the lyrics or you will run the risk of creating weak | | | | on and who your target audience is, but they may |
| lyrics. Weak lyrics tend to resort to clichéd, | | | | help to put that finishing touch, or stamp of |
| generic and boring phrases when they are written | | | | authenticity on a piece. Check your local bookshop |
| solely to ‘fit’ the tune. On the other | | | | for the range of other dictionaries available. |
| hand, don’t be carried away with the | | | | Other Means - What other tools are available? There |
| message, make it a point for the lyrics to be | | | | are many other ways to help with the creative |
| somewhat cryptic. Do not ‘spoon feed’ | | | | process. Listening to a wide range of music can be |
| your audience, plant the seed of your idea and let | | | | helpful, don’t just listen to your normal |
| the audience come to their own conclusions. | | | | ‘style’ of music, there are thousands of |
| As with all forms of creativity, lyrics are an | | | | different music styles around, explore these |
| expression of personal ideas, beliefs and themes. | | | | possibilities. Music has been inspiring people for |
| Lyric writing is just a matter of expressing these | | | | thousands of years, so it seems logical to turn to it |
| beliefs and feelings. As with most forms of writing, it | | | | when it comes to your own musical venture. |
| is best to write about what you know. Because | | | | You may not like some particular styles of music, but |
| everybody has their own experiences, emotions and | | | | you can get an idea from them that you can convert |
| beliefs, it becomes hard to give an exact instruction | | | | or merge to your chosen genre. If done correctly, it |
| on how to write, everyone has their own opinions on | | | | has the potential of being a powerful piece of music |
| how it should be done. The most I can do in this | | | | that is unique. This is why it is important to be open |
| series is give a guide about how to go about finding | | | | to all styles and ideas. Some of the most |
| your own style by learning from the music that you | | | | ‘controversial’ bands have reached the |
| listen to. This is a great way to learn, as many of the | | | | popularity they have, simply because they have a |
| bands you listen to have learned, and draw | | | | unique sound and the ‘message’ they |
| influences, from other established artists. | | | | want to convey is something that their fans can |
| There are several ways you can write lyrics: | | | | relate to. |
| * Create a melody & write lyrics to accompany | | | | Bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Staind, Linkin Park and |
| it; or | | | | Disturbed are given the music ‘title’ of |
| * Write a set of lyrics & add the melody to it; | | | | nu-metal (or nu-music) simply because they utilize a |
| or | | | | wide range of musical sub-genres within the |
| * A combination of the above two examples, i.e. do | | | | ‘rock’ genre. This can be seen in other |
| both at the same time. | | | | more established merges such as |
| So, where do you actually start with the writing | | | | ‘country-rock’, ‘pop-rock’ |
| process? Well, there are countless possible ways (too | | | | and the recent surfacing of ‘Latin-pop |
| many to mention here). It really is a matter of | | | | rock’. If you look throughout music history |
| preference; every lyricist has his or her own style, | | | | (particularly that of ‘rock & roll’) |
| much like any artist. A couple of simple ways that | | | | you can see this trend more clearly. What do I mean |
| are an excellent way to begin are as follows: | | | | by mixing the different genres? Below are some |
| 1) Start with a possible hook line or chorus and work | | | | examples of what I mean. |
| around it | | | | * ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen is a |
| An example of this can be taken from | | | | perfect example of genre mixing. The song has three |
| Coldplay’s hit “Yellow”. The song | | | | distinct phase changes within it. It starts off similar to |
| was derived from a first line that came about from | | | | many ballads, then phase changes to a ‘light |
| where the band was on the night, as explained in | | | | opera-ish’ stage, and phase changes to |
| October’s SOS: “‘Yellow’ | | | | ‘rock’ before changing back to the |
| was written at Rockfield when we where there. The | | | | ‘ballad’. |
| studio we were in is called the Quadrangle Studio | | | | * Another trend that is starting up is adapting a song |
| – the studio is along one side of an open | | | | from one style of music and transforming it to |
| courtyard, and we went out one night, and because | | | | another. An example of this can be taken from many |
| there were so few lights, the stars were just | | | | of Staind’s songs. The album version of their |
| amazing. Guy just came up with the line ‘Look | | | | song ‘Can’t Believe’ has a |
| at the stars.’” | | | | distinguished ‘rock’ sound. But if you |
| 2) Start with a title and work around it. | | | | listen to the MTV: Unplugged version, you will notice |
| For example, using “Written in Sand” as | | | | that (although the music has the same tune) it is |
| your title, you can brain-storm around this idea: The | | | | acoustic and is sung in a more ballad-like tune. |
| phrase suggests that which can be washed away; it | | | | * -- * In Australia, the radio station Triple M’s |
| also brings the phrase ‘written in stone’ | | | | Breakfast Show has a ‘Musical |
| to mind; the word “sand” brings to mind | | | | Challenge’ in place where they put musicians |
| the words like flowing & changing, which brings | | | | (both local & international) “to the |
| the words time & water. The word | | | | test”. The Challenge: give a song to a band |
| “written” suggests fate or destiny. So a | | | | which is the total opposite to their normal style and |
| possibility that the song will be about how you can | | | | get them to ‘remake’ it. Triple M has |
| change your destiny. Now there is a basic theme that | | | | released some of these songs on CD (proceeds |
| you can work around. | | | | going to charity) if your interested in listening. Some |
| Tools Of The Trade | | | | of the songs used: Radiohead’s |
| What are the tools of a lyricist? One would obviously | | | | “Creep” performed by country singer |
| think a pen and paper (or a computer & word | | | | Gina Jeffreys (one of the stations most requested |
| processor) plus the creative mind of the lyricist and | | | | songs); Coolio’s “Gangsta’s |
| the possible use of a musical instrument. There are | | | | Paradise” performed by rock musician Richard |
| other tools available for the lyricist to take advantage | | | | Clapton, Men At Work’s “Down |
| of, these may seem painfully obvious, but they are | | | | Under” performed by The Russian Red Army |
| quite often overlooked by many people. | | | | Choir (now one of their most popular songs); |
| Dictionary – A dictionary is an essential tool for | | | | Silverchair’s “Freak” performed |
| any writer, not only for spelling but word meanings. | | | | by country singer Troy Cassar-Daley; the list goes on. |
| English is a dynamic language, words are constantly | | | | It’s well worth the listen. |
| being added so it is important to keep an updated | | | | Apart from listening to these different forms, you |
| dictionary on hand, a 20-year-old dictionary | | | | could simply go to a site like and just read the lyric |
| may’ no longer contain the latest words and | | | | form of different musical styles. You can easily use |
| meanings. It is important not to be too abstruse for | | | | the above example and apply it to just the lyric |
| your audience but neither is there the need to | | | | process of some of these artists and merge it to |
| overuse the same monosyllabic words. It may be of | | | | your own music. There is a wealth of knowledge to |
| use to keep a couple of different dictionaries (i.e. | | | | be discovered from established artists, only if you |
| Oxford & Macquarie) this is because some word | | | | are willing to look. It may not be |
| meanings may differ slightly, and can be used to | | | | ‘conventional’ but then, throughout |
| colour your lyrics. | | | | history, music has been about breaking down |
| Thesaurus - A good dictionary can be supplemented | | | | pre-existing barriers |
| with a thesaurus. The use of a thesaurus is a great | | | | As you can see, there is a lot more available to the |
| way to avoid over-using words and can even inspire | | | | lyricist besides the simple pen and paper. If used |
| your ideas leading them to new directions. This can | | | | wisely these various tools can help to hone your skills |
| be very usefully whilst brainstorming. | | | | as a lyricist, bringing the best out of your work. |
| * -- * This is just a simple word-association game; | | | | Naturally, there may be other tools available that |
| that you can easily apply to any word. Look up the | | | | haven’t been mentioned here that the lyricist |
| word ‘remains’ in your thesaurus, you | | | | can use. By all means, use whatever comes to mind. |
| are shown: debris, fragments, leavings, leftovers, | | | | You are only limited by your imagination. |
| remnants, and scraps. Now look up | | | | Look out for Part 2 of this series, where you will |
| ‘debris’ and you will find it also has: | | | | learn how to accompany words with music by writing |
| flotsam, litter, pieces, refuse, rubbish, rubble, ruins, | | | | Alternate Lyrics. |
| wreckage and waste to add to your word list. You | | | | |