Where To Start?

hello tiff harvey11 - The name for a song is a perfectly good place to start. So . . . to get the rest of song underway, try this - what is it about the name that is interesting to you?  Why would it make a good song title . . . there are probably some ideas and words that are related to the title in your mind.

Chances are that with a little bit of free association  you can come up with a few choice words or phrases that seem to be somehow part of the title's stream of thought.  Jot all those words & phases down.

Take a look at what you got and then just keep jotting phrases or words that come to mind.  Eventually, you may stumble on some ideas that go "click" and you can start coming up with a few lines.

Don't try to make it all perfect right from the start - just keep chipping away at it until it starts to gel.  Don't fall into the trap of feeling that you've got to finish one song before you start another - just make it a habit of trying to have ideas and trying to use the ideas.

Hope this helps . . . songwriting can be fun and it can be frustrating (but it's alot cheaper than golf or gambling or other pursuits).

i agree with both of u... James i've never thought of writing that way (i write stories, and music, but i'm not confident enough to put it up here yet)

but usually i write the song then think up the title.  but sometimes your title might not be in  the actual song, like in a  lot of zeppelin songs such as trampled underfoot,immigrant song, and black dog.  inspiration can come from anything.  my advice: when you come up with a title think of anything associated with the words in the title i.e. childhood memories, dreams, even definitions.

good luck

absolutley agree, just let somthing flow out of you wheter an idea or a like if you were to tell somebdy womthing that happened to you that day, don't worry about going into depth you just need them to get the point. Also, the title really doesn't need to be associated, look at song title from people, like Pink Floyd, Zepp, Panic!, Brand New, SOD, etc.

hey hey!

read. read everything you can get your hands on...

newspapers, magazines, novels, short stories, calanders,

cracker boxes, soup cans, shampoo bottles, etc. etc.

keep a notebook handy and jot down words and phrases

that leap out at you. sift once a month or so...

arrange and rearrange ( sort of like doing a puzzle!)

it's great fun and you can sometimes come up with a real gem.

peace, slim.

Saw ZombiE's peanut label post early this morning and wrote this mostly during church . . .

<div class="song"><link rel="StyleSheet" href="../css/chordie.css" type="text/css" media="screen" title="Chordie style"><div id="singlesong"><div id="singlesongc"><div class="header"><h1 class="finaltitle"> These Peanuts</h1><h2 class="finalartist" style="text-decoration: none">by, James McCormick, January 21, 2007</h2></div><div class="song"><div id="firstcol"><div class="textline"><span class="comment">Respectfully dedicated to ZombiE in Iraq.</span>

</div><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are genuine, these <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts are so real

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are perfect, full of <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>pea-nutty ap-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peal

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts got peanuts inside, these <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are plain

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts have no additives, so <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>don't you <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>dare com-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>plain.

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are sweet legumes

</div><div class="chordline">U-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>pon some vines they grew

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts came from someone's farm,

</div><div class="chordline">Be-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>fore they found their way to <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D7</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>you

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they ain't crazy, they're <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>just some little nuts

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts have no feelings, these <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts have no <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>guts

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts don't need batteries, no as-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>sembly do they need

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts are for you to eat, satis-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>faction <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>guaran-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>teed

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they ain't fancy,

</div><div class="chordline">But they're <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lot's of fun to chew

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts will go great with beer

</div></div><div id="secondcol"><div class="chordline">So <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>let's all have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D7</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>few

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts don't go up your nose, don't <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>stick 'em in your ear

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts are meant to for your to eat, we <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>hope that that is <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>clear

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they were grown in dirt, with <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>sunshine and with rain

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts when chewed thoroughly will not <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>cause you <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>any <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>pain

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts in reality

</div><div class="chordline">are sex <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>organs of a vine

</div><div class="chordline">And <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>if you think that that is gross

</div><div class="chordline">I'll <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>tell you more about food some-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D7</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>time

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are genuine, these <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts are so real

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are perfect, full of <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>pea-nutty ap-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peal

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts got peanuts inside, these <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts they are plain

</div><div class="chordline">These <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>peanuts have no additives, so <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>don't you <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>dare com-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>plain.

</div>
</div></div><div class="grids"><img class="chord" alt="C" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i8/Cchord_N32010_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="D" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i2/Dchord_NN0232_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="D7" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i7/D7chord_NN0212_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="G" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i0/Gchord_320003_1.png" /> </div></div></div><div style="display:none">

{t:These Peanuts}

{st:by, James McCormick, January 21, 2007}

{c:Respectfully dedicated to ZombiE in Iraq.}

These [G]peanuts they are genuine, these [C]peanuts are so real

These [D]peanuts they are perfect, full of [C]pea-nutty ap-[G]peal

These [G]peanuts got peanuts inside, these [C]peanuts they are plain

These [D]peanuts have no additives, so [C]don't you [D]dare com-[G]plain.

{soc}

These [C]peanuts they are sweet legumes

U-[G]pon some vines they grew

These [C]peanuts came from someone's farm,

Be-[D]fore they found their way to [D7]you

{eoc}

These [G]peanuts they ain't crazy, they're [C]just some little nuts

These [D]peanuts have no feelings, these [C]peanuts have no [G]guts

These [G]peanuts don't need batteries, no as-[C]sembly do they need

These [D]peanuts are for you to eat, satis-[C]faction [D]guaran-[G]teed

{soc}

These [C]peanuts they ain't fancy,

But they're [G]lot's of fun to chew

These [C]peanuts will go great with beer

So [D]let's all have a [D7]few

{eoc}

These [G]peanuts don't go up your nose, don't [C]stick 'em in your ear

These [D]peanuts are meant to for your to eat, we [C]hope that that is [G]clear

These [G]peanuts they were grown in dirt, with [C]sunshine and with rain

These [D]peanuts when chewed thoroughly will not [C]cause you [D]any [G]pain

{soc}

These [C]peanuts in reality

are sex [G]organs of a vine

And [C]if you think that that is gross

I'll [D]tell you more about food some-[D7]time

{eoc}

These [G]peanuts they are genuine, these [C]peanuts are so real

These [D]peanuts they are perfect, full of [C]pea-nutty ap-[G]peal

These [G]peanuts got peanuts inside, these [C]peanuts they are plain

These [D]peanuts have no additives, so [C]don't you [D]dare com-[G]plain.

</div>

<img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">

james, you really need to get these copyrighted and sell them to an advertising company.

Ken