Need help with songs.

I've written a total of two songs, so my advice is bound to be pretty sorry.  Nevertheless, what I've learned helps is to have a rhythm or pattern in mind when putting together the lyrics.  I get kind of a plan of what I want to say, then I come up with some words that will rhyme (or almost rhyme) to end the stanzas, and then I come up with a basis for the rhythm and chord patterns.  Then, and only then, do I fill in the rest of the lyrics so that when the lyrics are done, so is the song.  More or less.  Always some tweeking to do. 

Hope that helps even though I don't even expect it's worth a half-penny for those thoughts.

- Zurf

I have pretty much a set routine when I write. Firstly I concentrate on a chord progression. Find two progressions that sound good. One for the verse and one for the chorus. Normally I try and start the chorus on a different chord than the verse.

Once I have my progressions sorted out I find a rhythym that or strum pattern that suits the chords and then I build the lyrics and the melody in sync. Starting from the words is very difficult as it posses so many restrictions on your music.

Havinf said all of this, if you have some good lyrics already, I would suggest trying to find a chord progression that suits what you have written and put them to a strum pattern to that works with it then re arrange your lyrics to suit the music you have created.

Hope that helps.

hi bluesky, like the yellow sub

songs come in different ways, sometimes i get an inspiration for some words and a tune comes with them, but if i dont record it straight away then i forget how the music goes and i usually have to rewrite the words to fit the new tune!! occasionally the whole thing comes as if i'd heard it on the radio, so i guess all i can say is; we all write in our own way, try just tinkling on a guitar or keyboard until a chord sequence forms a melody, then words will follow, then comes the hard part, get them to make sense to other people
hope this helps

phill

just play around with the barre chords till you come up with sumthin u like.... thats what i do. Once you got your chord progression you can build the lead

All You Need is Love

Hi GoodbyeBluesky

If you already have lyrics that you are happy with, try putting your self in a place where you have no distractions(no ipods,no friends,no phone, no TV).A place where you are comfortable and happy.Take only one of your favorite songs with you and run it through your mind running through all different styles of melodies.You will be surprised what you can come up with, with no distractions.Try not to force the melody,it will come.Work on maybe just the chorus or just the verse.
A walk in the park or alone in your room,anyplace where you can't be distracted.

Hope that helps you.
Kap

I am trying hard to solve you're problem because I can start and complete a song with-in an hour's time.I guess I need to know where these lyrics are coming from,are they just off the top of you're head?I ask this because most song lyrics are a manifestation from the rythem in you're heart,or a beat in you're soul.Maybe I would need to see a little of you're work to understand.I have been playing and writing for 45 years and have a little of everyone's soul in my character.All I can recommend is that you add you're heart into what you are writing and it will come together.
                                                      Rick