How to overcome the lyric writing hurdles that are keeping you
behind.
The lyric writing side of songwriting is known to create an
enormous number of problems for some folks. No matter how hard
they try, they are unable to write a single line that they can
be pleased with.
In many cases these very same people make phenomenal
advancements in writing music and melodies. However they just
can't seem to figure out how to come up with suitable lyrics to
match them.
If you are facing such a situation, there's probably no need to
worry. By taking certain appropriate steps you should be able to
overcome lyric writing hurdles and write songs that deliver.
(1) Here are some essential ideas for overcoming these hurdles.
1. Collaboration
If you're very good at writing melodies but can't seem to write
a single line, one solution might be collaboration. Instead of
beating your head against the wall for ideas, find someone who
is very good at writing lyrics and work together. You may be
surprised at the wonders that can emanate from a combination of
his excellence at writing lyrics and your brilliance at writing
melodies.
2. Lyric writing tools
Perhaps you may be hoping for some other solution. While you
don't mind the idea of collaboration, you want to allow yourself
to get better at writing lyrics, instead of leaving it to
someone else.
As far as I'm concerned, the importance of laying hold on good
songwriting "tools" should never be underestimated. Educate
yourself as much as you can. Make use of songwriting books,
programs, courses, software, articles or whatever valuable
resources that you have at your disposal.
3. Motivation
You've probably heard it said a thousand times ... Without
motivation, you won't go very far. This also applies to your
lyric writing. While the songwriting "tools" outlined above can
help you improve, without adequate motivation failure is
inevitable.
(2) Here are a few tips to help you generate lyric writing ideas.
1. Use different lyrics to bring the same message across.
Choose a theme which is known to have made a few hits. What
message does this theme bring across? Write different lyrics
that bring the same message across. A typical example of this is
John Denver's "I'm Leaving on a Jetplane" and Wyclef Jean's
"Gone till November". These songs made hits in different eras.
Their basic message was similar ... Baby, you don't need to cry
because I'll return.
2. Add a unique twist to a cliche.
Turn on your radio and you will hear cliches being repeated over
and over. Using these very same cliches is simply a futile
exercise. My suggestion is to add a unique twist to these
cliches. This is something I am focusing on more and more.
A typical example of adding a unique twist to a cliche is found
in Dianne Warren's "Unbreak my Heart" made popular by Toni
Braxton. The ever popular cliche, "break my heart", was twisted.
(3) Here are three lyric writing suggestions.
1. Write a song about a particular incident. Your song should
tell a story.
2. Write lyrics that have absolutely nothing to do with anything
you've actually experienced.
3. Get lyric writing ideas from newspapers, magazines, movies,
TV and so on.
Overcoming lyric writing hurdles involves a lot of
determination, hard work and perseverance on your part.
Implement the suggestions presented above and move one step
closer to lyric writing success.