Songs embody experiences common to everyone: first love, frustration of
misunderstanding..etc.
Every trully successful song expresses a universally understood meaning.
Songs that resonate with universally felt emotions foster strong identification
between the performer and the audience.
Songs can put us in touch with our feelings.
A completed poem is self-sufficient; it is ready for its audience. A finished
lyric is an unfinished product. It is half a potential song.
Because unlike a poem, which exists on paper, a song exists in time, its
meaning should be instantly clear.
Every word should sing.
Poem: abstract and philosophical; a lyricist should make it personal and
conversational-Two qualities that are essential in contemporary songs.
The features of a winning lyric
An identifieable idea
A memorable title : First there is a title that hits like a bullet, then,
I have begun.
A strong begining
A song with a title distinct enough to compete with the sounds of conversation,
a vacuum cleanter, a fire truck..
It is the first line that gives the inspiration and then it’s like riding
a bull. Either you just stick with it, or you don’t. (Bob Dylan)
When you can pull your listener into the song with an opening line, you
will have masteed a vital technique of good craftsmanship.
Coming full circle:Returning at its end to a significant word or line from
the outset, thereby underscoring the theme by repeating it.
Study the best of the past and analyse the techniques used to come to a
payoff. Every time you try a new technique and make it yours, you add one
more building block to a solid foundation of craft.
When we listen to a song, we are continously sorting out what we are currently
hearing, what we have heard, and what we expect to hear. Ear will look
for clear design. A listenr should be able to see the structre effortlessly.
After yo have an IDENTIFIEABLE IDEA, MEMORABLE TITLE, STRONG OPENING, the
next step is to put them in a form. The lyricist situation is a little
like that of a novice chef with a bowl of melted chocolate, eggs, flour,
and sugar: Now what?
What kind of song you have?: Content dectates form!
It’s no surprise that many lyricists prefer to put words to existing music,
because it eliminates the dilemma of structure.
