David Shorten

What a boring sounding title…

As many of you probably know, since I complain about it so much, I suck at writing lyrics. It’s really frustrating because I want to be a musician. And even though I love instrumentals, according to my friends, people prefer music with lyrics. My guess is that they like having something to sing along to. To be honest, I highly doubt it has much to do with the message. If that were true, people wouldn’t listen to artists who shamelessly project immoral images of women, artists whose lyrics are so abstract that you can only pretend you have the slightest idea of what they mean, or artists who just relentlessly remind you that “tonight’s gonna be a good night,” and tell you to “get retarded.” Still, if I’m going to write lyrics, I want them to be good so the people with taste won’t make fun of me.

I should make it clear ahead of time that this post is written from an observatory point of view. I’m only going to point out what I see other artists doing. I won’t be giving any advice, since I’m the last person to take advice from on the topic. I thought it might be interesting though, and it may be helpful to others who are interested in lyric writing.

I find that when I sit down and attempt to write some words, I get nowhere because I have no starting point; no idea whatsoever where to even begin. Whereas, when I write music, I start with either a melody or a chord progression, a key, a time signature, and usually a general feel for what the song’s going to sound like. I feel like it might help me to have a similar starting point when I write lyrics. The aspects of poetry though, are completely different than the aspects of music. Instead, you have things like a subject, a form, a rhyme scheme maybe, ect… but there’s my problem: I don’t know as much about poetry as I do about music. So that’s why I decided to separate different types of lyrical techniques into groups. Then when I want to write, I can pick a technique that would work with the point I want to get across and stick to its characteristics, instead of just winging it. So here are my six groups:

Subject Analysis:

Basically, the authors of these types of songs a) pick a subject and b) describe it. That’s it. But obviously, the deeper they go and the more literary tricks they fit in, the more interesting it will be. For instance, if our subject was something totally simple, like a chair, you’d have to go above and beyond just describing it physically. What do you use it for, what’s its origin, what are the good and bad things about it, if it could speak, what would it say, if it could move, what would it do, and what is it a metaphor for? Four.

So here’s what I have for a chair: It’s a slave, it’s for sitting on, it’s probably inspired by someone’s lap, it’s reliable, looks like a person trapped in a sitting position forever, and it would probably want to get up and sit on you if it could. So…

———

Isn’t fair to be a chair

Rolling chair goes anywhere

Ne’er shall dare to sit on you

Chair shall bare the weight of two

———

Maybe you think that’s a stupid example. You’re probably right. But here’s a song that demonstrates this type of lyrical technique perfectly: Words by The Real Group.

Abstract:

This one doesn’t require a whole lot of explanation, much like an abstract art teacher probably doesn’t have to explain to a student how to properly splatter paint all over a canvas. Basically the instructions are (in my opinion) a) start somewhere, b) go anywhere, and c) finish somehow. Whether or not you have a message in it is up to you, since no one will be able to tell the difference anyway. Here’s mine:

———

Battlefish, guard your lair

You are sacred starfish slayer

With a chain of food you fight

Strangling foes all through the night

———

Why not? Who’s going to tell you your abstract lyrics are bad? No one, because they just don’t understand the depth of your wisdom. Here’s an example: Blink by Infected Mushroom.

Narrative:

This one is cool in my opinion, and of all the songs I’ve written with lyrics (two), it’s worked out the best. It’s really versatile because you don’t have to ever write the story yourself. Lyricists will write about stories that already exist all the time. It can be any story that inspires you. Of course, if you want to write a story in lyrical form, that’s awesome as well. Just do what stories do, but in poetry form: develop characters, follow a plot, use butt loads of literary techniques.

———

Once upon a time there lived a little lazy leopard

If sleeping was a sport, he would set a new record

One night he heard a howl on a hill up high

It was his friend, wolf, singing sadly at the sky

ect…

———

I wish there was somewhere that would tell me how many songs have been written about Romeo and Juliet. And if there was, it would also tell me how many of them mention the fact that they both commit suicide at the end. Taylor Swift sure doesn’t. Here’s a story one: Duct Tape My Heart by Freezepop!

Dialogue:

Have you ever been a girl? If so, have you ever had some awkward guy write you an awkward song and insist on singing it awkwardly in front of you? I hope not, but unfortunately, it happens. This is that kind of song, and unfortunately they’re usually lame like that. But not always. Basically you just pick a subject/conflict and talk to that person about it in poetry form. Ask questions, criticize, compliment, make statements and make demands. You can even make it a conversation where both sides speak. It’s also good if you come to some sort of conclusion at the end, just to put our minds at ease.

———

You and me should hang out more

I know we should, let’s talk some more

I like your hair, I like your face

I think it’s cool you own a mace

etc…

———

So far all mine have been in AABB form… that’s how original I am! Here’s a song like this we all know and love: I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness.

Praise or Knock:

Authors of these songs pick something they love/hate and talk about how great/terrible it is. If you want a highly concentrated dose of this style of lyric writing, listen to worship music. It’s probably the best example. This one’s actually similar to subject analysis, but you concentrate on the pros or cons, not both. What would life be like without it, what would life be like with more of it, who can we thank for it, and what grand things does it do?

———

Topping conversation with a warm cordiality

A promisesland containing milk and honey

Its absence defines an arctic reality

With it, China makes some money

———

It’s about tea. It’s up to you whether or not you want to make that clear in the lyrics, or let people figure it out. Also I totally went ABAB there. Leave me a high five in the comment section. By the way, I almost made a seventh category, but I decided it fits in this one. It’s those songs where people fantasize about things they don’t have. If I Had a Million Dollars by the Barenaked Ladies is one that comes to mind. But really it’s just praise, but for something you don’t have. I’m too much of a positive person to be able to think of any knocks off the top of my head… but here’s a good praise one: California Girls by The Beach Boys!

Interrogation:

In these songs, there’s usually some sort of mystery that the writer can’t resolve. So they admit their confusion and ask tons of questions about it. Or sometimes they know the answer, but they still ask questions to make the listener figure it out for themselves. You’ve got your whens, whys, wheres, whos, whats and hows. Also, will it, must it, has it, was it and did it? Go ahead and hypothesize a bit, just to give us a break from all the questions.

———

What would a coin say could it speak?

Would it boast of its travels week by week?

Complain about being placed face down?

Or being dropped on the ground and  chased around?

———

I actually really like this method because it forces the listener to think more. At least, I tend to think more upon being asked than being told. Anyway, here: What if His People Prayed by Casting Crowns.

So that’s it. Hopefully this view on lyric writing will make me suck less at it. If not, it’s just kind of an interesting way to look at the way people write songs. There are probably more categories that I missed, but I think the majority can be placed into these ones. And hopefully you’ll think about this every time you hear a song ever.

P.S. If you’re a lyricist or a poet, feel free to leave me some tips.