At the end of this course, you will be able to:
Overview
Songs can express meaning, emotion, and ideas in large part through their lyrics. They are the only section of the song that a casual listener may consciously understand. That indicates that the listener usually pays close attention to the words, deciphering their meaning and applying it to their own life rather frequently.
This can make you believe that your lyrics should be ambiguous in order for many people to be able to relate to them. However, lyrics that are considerably more detailed tend to elicit better reactions from listeners. This appears to be more sincere. Since people frequently apply meaning to their own lives and circumstances, this won’t stop them from doing so. They don’t require any direction from you. Just tell your own tale in an honest manner.
Selecting a Subject
The topic you choose is crucial since it reveals the performer’s artistic identity. For instance, Beyoncé frequently emphasizes feminism and self-assurance in her songs. Identity and artist “branding” are key factors.
You should identify the fundamental characteristics that define a given artist’s musical persona if you wish to write for them. Try to jot down some crucial terms when you listen to their current tunes. You are developing your musical personality if you write songs that you intend to perform live. Before you build anything, it’s usually a good idea to have a plan, so consider what you want to convey to the world first.
Do you wish to…
There are many songs that discuss romantic love or sex, but there are also many other topics to pick from.
Poetry vs. Music
Beginner songwriters frequently mistakenly believe that song lyrics and poems can be used interchangeably. You could have considered putting an existing poem to music or collaborating with a poet to write songs together if you don’t write lyrics. This has been tried numerous times and can work. But there are significant variations between song lyrics and poems. Before using poems as the lyrics for songs, you must be aware of these distinctions.
Permission
Let’s get one thing out of the way right away: you cannot simply use poems that you have seen online. They are the author’s, and they belong to them (or to the publisher, if there is one). Even after a writer passes away, their copyright might still be in effect. In the UK, copyright is still in effect 70 years after the author’s passing. This indicates that you require the copyright holder’s consent before setting their poem to music and before doing anything with the resulting song.
So, assuming you have that okay, let’s continue.
Rhythmic Variations
Only if the poet maintains a steady rhythm throughout their work may poems be set to music. Some poets carry out this action unconsciously, without even realizing it. Others might write in a rhythmic style because they have a strong comprehension of it. But when a poet isn’t as musically inclined, it comes through in their poetry. Of course, it doesn’t matter if the poetry will only ever be a poem. However, if you plan to set it to music, this might become an issue. Use only poetry with a regular rhythm as one way to address this. When you read the poem aloud, you can hear this. Although it doesn’t have to sound like a limerick, each stanza must contain the same number of lines, the same distribution of syllables and stresses, and the same rhyme scheme. Since it’s uncommon to locate a poem with flawless rhythm, you might need to make a few minor adjustments. If you’re employing a poem with erratic rhythm, your alternative choice is to make significant adjustments. This can need rewriting certain lines from scratch while attempting to keep as much of the original meaning as you can. It goes without saying that the original poet must approve. By doing this, you’re not putting the poem to music; rather, you’re basing the song lyrics on the poem. If you wish to start composing your own lyrics in the future, this might be an excellent activity to try out. You’ll gain some experience from it, which will help you feel more confident.
Structural variations
Unlike most modern songs, which alternate between verses and a recurring chorus, poems don’t typically follow this format. Instead, they are arranged in stanzas, which are comparable to songwriting’s verses. This implies that some genres will benefit more or less from the structure of your music. Blues, jazz, and folk music are all suitable options. Without a chorus, your song can lack a “hook,” which could have an impact on its economic potential. It doesn’t follow that you shouldn’t write it, though! It just implies that your intention for this song might be artistic quality rather than financial success. You might always choose the stanza that, in your opinion, best summarizes the song and justifies repetition if you want to write a chorus. After then, turn that stanza become the chorus by giving it a new tune and repeating it every time in between the verses.
