what are some tips on how to write a song?

Answer 1

you could do what jack johnson does and make the instrumental part first then add lyrics that fit with the rhythm. the lyric writing is a lot like poem writing. get a flow pattern with the rhyme scheme and a solid subject with symbols and themes and such. your best tool in when beginning song writing is a rhyming dictionary. hope that helps.

Answer 2

What works for me is usually just what i'm feeling at the time - i do it when im in the mood - usually a gloomy one - or an experience - something you have alot to say about or feel strongly about so you have more thoughts and words - a song should make the listener feel what you're feeling - but then i always find rap much easier since that is my speciality - the song should be in sync with the music and it should sound good obviously - it also depends on whether the song is for you or if you are writing it for a particular person in which case you have to consider your audience - the complexity of the song, the choice of words and how appropriate it is to your target audience - a song doesn't necessarily need a hook - but a hook does well to tie a song together or summarise what it's about and so the title of the song is often derived from its chorus.

Answer 3

Like the lyrics? Don't write about the same boring thing everyone writes about. Make sure the song flows. I like songs that are a bit fast and make you feel like you are in another place.

Sometimes songs can tell a story.
Attack of the Grey Lantern is an entire album that tells a story of a Catholic preacher who decides to be a cross-dressing stripper.

Or you could think about a certain person when you write a song. The song "To the Moon and Back" is about a person that Darren once knew that was depressed a lot/

Or write about what you wish someone would say to you like in the song "Crash and Burn" in which Darren was feeling sad and wrote..almost like a song to himself.

Or let your imagination go wild and sing about whatever pops up there. I like the song that goes:

"Wake up flower, you’re smelling of roses
Drawing posies to keep in a hole in your floor
Oh yeah, oh yeah, keep it in a hole
Keep your gear in a bin in your kitchen
Thelma viaduct lives in a hole in your lid
Oh yeah, oh yeah, keep it in a hole"

Make stuff rhyme... I can't offer much more than that as poems just come to me easily and I don't think about it much at all.

Answer 4

Commercially speaking, you need a 'hook' line or 'hook' chorus/introduction. It can be anything basically. Try to let go of technical obstacles such as 'exact' rhymes, like trying - flying. They don't even have to rhyme at all actually.
Be sure to put your heart into it ... 100 % +
It's usually better to base your song on an actual event or experience.

If you're writing for the sheer pleasure and fun, try a comedic theme.
You also need to know music in general, but it's not a necessity.
Good luck,
Mack

Answer 5

Just put down what you feel in your heart should be in your song. I know when I write poetry that I put down what I am feeling inside my heart. A song is just easy. Just write what has happened in your life, anything that you can think of that are heartfelt, put them into your song.

Answer 6

well i have written a couple of songs. write what you are feeling. dont try to make it rhyme. just write. then once you are done split it up into verses. then try to get them to rhyme. once you are done with that write yourself a chorus to cover the whole song. you should put the chorus between verses and at the end do it twice.

Answer 7

Talk to Barry Manilow. He writes the songs that make the whole world sing.

Answer 8

You first have to find out what your song is about. ten you pick a suitible title that goes along with what your song is about. ( or it won't make sense!) Then figure out your chorus. Next think of words to go before your chorus, and there, you have a song!

Answer 9

Write what you know, live, and feel. Be honest and for goodness sake!!!!!!!!!!!! NO RAP. That makes money, and is entertaining to a degree. But, it's not a song.

Answer 10

Just start playing on a guitar or piano or whatever you have come up with three chords and play around.

http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa091999a.htm

http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/mpreviss.htm

I also like using a mini recorder to tape and listen to old song ideas I couldn't finish.