What suggestions do you have for a Christian lyricist?

Question

I compose music but often struggle with lyrics. What do you poets and lyricists do for inspiration to write? Do you first decide on a theme or title and build around it?

All serious suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

I have over 400 original musical compositions and most need lyrics to turn them into praise and worship songs.

Answer 1

Listen to this great band called Slayer for some inspiration.

Answer 2

Hi,great question as I am a lyricist who struggles to compose the tunes, I think the best way is to first choose an authentic theme, the two that I use are these,
1. decide if you want the lyrics to be soley in praise of God and centered on Him or,
2. decide if you want the lyrics to attract people to God by telling of Gods love for them, and how special they are in Gods eyes.

another powerful theme is to write your lyrics on a personal level

by telling your own story in God,struggles and failures to success

your own journey in other words, but relate this as second person story so that it can be identified with.
once you get past the sticking point you will be amazed at the way words come from your own heart.
Try not to rely on other writers as your own personal stamp should be on your work.

best wishes and keep praising God.

Answer 3

I wrote my first lyrics from passages of Scripture. Later I wrote lyrics from things that are important to me that I want to pass on to others; that seems to be related to my passion for teaching. I brainstorm ideas and write out lists of words that seem to go together well and toss them around in various phrases and clauses.

Some people find that they can write only either the lyrics or the music. If you try everything and keep coming up dry, consider partnering with someone who finds it easy to write lyrics but struggles in composing the music to go with them. It may not be God's plan that you go it alone.

Answer 4

Keep a book with you ALL the time. You can get a word or phrase from any where, at anytime that may inspire you. Or, just in your day to day life, you may see something, an act of kindness, a sunset, or whatever that may inspire you. If you keep it with you, write it down, it may be easy for you to find inspiration to get the process going.

I write poetry, and in recent years, being a mommy has made it hard, no time. But for me, putting words down sometimes was a slow going process. Usually, I start with a thought, or a point to make. My hubby writes music, and for him, the easist thing to figure out is the chorus, and then work back from there.

Good Luck to you.

Answer 5

Read the Bible one chapter or verse at a time. Try to think of several different ways to word what you have learned. Then, try to rhyme or elaborate on it. Each time you do this, not only will you get better at composition, but you will be drawing closer to God and getting his thoughts on matters so that you can make better decisions in your life.

Answer 6

Usually an event or a person is what inspires me to write..I incorporate a Biblical theme around that....

Answer 7

The best songs that I can remember are based on scripture.

Check out Pam Mark Hall
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/pam-mark-hall-lyrics.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/card/0,,440237,00.html

Answer 8

mewithoutYou is an potent indie band. they do not label themselves as christian, however God is surely a important subject of their deep poetic lyrics. they are an excessively certain band - it takes a at the same time to get used to them.

Answer 9

The writer for the group my husband sings with gets his inspiration from sermons and scripture. Stick with the basics of the scriptural inspiration. Fell free to contact him through their website.

http://www.eventidemusic.com

(the writers name is Greg)

Answer 10

Start with a bases from scripture and move forward in the writing process.