When composing a song, is it better to write the lyrics first, or the music?

Question

I'm composing a song for my friend who wants to write the lyrics. I play piano, and I was just wondering if I should write the music, then have her write the lyrics, or if I should write the music based on her lyrics. HELP?!?!

Answer 1

music=lyrics+melody

get the melody first

Answer 2

There is no right answer to this question. You can compose the lyrics or the accompaniment first. I say whatever feels more comfortable or comes more naturally. When I write music I typically write the lyrics (or melody) first, but I have sense of how the accompaniment will fit while I'm writing the lyrics.

Answer 3

You can work at it either way or you can get together and do both at the same time. It depends what you're both comfortable with. It's about the end result so as long as the process leads to something you are satisfied with that is what is important. Also depends how much time and effort you want to spend on it too. Be open to changing both the music and the lyrics if that's what will work better. I usually write both at the same time. I personally find things are less artificial that way and fit more naturally together, but everyone is different

Answer 4

This depends on what works for you. Are you better at writting lyrics or are you better at writting music. I am better at writting lyrics so I compose my music first and then I go into the lyrics because I can adapt better that way. It helps though to have a chorus in mind on the lyric end of things so you have something to structure the song around though.

Answer 5

Lyrics first because then you can set the tone of the music to the mood of the lyrics. My little bro had a band and I helped with some of the lyrics. They always did the lyrics first, then the music.

Answer 6

Depends how you work some people can come up with the music first and the lyrics later and some people are the other way around just depends on what comes naturally to you

Answer 7

I love making my own music. sometimes i write some lyrics then think of a sound or style of beatthat would go well; but most of the time i write my lyrics while listening to the beat im going to flow on.

Answer 8

lyrical and musical composition are not usually innate habits, and most songs are not composed al at once, but generally in peices.
understanding this, you may want to try NOT to focus on any sort of order of how you "plan" or "construct" your song. both of you may want to spend time together discussing the type of song you want to compose (as if you weren't already) and also spend time finding little peices of music and lyrics which you may want to fit together.
In reality, songs are usually made very fast or very slow, depending on inspiration, so just don't force it and it will come naturally
there is not a right answer, however generally if the person writing lyrics has music to follow it gives them a good idea of attitude, mood, and such or the notes themselves may inspire the song
but really don't sternly set rules as to what goes first or last... just do it.

Answer 9

Well, I personally write the lyrics first then either as writing lyrics melody comes to me OR afterwards. Keep in mind, Bernie Taupin & Elton John write like how explained. So this method works as well. It all depends on you & your situation. It might come easy for some, harder for others.

Answer 10

i would say write the lyrics first then think of a beat for the lyrics

Answer 11

It depends on how it works out for you... I find it easier myself to write the music first, then the lyrics.