How can I write more lyrically and less poetically?

Question

I think my poems are good, but they definitely sound like poems. What is the difference between something that reads like a poem, and something that reads like a song? What should I keep in mind when I try this new style?

Answer 1

Think of the music or melody FIRST. Consider meaning only later.

Answer 2

Since I know about music, I can answer to this inquiry.

First, what you must do, is consider what "time" your song shall be in. Will it be 6/8, (count: 123-123-123) 3/4 (count 1-2-3-1-2-3) or in "common" time (count 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4)? (these are just a few of the time divisions you can use) This shall affect your rhythm that you write the poetry in.

Then what you must consider is making two sections to your song, the verse, and the chorus. The chorus should be very catchy, and establish the final mood for the story. (E.g. If your verse is sad, your chorus should be sadder, if your verse is happy, your chorus should be more uplifting.) This can be achieved by whatever words you use.

Also, consider the language that your poem shall be in. If it is a sad or touching song, such as "After the Ball", by Chas. K. Harris, use poetic, and "flowery" language, for instance, use the word "Shall", instead of "will," use "For he had been", instead of "Because he was", and eliminate all contractions, (for instance, say "do not" instead of "don't", "will not" instead of "won't", and so on and so forth.) However, if you are trying to write the next Sterling and Von Tilzer song, (a comic song), you must get down and dirty! Use slang, dialect (but be careful with dialect! sometimes it isn't PC!), and all the contractions you wish.

Most of all, have fun with your song!

Oh, and one more tip! You must make it all rhyme, every bit! When you make it rhyme, it is a lot catchier, (but the chorus must be catchier than the verse, of course.) The most common type of rhyme scheme is A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Have you already studied poetry? Good poetry has often lyrical elements and definite rhythm...this is the beauty and power of words get connected with a musician deepthought42 had a good suggestion, possibly you are a musician yourself. I discovered that phrases , sentences, words ...have rhythm and musical componenets already within them...read, read, read poetry,and play,play,play music...immmerse yourself in this creative world of the arts
don't give way to the overly self-indulgent sappy emotional expressions of your experiences, be thoughtful and work on your works, realise that is why they are called works, don't expect it to come without an honest investment of yourself and your time.The Greek word for workmanship is translated Poem. Hopefully you have had enough pain and joy already in your life to give material for expression then go for it ..music ,poetry all of the arts they soothe ,excite, heal,educate Don't be dissuaded from your passion, perfect your gifts through work...there are enough of the others, be who you are...A Poet or Lyracist, a lyrical poet,musician or Word Meister Bard I salute you and you endeavors to come. Some things come by doing...you are so on the right track.

Answer 4

Well, lyrical prose tends to be like poetry in that it takes ordinary things and events and makes them extraordinary through use of metaphor, symbolism, alliteration, etc. Most song lyrics read as poetry if you take the music away, in fact. If you really want to make it sound like a song instead of like a poem, try simplifying the language, using poetry tools like heavy description or onomotopoeia more sparingly, and rhyming only the second and fourth verses of each stanza.

Answer 5

I have written a few songs and when I want to write more lyrically I have to already have the music to which I am going to be writing lyrics. Nine times out of ten, in my experience, most groups don't even work on the lyrics until after the music has been written and fine tuned.

Answer 6

Lyrical poetry has two qualities.
1. It has rhythm, you could set it to music.
2. It rhymes
there you go.
Make a rhyming poem with 8 beats to the bar and set it to a boogie beat, and you might have an instant hit.

Answer 7

Songs don't usually flow with a cadence like a poem does. It doesn't normally follow a pattern like ABAB etc. Songs are usually just written out as free flowing rants with a repetitive chorus. They make more sense than poems.

Answer 8

Think of words that mean more. More meaningfull words more than rhyming. Just find real good words to describbe even the little thigns

Answer 9

Melody comes first then Lyrics.

Answer 10

im with Deep Thought, get a tune first then hook the words up!!