If writing lyrics is all about words, then to be a good lyricist you would need a healthy respect for the english language and how it can be made to tell a story, describe things or put across a point of view.
You would also need to become very interested in what you read, speak, see and hear around you.
First of all, to become interested in words you need to actively seek words out. This would seem like an easy task as words are all around us yet we don’t really see them. We just take them for granted.
We especially take for granted what comes out of our mouths. The promises and commitments that we make and the way that we relate to people.
Words are very, very powerful things.
Actively seeking out words doesn’t mean getting out the dictionary and reading it from cover to cover but it does mean increasing the amount of reading you currently do.
First of all lets start with the humble newspaper. It’s something that’s easy to read and it can be delivered to you every day at minimal cost so getting hold of one requires very little effort on your part.
If you’re like me you’d be saying to yourself right now that you have no time to read. My answer to that is ‘who says you don’t have time?’
As songwriters, we can’t afford not to have the time to read and generally slow our lives down a bit so we can pick up on what is happening around us.
At the start of every day, get your newspaper and a cup of your favourite beverage and start reading and really take note of what you read and the pictures that you see.
What you’re doing is looking for something that jumps out at you.
A headline may make a great title for a song, a quote may make a good line for a chorus, an articles theme may make a great song story.
A word of warning here. Newspapers are notoriously full of bad news. Be careful not to get sucked in by the negativity. You’re looking for songwriting ideas not an excuse to feel sad.
Pay close attention to the letters to the editor. I find this section most entertaining and it also shows everyday people writing about everyday things in everyday language. I find this an absolute goldmine for songwriting ideas.
I know of a songwriter who only writes songs when she’s angry about something. If this is like you then reading a newspaper will be the equivilent to finding a vein of gold.
For the rest of us its a good opportunity to just take some quiet time out, grab a notepad and pen and allow the ideas to enter us from the ether.
Until next time, happy writing (and reading),
Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
Keywords: songwriting, songwriter, writing songs, songwriting tip, songwriting help, songwriting technique, songwriting idea, songwriting blog, corey stewart
Filed under: Songwriting Ideas | Tagged: Corey Stewart, creativity, music, songs, Songwriter, Songwriting, songwriting tip, Songwriting Zen, writing, zen
Newspapers are a fantastic resource for writers of all ilks; the prime concern with producing writing that rings is passion. If something does grab you, you will no doubt feel something for it, making it easier to write about. As you’ve said in a previous post, writing can be a wonderful way for you to undertstand the world around you, and sometimes, in expressing a view for others, you are helping clarify your own views for yourself.
Wonderful advice, Corey, keep it up, you are doing a great service to others, and your own writing = )
Thanks Tom, I appreciate your feedback. You’re right in saying that writing is a great way of knowing yourself.
As much as Songwriting Zen is a songwriting resource in development and a springboard for my own music, it’s also a way of instilling discipline in my own self and my own writing which then flows onto other things in my life.
Writing in any genre is one of the best ways of finding yourself.
I’m very happy and humbled that you find things in my blog that inspire you as much as I find inspiring things in yours.
“Creativity and More”
I’m glad you’re finding my blog a good read. Your own thoughts on creativity are very insightful. I’ll be reading your blog more closely.