Music or Lyrics First?

flightlessthoughts · 02-01-2008, 01:21 AM

Chicken or egg...which came first?

When you are writing songs, do you write the music, and then add lyrics to it; or do you write your words and then the music? I'm just interested in what other people do.

I'm a music then lyrics type of guy. Mostly because I'm not good enough at writing music to match the mood of my lyrics with the music I write.

Aqualung · 02-01-2008, 03:38 AM

I've never written any music, but I think it would be easier for me to write the music first. Once I created a piece of music and knew the mood and tempo and stuff, I would be better able to create lyrics to it.

Joel · 02-01-2008, 04:37 PM

I write most of my stuff lyrics first, but I usually get better stuff the other way around. Go Figure.

Kameraad Pannekoek · 02-01-2008, 08:01 PM

Music first. Always. I just can't write lyrics really.

hardkiss · 02-01-2008, 08:06 PM

I dont how to write music or lyrics ,but i think lyrics will be first..

Habey Gonzo · 02-01-2008, 08:14 PM

I usually start with the lyrics. Mostly because they tell a story, or describe a mood. Then I "reproduce" that story or mood with the music. But I haven't been able to do that for more than one year. It used to work well before.

Lochmon · 02-02-2008, 10:26 PM

The problem I have of writing lyrics before music is that I can't figure out how to sing it, and then when I write music before lyrics I can't figure out what words to put into the melody.

It becomes frustrating, but I've learn to accept that if I want to be satisfied with anything that I write, it would have to be done spontaneously and not with an "I-HAVE-to-finish-this" mentality.

I guess I would prefer to write lyrics first without the aid of music. That way I can write freely without having to fit a certain number of words in a line.

Neverlife · 02-03-2008, 03:44 AM

i write the lyrics, then the music grows on it, untill it all fits.

flightlessthoughts · 02-04-2008, 03:13 PM

Thanks to everyone for posting on my very first thead here on KMA..pause for tear... seriously, I really do appreciate the feedback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habey Gonzo

I usually start with the lyrics. Mostly because they tell a story, or describe a mood. Then I "reproduce" that story or mood with the music.

That's what I wish that I could do. I have all sorts of lyrics that I have written, just laying around; but everytime I go to write music to them, I end up with a song that doesn't fit the lyric at all. So I usually end up writing new lyrics to go with the music. And every once in a while, I can go back and find a different set of words that go with the music that I wrote (after slight modifications).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lochmon

I've learn to accept that if I want to be satisfied with anything that I write, it would have to be done spontaneously and not with an "I-HAVE-to-finish-this" mentality.

My better music is normally spontaneous as well. Such is the beaty of our art.

Rock N' Roller · 02-05-2008, 06:14 PM

Mooseec ooff cuoors

Hero Of The Day · 02-06-2008, 03:37 AM

Music, i don't know how to write lyrics.

flightlessthoughts · 02-15-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero Of The Day

Music, i don't know how to write lyrics.

Well I don't really know "how" to write music, it just kind of happens by accident, but I can write lyrics...hey....YOU COMPLETE ME!

Hero Of The Day · 02-16-2008, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flightlessthoughts

Well I don't really know "how" to write music, it just kind of happens by accident, but I can write lyrics...hey....YOU COMPLETE ME!

Finally!!!

Mycheaprecords · 03-02-2008, 12:34 PM

I'd say that the music should come first.
In my opinion, what really matters is that you got the idea of what your lyrics would be about, like there's something you've always wanted to talk about, an opinion to express. Then it's only a matter of words, style, rythm and rhymes and how to make them fit your music.

rfonte · 03-09-2008, 08:02 PM

I go both ways, it just depends on the mood.

flightlessthoughts · 03-10-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfonte

I go both ways,

^^

Just kidding

. Sorry, I know, I'm a little imature.

Welcome to KMA. Thanks for posting your input.

Michelle<3Music · 03-10-2008, 09:33 PM

lyrics!

flightlessthoughts · 03-10-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michelle<3Music

lyrics!

Why? I'm not trying to be difficult, just wondering what your reasoning is?

Welcome to KMA by the way

RickenbackerBassPlayer · 03-24-2008, 05:10 PM

I say lyrics. I say this only because I think it is easier to match the melody to the song with music. Its too hard to write the music then write words, the whole point of the song is like a thought, feeling, ect.

MySon · 03-25-2008, 03:02 AM

First post woot.

Anyways, I believe everyone has their own style. No one can tell you what you can or cannot do, different strokes for different folks.

Personally I switch up often, sometimes I'll sit at my computer playing a few chords and come up with a basis for a song that I really enjoy - then I'd sit and hum or sing along in that scale and come up with a melody.

Other times I'll be sitting in class or at a restaurant with some friends and I'd scribble down lyrics in my head on a piece of paper or napkin. Then later on just play around till I get the feel and tone I enjoy for the feeling of the lyrics.

Aqualung · 03-25-2008, 03:13 AM

Welcome to the forums!

MySon · 03-25-2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Welcome to the forums!

Thanks

Rachael · 03-30-2008, 11:31 AM

Hi,

Either, there's no rules. Whatever works for you.

I usually start with a melody and then the chords and then the lyrics. But occasionally I write down lyrics and try to create a melody for them.

Either way I try not to think to much and just allow my subconscious mind to express itself. If I try too hard, nothing happens.

Best, Rachael

Eko Renaissance · 04-01-2008, 06:12 PM

It depends.

To be honest with you, writing lyrics and composing music are so vastly different that its generally best to consider them two entirely different ventures and then find which that sync the best with one another, marry them, and tweak them to better conform to one another. Then, of course, comes the finishing touches -- shakers, accents, ambiance (like a driving tone, usually really deep or high pitched and really low), etc.

Let me elaborate.

Let's say you're in a writing mood and you write something dark. The next day, you start composing and come up with something happy. These are two separate occassions irrelevant to each other. Instead of "continuing", you would simply wait until you're in another dark mood, but one in which you also feel like composing. Then you reference your compendium of dark lyrics and see which fits, if any. If none, then you wait until you write something that does.

Making music, man... it's no easy thing. Like all art, there are no quick fixes.

Cheers,

Eko R.

Eko Renaissance · 04-01-2008, 06:14 PM

By the way, for those of you who take the time to understand this nonsense or quote me to read it: please thank me if you find any of my posts helpful or otherwise thank-worthy, else my posts remain incoherent. Officially thank me, I mean, with the little button at the bottom of one of my posts.

Thank you very much!

Eko R.

02-01-2008, 03:38 AM	#2
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,539 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 276	I've never written any music, but I think it would be easier for me to write the music first. Once I created a piece of music and knew the mood and tempo and stuff, I would be better able to create lyrics to it. __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

02-01-2008, 04:37 PM	#3
Joel Biggest gig ever was a talent show Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cold Cold Canada Posts: 272 Thanks: 32 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts Rep Power: 45	I write most of my stuff lyrics first, but I usually get better stuff the other way around. Go Figure. __________________ Wrong or right, Black or white, If I close my eyes, Its all the same. Joels Guitar Setup = Ibanez RGA Prestige 121 --> Dunlop Crybaby --> Boss Super Overdrive --> Fuchs Tube Job --> Traynor YCS50 (PODXt Live in loop) --> Ears

02-01-2008, 08:01 PM	#4
Kameraad Pannekoek Drunk on power. And beer. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wazzu Posts: 3,179 Thanks: 61 Thanked 133 Times in 114 Posts Rep Power: 152	Music first. Always. I just can't write lyrics really. __________________ If you ever need help with anything, anything at all, just send me a PM and I'll see what I can do for you. Dave's Gear: MIM Fretless Fender Jazz Bass Fender Rumble 100w Bass Amp Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Vox Valvetronix AD30VT Guitar Amp Dunlop .71mm picks (Pink picks for the win!)

02-01-2008, 08:14 PM	#6
Habey Gonzo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brussels (Belgium) Posts: 1,252 Thanks: 57 Thanked 93 Times in 83 Posts Rep Power: 92	I usually start with the lyrics. Mostly because they tell a story, or describe a mood. Then I "reproduce" that story or mood with the music. But I haven't been able to do that for more than one year. It used to work well before. __________________ -=The C in rap is silent=- IceWind -=- Habey Gonzo's nest

02-03-2008, 03:44 AM	#8
Neverlife Dungeon Master Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newman Grove, NE Posts: 2,008 Thanks: 55 Thanked 84 Times in 75 Posts Rep Power: 0	i write the lyrics, then the music grows on it, untill it all fits. __________________ "Today is the tommorow, you worried about yesterday"

02-01-2008, 01:21 AM	#1
flightlessthoughts Take luck!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 502 Thanks: 55 Thanked 59 Times in 46 Posts Rep Power: 60	Chicken or egg...which came first? When you are writing songs, do you write the music, and then add lyrics to it; or do you write your words and then the music? I'm just interested in what other people do. I'm a music then lyrics type of guy. Mostly because I'm not good enough at writing music to match the mood of my lyrics with the music I write.

02-01-2008, 08:06 PM	#5
hardkiss Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UAE Posts: 1,326 Thanks: 55 Thanked 52 Times in 52 Posts Rep Power: 69	I dont how to write music or lyrics ,but i think lyrics will be first..

02-05-2008, 06:14 PM	#10
Rock N' Roller Music \| Life & Purpose Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,494 Thanks: 150 Thanked 72 Times in 57 Posts Rep Power: 77	Mooseec ooff cuoors

02-06-2008, 03:37 AM	#11
Hero Of The Day Buckethead's Best Bud Join Date: May 2007 Location: Where do I live? ....Over There... Posts: 2,898 Thanks: 326 Thanked 198 Times in 173 Posts Rep Power: 151	Music, i don't know how to write lyrics.

03-02-2008, 12:34 PM	#14
Mycheaprecords The Red Telephone Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: in the X-files Posts: 421 Thanks: 191 Thanked 52 Times in 45 Posts Rep Power: 55	I'd say that the music should come first. In my opinion, what really matters is that you got the idea of what your lyrics would be about, like there's something you've always wanted to talk about, an opinion to express. Then it's only a matter of words, style, rythm and rhymes and how to make them fit your music.

03-09-2008, 08:02 PM	#15
rfonte Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0	I go both ways, it just depends on the mood.

03-10-2008, 09:33 PM	#17
Michelle<3Music Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 31	lyrics!

03-24-2008, 05:10 PM	#19
RickenbackerBassPlayer Play the music, not the instrument Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Behind You Posts: 3,749 Thanks: 138 Thanked 188 Times in 177 Posts Rep Power: 143	I say lyrics. I say this only because I think it is easier to match the melody to the song with music. Its too hard to write the music then write words, the whole point of the song is like a thought, feeling, ect. __________________ Make sure to read the Rules for posting. Check out the KMA Review team thread post if interested. If you have any problems please feel free to Send me a message.. "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

03-25-2008, 03:02 AM	#20
MySon Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 30	First post woot. Anyways, I believe everyone has their own style. No one can tell you what you can or cannot do, different strokes for different folks. Personally I switch up often, sometimes I'll sit at my computer playing a few chords and come up with a basis for a song that I really enjoy - then I'd sit and hum or sing along in that scale and come up with a melody. Other times I'll be sitting in class or at a restaurant with some friends and I'd scribble down lyrics in my head on a piece of paper or napkin. Then later on just play around till I get the feel and tone I enjoy for the feeling of the lyrics.

03-25-2008, 03:13 AM	#21
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,539 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 276	Welcome to the forums! __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

Sponsored Links
KMA Music Forum Advertisement

03-30-2008, 11:31 AM	#23
Rachael Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Rep Power: 33	Hi, Either, there's no rules. Whatever works for you. I usually start with a melody and then the chords and then the lyrics. But occasionally I write down lyrics and try to create a melody for them. Either way I try not to think to much and just allow my subconscious mind to express itself. If I try too hard, nothing happens. Best, Rachael

04-01-2008, 06:12 PM	#24
Eko Renaissance Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brooklyn. Posts: 62 Thanks: 6 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts Rep Power: 0	It depends. To be honest with you, writing lyrics and composing music are so vastly different that its generally best to consider them two entirely different ventures and then find which that sync the best with one another, marry them, and tweak them to better conform to one another. Then, of course, comes the finishing touches -- shakers, accents, ambiance (like a driving tone, usually really deep or high pitched and really low), etc. Let me elaborate. Let's say you're in a writing mood and you write something dark. The next day, you start composing and come up with something happy. These are two separate occassions irrelevant to each other. Instead of "continuing", you would simply wait until you're in another dark mood, but one in which you also feel like composing. Then you reference your compendium of dark lyrics and see which fits, if any. If none, then you wait until you write something that does. Making music, man... it's no easy thing. Like all art, there are no quick fixes. Cheers, Eko R.

04-01-2008, 06:14 PM	#25
Eko Renaissance Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brooklyn. Posts: 62 Thanks: 6 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts Rep Power: 0	By the way, for those of you who take the time to understand this nonsense or quote me to read it: please thank me if you find any of my posts helpful or otherwise thank-worthy, else my posts remain incoherent. Officially thank me, I mean, with the little button at the bottom of one of my posts. Thank you very much! Eko R.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Music Theory for Beginners - Lesson 1: the basics	The Coker Variations	Lessons and Helpful Information	14	03-23-2010 11:15 AM
World Music Appreciation Thread	Jody LeCompte	The Soundtrack Of Our Lives	11	08-05-2008 10:10 AM
Great Music Cities - New Orleans	meanceprimeaux	Music Reviews	6	06-28-2006 12:59 AM