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newbie gone wild
So here I am, a newbie on bandamp who has now spent a few days poking around the site, trolling the forums, stepping out of line in the chat room and getting my hand slapped by the people I hope will become my friends (thank you), and getting really positive feedback on the lyrics I have posted.
In fact, the feedback is so positive it's a little embarrasing. It's great to put your creative work out here in such a positive environment, and I want to thank you (you know who you are, but I can't remember your screen names) folks who created this site to make it possible. But for all you wonderful people who care enough, and have the interest to post reviews, I would like to remind you that constructive criticism is as important (and hopefully as welcome) to a developing artist as is praise and encouragement. Criticism is what helps us to become aware of our weaknesses, which we can learn to avoid or improve on. So no matter how much you like something, don't be afraid to point out where there is room for improvement, or even a little part that you just don't like. Remember for everyone who says it, there are many more who would feel the same way. So what you think is important. That is why we share.
I have read Tonights Last Song's blogs on writing song lyrics. This is great stuff. I agree 100% with the idea that songs and lyrics don't have to follow the rules of structure. They just have to be 100% YOU. You have to write out of conviction. When you do, your work becomes believable to the listener.
I'd like to add something to that. Not every song needs to have meaningful lyrics. But if you want your lyrics to have meaning, don't waste your lines. Make every one contribute to the meaning in one way or another. It makes the meaning clearer and more compelling. Sometimes it feels like you just can't find the right words for a certain line. You will find that sometimes it's better just to leave that line off completely, and that doing so can add a unique variation to that particular verse, and sometimes make it mean more than if you added the extra line. This is something I found out through years of writing essays and business letters. Say exactly what you have to say in as few words as possible. I prune my writing like I prune a tree - prune away all the fluff, until what is left is exactly what I wanted to say.
I learned something really profound from an casting director at Disney. She was talking about acting, but it applies to all forms of communication. Communication isn't just about broadcasting what is inside of you out. It is about broadcasting what is inside of you all the way into your audience. You, not the listener, are responsible for what they hear. So you have to communicate with utmost clarity, whether you are trying to convey a message, a feeling or an atmosphere. How do you do this? That is where your own creativity comes in.
One more thing. The best way to become a better lyric writer is to practice. In that way, it's no different than learning an instrument. There is nothing wrong with writing lyrics for six hours and throwing it all in the trash. It means you just got six hours closer to being a decent lyricist.
In fact, the feedback is so positive it's a little embarrasing. It's great to put your creative work out here in such a positive environment, and I want to thank you (you know who you are, but I can't remember your screen names) folks who created this site to make it possible. But for all you wonderful people who care enough, and have the interest to post reviews, I would like to remind you that constructive criticism is as important (and hopefully as welcome) to a developing artist as is praise and encouragement. Criticism is what helps us to become aware of our weaknesses, which we can learn to avoid or improve on. So no matter how much you like something, don't be afraid to point out where there is room for improvement, or even a little part that you just don't like. Remember for everyone who says it, there are many more who would feel the same way. So what you think is important. That is why we share.
I have read Tonights Last Song's blogs on writing song lyrics. This is great stuff. I agree 100% with the idea that songs and lyrics don't have to follow the rules of structure. They just have to be 100% YOU. You have to write out of conviction. When you do, your work becomes believable to the listener.
I'd like to add something to that. Not every song needs to have meaningful lyrics. But if you want your lyrics to have meaning, don't waste your lines. Make every one contribute to the meaning in one way or another. It makes the meaning clearer and more compelling. Sometimes it feels like you just can't find the right words for a certain line. You will find that sometimes it's better just to leave that line off completely, and that doing so can add a unique variation to that particular verse, and sometimes make it mean more than if you added the extra line. This is something I found out through years of writing essays and business letters. Say exactly what you have to say in as few words as possible. I prune my writing like I prune a tree - prune away all the fluff, until what is left is exactly what I wanted to say.
I learned something really profound from an casting director at Disney. She was talking about acting, but it applies to all forms of communication. Communication isn't just about broadcasting what is inside of you out. It is about broadcasting what is inside of you all the way into your audience. You, not the listener, are responsible for what they hear. So you have to communicate with utmost clarity, whether you are trying to convey a message, a feeling or an atmosphere. How do you do this? That is where your own creativity comes in.
One more thing. The best way to become a better lyric writer is to practice. In that way, it's no different than learning an instrument. There is nothing wrong with writing lyrics for six hours and throwing it all in the trash. It means you just got six hours closer to being a decent lyricist.