Writing Lyrics

[Spruce Goose]

Anyone have any tips for writing lyrics?

I am struggling to find inspiration. My songs are kind of slow in a Porcupine Tree/Damnation kind of way (Although maybe not as dark)

I bought the ZOOM MRS802 8 track recorder the other week so I am now ready to start recording some stuff. I have a few tracks done and just need vocals, which in turn require lyrics.

Here are some of the lyrics I have written. I know they aer not very good. It is hard to imagine them without hearing the music.

This one is supposed to be about 3 different people who each try to be somebody that they are not. I basically started writing the lyrics with no theme in mind. By the time I got to the end of the first Verse, I decided what the song would be about.

How the fuck do you write lyrics? Is there any formula I should be stickin to?

Shot right down in flames



Its becoming crystal clear

That her innocence is done



Though she’s only 17,

Acting like she’s 31.

Is it really that much fun?



Did she ever really think,

Her behavior wouldn’t show

Did she think no one would know?





**CHORUS*
Lying, you’re lying to yourself
You’ve gone too far

It’s not hard to see right through your games



Trying, you’re trying to

Escape from who you are

You’ll end up being shot right down in flames





The wheels are in motion,

The downward spiral has begun



Gamblin all your life away

Searchin for that magic run

Only ending up with none



Gotta quit while you’re still ahead

Try and find your guiding star

You gotta find out who you are





Lying, you’re lying to yourself

You’ve gone too far

It’s not hard to see right through your games



Trying, you’re trying to

Escape from who you are

You’ll end up being shot right down in flames







Seasons pass and time moves on

As the years go rolling by



Turning back the magic clock

A new life you try to buy

Your true soul you will deny



Show the world the real you

There’s no need to be ashamed

You won’t be pointed at or blamed





Lying, you’re lying to yourself

You’ve gone too far

It’s not hard to see right through your games



Trying, you’re trying to

Escape from who you are

You’ll end up being shot right down
You’ll end up being shot right down
You’ll end up being shot right down in Flames




This one is really about finding that special someone I wrote these lyrics because my girlfriend gets the shits because of my obsession with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tammin Sursok. I then thought "I have this top chick and I still obsess over these fantasy girls, so I should be happy with what I got.". So I guess this one is kinda Space Dye Vest-ish. I know its kinda sappy, but I just interested to know if you's reckon the rymes and sentance structuring is ok. Never written lyrics before so dont know how to set these things out



Stranger, Reflection


Try to reach the sole behind the image in the night

I know I'll never find what I'm looking for

Living in a world of one way mirrors don’t seem right

Tell me why I search for something more



Underneath a cloud of disillusion pouring down

Makes it feel like it is out of reach

Waiting for the lust to get pushed under and finally drown

I'm living in a world of make believe



Its surreal but I'm lying to myself



Driving down a lonely one way street



Stranger, Reflection

Deceive the Eye

Danger, Rejection

Get no reply



Standing at the crossroads of a dream and what is real

Theres only one true pathway there to take

Theres no way I can settle for a second rate deal

Don't wanna be a part of something fake



Its surreal, no more lying to myself



Driving down a lonely one way street



Stranger, Reflection

That look in the eye

Danger, Rejection

Got no choice but try



And it feels like a giant weight

Has been lifted from my life

Finally I can see

You’re the one for me



Stranger, Reflection

That look in the eye

Danger, Rejection

Love I can’t deny



Love We can’t deny

 

[spawn]

You old softy you

If ever theres a man who needs some Slayer

 

[Spruce Goose]

Not all songs have to be heavy though. Do they?
It would just sound weird singing about death and cocks with the music I have written.

Atleast this thread has given me a band name:

Death Cocks

 

[Goreripper]

Any of you ever notice the women's underwear ads in Target or K-Mart with Tammin Sursok on them?

Ahem...

 

[spawn]

Death and cocks?

Relax, sing about whatever the hell you want!

I do have to disagree though, all songs HAVE to be heavy. YES! THEY! DO!

 

[Goreripper]

Not all songs have to be heavy though. Do they?
It would just sound weird singing about death and cocks with the music I have written.

Atleast this thread has given me a band name:

Death Cocks

Death Cocks!




I think I should continue writing glam lyrics. I was starting to get a roll on in the MD song thread.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I listened to Reign In Blood twice today. I enjoyed it.

 

[Goreripper]

Got my finger on the trigger
Got my target in sight
Gonna lock and load it
Gonna lock it in tight

 

[spawn]

I listened to Reign In Blood twice today. I enjoyed it.

 

[Fe Maiden]

Dude need to think straighter. COCKS? Reallly?

Death is ok since it is metal we are talking about here.

try 2 put ur self into character, and make sure most of it rimes.

use big words from the thesaures.

get the tune done first, i personally find it easier to write to music.

And STOP THINKING ABOUT COCKS or u need 2 c some1 about it man.

 

[Fe Maiden]

Or u could try a Steve Harris and write songs based on stories and tru events.

that always makes life easier, dont need much imagination.

 

[Mark]

And make sure you have a dictionary handy!

 

[Wenda]

u need 2 c some1

 

[spawn]

 

[The Amazer]

I just write whatever pops into my head.

That's how I get my lyrixx.

(My lyrixx to Buttercoat Hanger

Perceiving Death is in the trash
especially listening to alcatraz
but when the shuttle makes it's stash
the camera has but one last flash
language

BUTTERCOAT HANGER!

The rocks of rolling bandages
are eating our fresh sandwiches
our life drifts through our own stages
while it's trapped in bovine cages
Reef Away!

BUTTERCOAT HANGER!

It sits alone waiting, waiting for
the day when it will rain
tempting the threads that hang over your head
while flowing a harpoon cane...

BUTTERCOAT HANGER!

 

[Fe Maiden]

Clap, clap mate.

 

[TRrEiTxIxRiE DTrash]

"I don't think our lyrics are a problem. If people want lyrics that are about more than sex and love, then go and buy a Sting LP or somethin'. My life genuinely does consist of chicks and sex and rock! I'm not interested in making a huge statement, other than I love rock 'n' roll and I love women." - Davy Vain.



Davy's lyrics are great I think. And despite never straying from sleaze & love, they aren't as generic as most hair metal bands' lyrics and somehow strike a chord. Like "No Respect" has awesome lyrics about being so into a chick that you lose all your self respect and feel like a fool, and "Beat The Bullet" has awesome lyrics about having so much sex with groupies that you're prayin that you "beat the bullet" and don't get an STD from one lol.

VAIN!

Sorry if this had nothing to do with the topic. I was just listening to Vain at the time and remembered the article with that awesome quote about his lyrics, coz that's how I feel about lyrics too!

 

[KoichCPA]

Any of you ever notice the women's underwear ads in Target or K-Mart with Tammin Sursok on them?

Ahem...

She's the reason I read the Big W catalouge.

 

[TRrEiTxIxRiE DTrash]

She's a cutie.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I've never noticed those adds.