Hey Don,

Lyric writing is a big subject for a wee reply. So this is a tad long. I would suggest for anyone starting out to read a book on songwriting by Jason Blume. You can get one cheap on eBay or Amazon. In the meantime here‘s my two cents.

It doesn’t matter which comes first the melody or the lyrics or both at once. I suggest you start out by using the study song method.

Find a few AABA songs or whichever form you like. Notice how the lyrics are written. Where are the rhymes, what is the cadence - the rhythm of the words, how many syllables are in each line, how do they match from stanza to stanza and verse to verse, How do the rhymes and rhythms differ in the bridge?

Next pick one of the songs and rewrite it making the changes necessary so your lyric basically syncs with your study song's lyric and melody.

Write your first draft with no pressure knowing you can go back later and change anything you want. Write the whole thing. Let it rest. Go back to it. It’s probably not feeling quite right yet.

Look at your study song’s original lyrics again. How did they describe their story or feeling? Most song lyrics combine showing (imagery) with telling. Make your lyrics show and tell too.

One other important point, it’s okay to use a cliché if there are interesting things around it. However a bunch of tired cliches thrown together to most listeners is going to be boring. They’ve all heard it a zillion times before. The only people who get away with that are already famous. Try to make your lyric fresh and interesting with your unique perspective.

Since you are using the melody of your study song as a guide you MUST change that melody completely once your new lyrics are done. It’s a learning exercise period. Your new melody must be your own creation.

Many people settle for the first melody that pops in their head. Experiment a while before you decide on the keeper. Play your new melody without the lyrics - is the feeling you want to share there?

Most songs are 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.

Once your song is finished go to the tips and tricks forum and watch the video from the link I posted there from the Nashville publisher. There’s practical advice for songwriters of all genres.

After you’ve done this exercise you’ll understand more of what he’s talking about. And once you’ve used a study song once or twice to learn the ropes, you will drop that learning crutch and write on your own..

And last but not least you can ignore everything I’m saying here, have a good time, write whatever you want, throw some music on it, call it all for fun and not worry about it. If it’s for your own enjoyment, there’s really only one person to please and that's you.

But since you asked ......

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