Folks have different levels of retaining things in their memory. There are some who can go over s song a few times and perform them. They piss me off, I'm not one of them. It's true you do have to repeat the song over and over to memorize it. But there are a few tricks you can use to help.

1. Mind pictures-
Your memory works in pictures every day. That's the way is works best.
For example if the song is about a guy going out drinking picture a guy doing just that. "I've been a wild rover for many a year" and then picture what he did wasting his time and money "I spent all my money on whiskey and beer".
Do this for the rest of the song. I learned this song in just a couple of days using mind pictures.

2. Association-
Use a number system ex. 1 to 3 and make a rhyme for each verse
ex. 1-run (1st v.) picture a guy running away staggering down a street drunk (the more vivid and imaginative the better you remember it.)
2-zoo (2nd v.) "I went to the bar that I used to frequent" Picture a guy with a monkey and a bunch of zoo animals walking into a bar-
do this for each verse 3-tree 4-door etc.

3- Acronyms-
Form words that help you think of a main word or idea in each verse-
For example I learned the song Moonshadow by Cat Steevens in one day by using the word HELM. Whenever I sing that song I think of that word first and I've got the song nailed in two seconds. How you say-
The first verse-If I ever lose my "h" hands lose my plough lose my land (once you get hand the rhyme helps you get the rest-lose my plough lose my land
2nd v. If I ever lose my "e" eyes...
3rd v. If I ever lose my "l" land...
4th v. If I ever lose my "m" mouth..... hope this helps.

My website to hear my stuff-

http://www.edbulmer.com/


guitar player, vocalist, sailor