For the interested or curious -- because we're writers, after all -- I thought it might be useful to start a thread where we can discuss the craft and art of writing the best lyrics we can; and, more importantly, any personal tweaks and/or objections we've made to the 'known' rules.
I've been writing lyrics (and playing guitar, singing and finding melodies) for more than 20 years. As a writer, I don't find it too difficult to work on the craft. I recently completed a short online course with Pat Pattison, whose thoughts and practices of lyric writing I find quite profound. Pattison's drive to emphasise narrative strength through an understanding of stresses in rhythm and rhyme in worth the price of admission.
I'll start by saying that, perhaps, the most important thing I picked up from Pattison was the idea that you always had to fit the narrative to the structure of the song's arrangement. For instance, he talks about identifying your lyric as either stable or unstable. To put some perspective on this, most songs are unstable.
Stable songs usually have a positive message like Happy Birthday or God Save The Queen. They're not necessarily cheery lyrics, but most of them are. A clear way to see a stable song is through its lyrical structure. It's only a 'rule', of course, but you'll find perfect rhymes, even verse structure (as opposed to odd) and plenty of predictability.
Unstable songs should be every 'love lost' or 'political statement' song you've ever heard, plus a million others. Not every lyric has to be down cast and struggle up, but most are. Here we find intelligent use of family rhyme, more interesting line structure (think odd) and doses of instability.
I'm very happy to discuss this idea in more detail. Has it help me? Has it helped you?
I've been writing lyrics (and playing guitar, singing and finding melodies) for more than 20 years. As a writer, I don't find it too difficult to work on the craft. I recently completed a short online course with Pat Pattison, whose thoughts and practices of lyric writing I find quite profound. Pattison's drive to emphasise narrative strength through an understanding of stresses in rhythm and rhyme in worth the price of admission.
I'll start by saying that, perhaps, the most important thing I picked up from Pattison was the idea that you always had to fit the narrative to the structure of the song's arrangement. For instance, he talks about identifying your lyric as either stable or unstable. To put some perspective on this, most songs are unstable.
Stable songs usually have a positive message like Happy Birthday or God Save The Queen. They're not necessarily cheery lyrics, but most of them are. A clear way to see a stable song is through its lyrical structure. It's only a 'rule', of course, but you'll find perfect rhymes, even verse structure (as opposed to odd) and plenty of predictability.
Unstable songs should be every 'love lost' or 'political statement' song you've ever heard, plus a million others. Not every lyric has to be down cast and struggle up, but most are. Here we find intelligent use of family rhyme, more interesting line structure (think odd) and doses of instability.
I'm very happy to discuss this idea in more detail. Has it help me? Has it helped you?