McnaughtonPark

When I read this I whispered to myself, "Oh f*ck, so that's how that shit gets done." You can't read that in the books or internet articles, thank you for the thought out and respective, respected, answers. Without trying to stick my nose too far up anyones arse, I was reminded of something I read many years ago. I don't remember who said it, I can't quote it verbatum He who doesn't know and knows that he doesn't know Is ignorant, teach him He who doesn't know and thinks that he knows Is a fool, shun him He who knows, but knows not that he knows Is lost, guide him He who knows and knows that he knows Is wise, follow him. Perhaps it was from Tao, or the I-Ching, I don't quite remember, but I have not been ashamed of ignorance since, and have tried, beyond hope or much success, to not be the fool.

Questions: How then is the hook used a a refrain and presented most effectively? Opening line of each A 8 bars (You really don't call them verses?) or last line? Is it presented in the B at all? So, then, is the normal way of referring to AABA not verse chorus? Does the B ever repeat? Is A=8, A=8, B=8, A=8 strictly adhered to? From reading other books about lyric writing, Verse, Chorus, Bridge are commonly used terms to identify sections and purpose of the section. So much so that one is almost lead to believe that V,C,V,C,B,C is the standard. It's written all over the place so someone like me, just getting started, believes that. AABA is referred to as the ultimate song form. In writing lyrics as a beginner, I find using V,C,.... an easier way to bring out the hook, but I now think it's because I've read more on the structure that I am more familiar with it. I don't wish to bleed thru to the chorus/refrain for the sake of keeping the common language for now.

A Nashville songwriter told me there are no rules, only rules of thumb. Meaning, some things just need to be adhered to in order to get your song published. You can go through songs that made the charts and pull out common aspects of each one, categorize them, and write your next lyric incorporating all the best, but if the song doesn't fly....well, you write another. Timothy, I think that's the part I like best. The writing itself. Pulling out words and putting them down to a melody. I like toying with finding meaning in sentences, and interesting rhymes. Lyrics are a beautiful weaving in and through everyday experiences in a way that others can relate to. The hidden, cryptic, lyrics can have their day and do, by more popular bands after they are already noticed and published but I'll bet there was a simple catchy tune that got them there to begin with. That 2 cents cost me a dollar. MP

Keep on Rollin - REO Speedwagon

No, I agree Norm. You can see how his lyrics have changed over time. I tend to like his older stuff for the raw nature and his new stuff for the depth in simplicity. His music really grew and evolved but his lyrics and music together as a song are natural and meaningful.

Jailhouse Rock - Elvis

You know, it'd almost be worth it just to hear the thing make music.

I own one, can't play it, but have heard it played and it sounded nice in someone elses hands. Made in Canada aren't they? I've often wondered if the Bad Co. song Seagull off their Bad Co. album was about that brand of guitar.

Can't find My Way Home - E.C.

If I have a guitar that has been sitting for some time, how do I know if it needs new strings? This article has given me some inspiration, I'm sure you'll all be sorry later

ever see th t-shirt that says, "If I have to explain it you wouldn't understand." That may not be true in this case, since someone more competent than myself is asking the question. It starts out the same way it has for years, I'm just sitting there, or walking there, or trying to go to sleep, or am already asleep, and words come from an idea that i really didn't think up, it just came. It's sometimes the first line of what i say or the second line, sometimes it only fits a couple of other lines so it goes no where, other times it keeps bleeding through the velvet mesh coloring the page with pleasurable images and well worn eraser smudges. I like the way the eraser smells after rubbing out a word that doesn't connect the ideas. Sometimes the pencil pushes itself through the lines and sometimes I drag it along. In either case, I have to do it. The nerves won't let my arm stop moving until there is a sense of accomplishment. That doesn't mean there is always a song at the end of the journey, usually just a verse. And for some reason, i can't really remember the unfinished verses that are stuffed in drawers and books and nooks and niches to know whether or not any of the stray pieces might fit together and actually make a song. It's not like taking a dog for a walk, there really isn't a set path or course. My poetic compass isn't always pointed in the right direction so I write to find my way. There, that's it, I write to find my way. MP

Last weekend i was on a trip and couldn't sleep. I'd get to sleep but a ticker tape of words kept going by waking me up. I thought I better get up and write this down but I didn't. Who knows what that song was about. Not only have I never done it in one sitting, I now use another tool...i post up the lyrics and get an opinion from someone else before i think it's complete. I'm comfortable getting a second opinion. I even rewrite after i think it's finished, it's like the thing is never done. Pull and polish, yank and crunch...then polish again.

Would the use of the cliché' fall into this discussion. I've noticed i use a good amount of them in lyrics. I write with my ear and even though the words seem to flow well together, when I sit back afterwards and read over the lyric, the mood falls at times. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was happening. Even though the message was clear, it ended up uninteresting. Yet it still sounded good. My mind would just veer off for a while, and if no spark ever came back, would stay gone. I get what's happening, but feel like the bleeding is so bad in some of the lyrics it would take a complete rewrite or scrapping altogether to bring it up to speed. See there, everyone knows what I'm talking about. It sounds good. But it completely washes out the sentence. It doesn't make the sentence memorable, and I think that's the problem in some lyrics. Or, does the underlayment of music carry clichés onto the next verse with little noticeable falter as well? I would think that if it falls with no music, it would fall with music, but as I am not a musician, and have yet to collaborate with one, I don't have any experience with the marriage of the two aspects other than the fact that I have listened to music all my life.

I haven't written it yet.