[A Question For Non-Musician Lyricists]

Interesting David. I don't find writing words on a blank page all that difficult, but I can't imagine "making up" a song. I've tried writing lyrics to existing music, but didn't enjoy it and found it difficult.

[Verse Help]

"Everything that you've been taught to pursue, has been numbing you from the life I knew, where God is a lie, and life is a fluke"

I see the thought working like this, but you need a final line:

Everything you've been taught to pursue

Has been numbing you to the life you knew

When God is a lie

And life is a fluke

[New Article - Writing Titles For Your Songs]

I've rarely had trouble with a title. Being a lyricist only I often find that I have a title first and simply must write that lyric (or it'll drive me crazy). As an example, a recent one I finished, "Exit Wounds". I've had that title and idea for several months. Knew I wanted to invoke what it means at a crime scene and twist it to be the final breakup of a relationship. And for the longest time could not get the story to come together. Eventally it did, but it was the title that drove me.

[A Question For Non-Musician Lyricists]

If your method is working for you then, why fight it. I did have a few songwriting books that advised lyricists keep a few basic patterns on hand. A straight 8, a shuffle and an occassional waltz. Nothing two busy or exotic.

I wonder if most of us don't have those in our heads without even realizing it? Patterns of familiar songs as opposed to drum beats along? Comes from listening to a lot of music without understanding the theory behind it.

[A Question For Non-Musician Lyricists]

Not usually. I do try to keep some regular pattern between verses and sometimes when lucky I can feel the rhythm in the words. But I don't have enough musical ability to know what the drum pattern should be.

[Song Title Association Game]

Not sure if I'm doing this right. Looking at some answers I'm not sure what the pattern is...

Down By the River (Neil Young)