The Soup Stanza

[Nightwolf]

Allan posted up a Lyric recently and got called out for a line that appeared forced. He admitted that it was a last minute addition. Sorry to use you as an example Allan, hope it's ok

So, when you know a line is forced how do you know whether or not you should change it?

When does it move from a place holder to Lyric?

Sometimes these placeholders are needed to keep the Lyric from fading into obscurity in our minds for lack of a line, so they are an important part of the writing process!

Many popular songs from our past have lines that in my mind would be nothing more than placeholders, yet we sing along, because the writers decided to roll with it.

I think these are some good topics for discussion, I am going to start another thread for identifying placeholders in our classic songs from the past just for fun!

[john]

Hey

For me each line has to jump through various joops to make it to the final lyric. Every line fulfills a purpose.

To me, a forced line will be changed 9 times out of 10. The exception is where the forced nature lends to meaning or memorability in a good way. Most forced lines however detract from meaning (or at least distract), and they don't help with "good" memorability. I find they break the flow of the lyric and pull the listener out of the picture you are trying to paint.

A line makes it when it passes numerous tests (I've written about these elsewhere) and I like it.

Just because we sing along with those lyrics doesn't mean it was right to do it. Occasionally it might help a song, but often the lyric is the meat on the bone that helps a song survive passed it's sell by date.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying lyrics need to be sensible, but whatever style they are written in, they need to keep their integrity as a song.

Cheers

John

[Rudi]

I recently removed a whole verse because of a forced line that wouldnt be persuaded to work.

[Thrithwaite]

I recently removed a whole verse because of a forced line that wouldnt be persuaded to work.

I recently removed a whole lyric for the same reason!