Writing lyrics is all about words isn't it? Therefore to be a good lyricist you would need a healthy respect for the english language and how it can be made to tell a story, describe things or put across a point of view.
You would need to become very interested in what you read, speak, see and hear around you. First of all lets start with the humble newspaper.
I mentioned in an earlier article that mindfulness and observation are two of the most important qualities that a songwriter needs to have to be able to come up with songwriting ideas on a more consistant basis. What I want to do is (in a series of articles) attempt to expand on that premise just a little bit.
First of all to become interested in words you need to actively seek them out. Words are all around us yet we dont see them or at least we just take them for granted. We especially take for granted what comes out of our mouths. The promises and commitments that we make, the way that we relate to people and the way we assimilate information.
Actively seeking out words does not mean getting a dictionary and reading it from cover to cover but it does mean increasing the amount of reading you currently do.
If you are like me you would be saying to yourself 'but I have no time to read'. My answer to that is 'who says you don't have time?' As a songwriter we cant afford not to have the time to read and generally slow our lives down a bit so we can pick up on what is happening around us.
Start by getting the newspaper every day and really take note of what you read. You are looking for something that jumps out at you. A headline may make a great title for a song, a quote may make a good line for a chorus, an articles theme may make a great song story and so on.
Have a look at the letters to the editor. I find this section most entertaining and it also shows everyday people writing (mostly complaining) about everyday things in everyday language. I find this an absolute goldmine for songwriting ideas.
I know someone who only writes songs when she is angry about something. If this is you then reading the newspaper will be the equivilent to finding a vein of gold. For the rest of us its a good opportunity to just take some quiet time out, grab a notepad and pen and allow the ideas to enter us from the ether. This is a great example of brainstorming for ideas.
Remember, it doesnt matter what you write, what matters is that you actually write.
Until next time, happy writing (and reading),
Corey Stewart
Songwriter/Musician
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