Subject: A TIP FOR PERFECT LYRICS WHICH NOBODY THINKS ABOUT
Posted by: keyboardfreak |
hi guys... i have to make this point. i am a 15 year old male from the uk, and love writing songs. loads of ppl on here write great lyrics, but theres one thing they never take into account. SYLLABLE COUNT... why is it that sum1 will write words all over the place. here is an example of 2 verses with totally different syllable counts. these will be shown as (i write these off the top of my head so dont shout at me for them being nonsense). The key shows syllable length.
KEY - S=short, L=long
SONG 1
Verse 1
S S S S L S S L S L
Why is it that grief brings me so much pain
S L S S L S L
I dont seem to un-der-stand
S S S L L S L
It makes me want to cry lots
S L L L S L
I have no hol-ding hand
Verse 2
S L S L S L S S S L
But now my fear in-side has come to stay
L S S L L
No-bo-dy knows why
S S S L L L
For now i do not say
S S S L S L
My fear is deep and dry
As you can see here, syllables are all over the place. The number of "S" and "L" on each line should be the same for each verse. Also, different words have different lengths and accents although they have the same number of syllables (eg "inside, the syllables are S-L, as english suggests you say in siiiide, and holding has L-S, as one would say holllll ding). Make sure there is equality in what you say. This also goes for choruses, bridges, etc. Here is the same thing, with a few words changed to make a much better lyric count.
SONG 2
Verse 1
S S L L L S L L
Oh Why does grief bring so much pain
S L L S L L
I can-not un-der-stand
S L L L S L L
I have just been urged to cry
S L L S L L
There is-no hol-ding hand
Verse 2
S S L L L S L L
And so my fear has come to stay
S L L S L L
And no-bo-dy knows why
S S L L L S L L
But all i feel is "i cant say"
S L L S L L
Coz now my fear is dry
So, by changing the lyrics round and a little bit of thought, we can create a distinctive pattern in syllables, making it a much catchier song and easier rythm. I rushed the above example but given more time i could go into more detail.
I know i am a 15 year old, but believe me, just by remembering the above, your lyrics could go a long way
Thanx
Rob
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Subject: Re: A TIP FOR PERFECT LYRICS WHICH NOBODY THINKS A
Posted by: Hobes |
Thanks Rob.
Most of us with any experience do think about it though... Quite a bit actually.
Meter and stressed syllables have a lot to do with how the lines flow. And even though it can be important, it's not a guarantee for a good lyric. Never sacrifice meaning or word choice.
For example, in the song "Movies" by Alien Ant Farm, they use the line: Two can play at this game. However, it is stressed like this in the context of the song:
two CAN play
at THIS game
Sometimes putting the stresses on the wrong syllable can add interest to the song.
It's good to try to match up syllable count, meter and such for corresponding lines. But every rule can be bent, so don't place TOO much importance on it. Say what needs to be said in an interesting way.
hobes |
Subject: Re: A TIP FOR PERFECT LYRICS WHICH NOBODY THINKS A
Posted by: old_dan |
Also keep in mind these are lyrics which imply music which implies a melody. And very often holding a syllable for two counts can add interest.
But you are right about structure. It needs to be there. |
Subject: Re: A TIP FOR PERFECT LYRICS WHICH NOBODY THINKS A
Posted by: handsupmonkey |
yeah but the words have their own rhythm which creates its own excitement.  |
Subject: Re: A TIP FOR PERFECT LYRICS WHICH NOBODY THINKS A
Posted by: handsupmonkey |
| yeah but the words have their own rhythm which creates its own excitement.
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