Didn't know where to put this, so I guess this works.

When writing a song, do you find it easier to write the lyrics and then the instrumental parts, or vice versa?

Thanks.

Song first....

That's what I figured but I've been getting alot of mixed responses. Maybe I just need better sources...

I think it can pretty much go either way, but I always tend to write the music first, then lyrics for it, because I can make it flow better that way.

I do both seperately and then later look through my lyrics archive and try to see which one matches up with which song.

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I do that too. Either that or song then lyrics.

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I tend to write out songs in my notebook with some sort of tune in my head for the way they'll go, then mess around till I find something that fits.

I was taught traditionally, so I write the lyrics first. Writting lyrics to an instrumental part can make them sound very forced. I write the lyrics, then separate them into sylables, then find a time signature that shounds good for them, and separate them into bars, and from then on I know the basic characteristics of the instrumental part, and to that I tailor an instrumental part.

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Wow, that's cool, B'C'. That may help me out. I'm horseshit when it comes to writing music to my lyrics.

I generally write lyrics because I do that better than music, but sometimes they come together. It's like a mind takeover and all of a sudden a piece comes to me that fits together perfectly both lyrically and musically. Maybe about 4 times in 5 years has that happened though.

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song first definatly. My first band was really annoying cos one of our vocalist just had a shit load of lyrics, he came up to me "write some't for them". The end result wasn't amazing, i got bored at one point and decided to jumble up a mobile phone number...think DEP finding Raging Speedhorn along the way. My next band, for which i did vocals; lyrics & riffs, it was much much easier to write the songs as a collective before even thinking about putting any lyrics to it. Twas kinda easier aswell being the head riff writer aswell as the guy who writes all the lyrics, as soon as i knew what our drummer had to a riff i knew the kind of flow of the vocals, which in turn made it easier to write the lyrics...i spose most other vocalist and lyricists know the same too.

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song first, then we will fit the lyrics in, so some parts could be played slower or faster or complete different... depends

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First the song, and then the lyrics. But most of the time I make both at the same time, because the music I compose use vocals more as an instrument, without spoken words, more for melodies etc.

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Song first. The lyrics should accompany the music in theme. An Opeth song wouldnt fit with lyrics about sodomizing 60 unborn fetuses in an alley.

Then again i guess you can write lyrics and then write the song according to the type of lyrics. but anyway, i prefer song first.

Im not a singer, therfor I dont write lyrics. But if our vocalist has a melody than I'll write a riff to go with it.

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I'm not a singer, but I enjoy writting lyrics very much, I think everyone should do it because it gives a person a better look at the way a song works. It can always come in handy.

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This is sick, but I have to share it. To the tune of "100 Bottles of Beer"

60 unborn fetuses in an alley
60 unborn fetuses in an alley
Pick one up and pass it around
60 unborn fetuses in an alley

59 unborn fetuses in an alley
59 unborn fetuses in an alley
Pick one up and pass it around
59 unborn fetuses in an alley

Everybody sing!!!!


(See where Wally gets it from?)

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