Are there any basic rules in writing song lyrics?

That is, as far as rhythm and rhyming go? Do you know of any really good resources that might give me some tips and help me get started? Also, from your experience, is it easier overall to write lyrics to existing music, or to write music for existing lyrics?

Are there any basic rules in writing song lyrics?
Hi Playboymommy--





Coming from someone who's been playing/composing/writing since 1990, I'd have to say that the *main* rule is: there are no rules. Allow me to clarify...





If you are a lyricist/singer, you may find it easier to write the lyrics without a set melody or chord progression in mind. If so, if you get together with and present them to a couple of musicians (whom you trust and won't rip off your stuff for themselves), they may have some musical ideas to put forth to complement your words.





Conversely (and this is the case with me, as I am a guitarist), I get riff ideas out of the blue, write 'em down *immediately* (something you should do whether it's riffs OR lyrics), come up with some sort of chord/rhythm sequence, and after playing the thing a few times at varying speeds, different keys, etc., I get a feel for what kind of song is being born (slow/ballad, fast all-out metal mania, or anything in between), and base the title/lyrics on what that particular piece of music "feels" like.





Either way, if you come up with music or lyrics that yank at your heartstrings and/or grabs you by the balls (metaphorically speaking, of course!), you've got a winner on your hands... With practice, dedication, and especially passion, you will find a way to fit one to the other.





Best of luck!
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Two points!


Best answer!!! :) Bwahahahahahahaha...
Reply:Theres a book called Idiots Guide to Songwriting. Idk how useful that will be to you. but its there.
Reply:it doesn't have to rhyme, it has to flow like water, and it's helpful to write music as you go along and record it, too, but you can record your tune, put it on tape, and write music to it as well. Usually, you have a verse, chorus, either new or existing verse, chorus, possible bridge, maybe another verse, chorus, chorus (repeat desired amount of times) Hope that helped!
Reply:well there are no real rules music comes from the heart there simply can not be rules on what you feel or think it is easier to write to a beat already out there then just plain writing to nothing hope that helps
Reply:I find that in writing music there are really no rules unless you'd prefer to stick to a very specific genre. In which case you should listen to your favorite artists and how their music is structured. Even if you want to come up with something different you should still be listening to a lot of the big artists out there who inspire you and draw from what you learn by listening to their music. When someone first begins to write books they are told to read a lot of books. It's the same with music. When you first begin to write music you should listen to a lot of it. Learning to play an instrument also helps tremendously.





As far as rhyming goes, lots of songs don't even have any rhymes. It all depends on your style. If you want it to rhyme, then make it rhyme. If you don't, then do the oposite. You simply have to go to a place in your mind where you can write straight from the heart. I have also discovered that it's easier to write lyrics to existing music because then you have a basis from which to go off of and you can just experiment with the vocal line and how you're going to carry it. Others find that the reverse is true. You just have to try it out all different way and see what works for you. In music what any artist should strive for is a new, unique, sound. Trying to find rules for song writing and trying to find a structured way to do it will eventually result in you placing yourself in a closed box from which you won't be able to escape later on, causing you to not be able to write any unique material and causing you to sound either like many other artists out there or like the very first song you ever wrote. Music should always be about experimenting and trying to find new sounds to use. Not being stuck in a box. So just start writing and see where it gets you! Hope this helps.





~*~FirEdhel~*~
Reply:For Rhythm, I know all/most mainstream songs are set on a set tempo of 4/4 or 3/4, so it wouldn't be a problem..





For melody, of course there is music theory which is quite useful to learn, but even once you learn, it's usually better to listen to yourself and then you will also include your own style in writing.