Topic: Writing songs

I've been recntly trying to write a song but its not going too well, can anyone give me some pointers on how to write a song?

Re: Writing songs

personaly the biggest tip i could give you is dont force it if you force it you'll generally look back and say WOW that stunk...but when it comes just write...keep a comp notebook handy

Re: Writing songs

I agree with butterbeang - keep ideas in a notebook or somewhere.  Ideas come from anywhere and everywhere.  Ideas can be words, ryhthms, melodies, or anything.


Also, don't try to hit a home run each time . . . write short, simple songs to start with  - keep them simple . . .

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Writing songs

Hey, I Agree With The Other Two Replies.

But If Your Going To Make The Song, Then Make Chords/Tabs For It On Your Guitar,I Suggest That You Make The Chords/Tabs First, Then Make The Lyrics Fit In With It.


Personally I Find This Easier And Quicker.  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

Re: Writing songs

Writting songs should not be a chore. If you try to hard it will take for ever. Songs usually just come together. Just let it come to you.

Re: Writing songs

Yes- songwriting shouldn't be a chore, but I only achieve results when I invest some deliberate effort and energy into the process.  If I don't consciously work at transforming my raw ideas into something useful, then all I have is bunch of raw ideas that sit around and rot.


For me, it is an enjoyable task to try and cobble few notes and words together into something new.  I do it a little each day - not every day is productive. But without the regular effort, I don't think my little "Aha!" moments would occur.  Those "Aha!" moments are wonderful and well worth all the effort and energy invested in the process.


Yes - songs do eventually somehow come together (or not) - but it only happens for me when I apply some steady push to the material.

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Writing songs

Thanks this is realy helping me!

Re: Writing songs

Hi David,


Good replies there.

You can cheat. Think of an easy song, or a hard one, use the rythum and chords and structure but just change the words. That is unless you plan to make money from it.

I write songs and sometimes I write only one verse and cannot think of anything else, but i dont give up on it, I save it into my computer on word document under "SONG IDEAS" then go back to them now and then and pull some out and add more to them, some are still sitting there since 2001, i have got some lyrics scribbled down from 1995 that I have done no more with.


But whatever you do, as long as you like it then you enjoy it.

David Bowie said something that inspired me to continue writing when Some people told me my songs were not that good. Mr Bowie says " If you write a song and you like it then someone in the world somewhere will like it too so dont dismiss it"  ( maybe not his exact words but very close to it)



Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending

Re: Writing songs

Ok I know I'm new on here so I don't know how well my opinion will be valued but the truth is youkind of have to stumble upon the best way for you to write. Honestly I have no set way of doing it. I can write a whole song in a day if I have the depth to say what I want to perfectly. Other times I struggle and try to force the words sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.


Here are my tips:


1) keep something with you to jot words that you think sound good.

2) Focus on the message of the song whether or not anyone else understands the message or not.

3) If you write poetry great! You know about your rhyme and meters so it should be easy to fit lines.

4) Write an rant about whatever you want to talk about, then go back and try to make the words match, sometimes you have to change a sentance and sometimes just a word.

5) Try different ways, write the music first try to get the words afterwards, or write the words and then try to get the music right.


I hope this helps!

Re: Writing songs

hi zombie,

doesnt matter if you are new or not, every reply here will be valued by at least one person that reads it i would think so it has some value.


When you write songs is it the lyrics and the music together or lyrics first then music, or vice versa?


I think what you had said is great advice too, something I do a lot. I write my rants down a lot ( and I have a lot) and also the bit where you said about a message in a song even if no one else knows what you mean, I do that an awful lot, most of my songs have some sort of meaning and usually having a go at someone in disguise as a song and sometimes I am the only one that knows about it and it will stay that way.

With a song wrote like that you can put more feeling into the song and normally comes across as a better written song.


do you ever put any stuff on the net in form of a video?


Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending

Re: Writing songs

Actually when I get back from Iraq I plan on recording some and seeing what I can from there. It feels like forever since I actually sat down and played a song with somone playing bass, drums, etc. I miss it!

Re: Writing songs

Thanks guys! I used that rant idea and came up with an....okish sort of song, nothing to fancy. When I perfect it I'll definatley post it here!



Thanks again, David

Re: Writing songs

well i have been writing songs for a long tym now .. 37 songs and counting.

My advice is to hav the basic format..

Verse .. Chorus.. Verse .. another chorus if wanted .. bridge and then and ending to the song, perhaps the chorus or a coda. I usually write a song based on something .. a feeling, theme.. u no?

Well hope i hav been of some help.

I would be more than happy to post one of my songs up for you as help.. if u ever need to  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

Re: Writing songs

Agreed - having a basic template to work within is very helpful.  Rather than being restrictive, working within a basic pattern enables one to have a definate beginning, middle, and end for your creation.


Other examples of this 'structured approach' to creative writing are Japanese haiku, sonnets, and limmericks.  Composers of classical music also use pre-established patterns such as sonatas, fugues, and symphonies to give their compositions a basic form.


Rather than being restictive, these basic forms provide a stable framework within which the creative process can flourish.  For the composer/poet/songwriter the benefit is that the creative process has a general direction.  This general direction does not dictate precise steps - it merely provides a context for the process.


I find that songwriting is a process of discovery.  I sort of 'discover' song ideas and then as the process unfolds I 'discover' more words or melodies or rhythms.  I try to get the skeleton of a song built first - this skeleton is usually some very simple pre-existing structure (verse, chorus, verse, bridge, etc.).

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Writing songs

cool thanks guys

Re: Writing songs

Like you guys I write songs from time to time. My inspiration is ususlly a lady and as you can guess it will probably be a love song.


The problem I find is that friends and family always say they like my work as they don't want to offend. Offering words and tabs on Chordie is no answer as no two people will ever sing the song the same way. So what we need is a new index at the top of the page putting 'My song' between 'My songbook' and 'Resources' where we can upload original songs we have written and recorded and invite constructive comment from others.


This is probably not possible but would be great if it could be done, and who knows maybe some Chordie member could end up with a number one hit.


Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Re: Writing songs

Yes - having a simple way to share recordings of original songs would be a nice addition to chordie's many useful features.  Chordie's creator had announced last year that he was in the process of creating a sister site (tentative name 'chordshare' I believe?) for just such a thing.


In the meantime, there are other existing alternatives - for instance, upyerkilt (Ken) has put some videos on youtube and posted links in this forum.  Other users have put stuff up on MySpace pages or personal websites along with forum links to the recordings.


Once I get around to acquiring the necessary software and gear ($$$!), I will probably do the same.  Like you, I could probably benefit from the feedback of other musicians and songwriters.

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Writing songs

As Ken (upyerkilt) stated earlier in this thread, sometimes it's useful to just 'borrow' chords and a melody and a lyric meter that somebody else has used.  Here is a song I just finished that is a direct 'borrowing' of John Mayer's "Waiting For the World to Change".


I was attracted to this tune because of the elegantly simple chord structure and the great rhythm of the lyric - so I fit my own words into the basic framework. 


Perhaps some of the other family guys (and gals) out there will identify with the sentiment of my version of the song?

<div class="song"><link rel="StyleSheet" href="../css/chordie.css" type="text/css" media="screen" title="Chordie style"><div id="singlesong"><div id="singlesongc"><div class="header"><h1 class="finaltitle"> While the Kids are Away</h1><h2 class="finalartist" style="text-decoration: none">by James McCormick, January 26, 2007</h2></div><div class="song"><div id="firstcol"><div class="textline"><span class="comment">based on the melody & meter of "Waiting for the World to Change" by John Mayer</span>

</div><div class="chordline">We can <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>talk and laugh all <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>evening, we can <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>dance the hours a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Our <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>house is like a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>beach resort where <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>we can both just <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="chordline">The <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are gone we're <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>here alone, the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>silence seems so <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>strange

</div><div class="chordline">Let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>open up a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>little wine, re-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lax, and ease the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>strain

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', while the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', come <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>on girl let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="chordline">It's so <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>nice to be a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lone with you, such a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>rare and a wonderful <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>thing

</div><div class="chordline">So <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>snuggle up a little <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>closer girl, let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>have ourselves a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>fling . . .

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', while the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', come <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>on girl let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div><div class="chordline">A few <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>years ago on a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>Friday night, we would be <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>out on the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>town

</div><div class="chordline"><span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>You and me in the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>big city just <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>sportin' it all a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>round

</div><div class="chordline">We would <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>hit the clubs. <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lookin' cool, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kickin' up our <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>heels

</div><div class="chordline">Yeah we <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>looked so tough <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>cruisin' round in my <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>home-built hotrod <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>wheels

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', while the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', come on <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>girl let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div><div class="chordline">Well <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>nowadays we <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>get around in af-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>fordable family se-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>dans

</div></div><div id="secondcol"><div class="chordline">A <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>hotrod just don't <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>get it when you're <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>on the family <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>plan

</div><div class="chordline">Hey but <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>that was then, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>this is now and our <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lives they have pro-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>gressed

</div><div class="chordline">So <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>many things to <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>think about, it's so <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>easy to get <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>stressed

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', while the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', come <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>on girl let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div><div class="chordline">The <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids need stuff, our <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>jobs are hard, and the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>bills sure need to be <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>paid

</div><div class="chordline">And If I <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>had to do it <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>all alone I <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>sure would be a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>fraid

</div><div class="chordline">But <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin' we are <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>quite the team, we've <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>built a fami-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>ly

</div><div class="chordline">Our <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lives are full of do-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>mestic bliss, it's as <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>good as it can <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>be

</div><div class="chorus"><div class="textline">

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', while the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', come <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>on girl let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="chordline">It's so <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>nice to be a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>lone with you, such a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>rare and a wonderful <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>thing

</div><div class="chordline">So <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>snuggle up a little <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>closer girl, let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>have ourselves a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>fling . . .

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', while the <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>kids are a-<span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>way

</div><div class="chordline">Let's have a <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">D</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>date, <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">Am</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>darlin', <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">F</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>come on <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">G</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>girl let's <span class="bracket">[</span><span class="relc"><span class="absc">C</span></span><span class="bracket">]</span>play

</div><div class="textline"></div>

</div>
</div></div><div class="grids"><img class="chord" alt="Am" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i2/Amchord_N02210_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="C" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i8/Cchord_N32010_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="D" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i2/Dchord_NN0232_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="F" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i6/Fchord_133211_1.png" /> <img class="chord" alt="G" src="http://www.chordie.com../ramimages/i0/Gchord_320003_1.png" /> </div></div></div><div style="display:none">

{t:While the Kids are Away}

{st:by James McCormick, January 26, 2007}

{c:based on the melody & meter of "Waiting for the World to Change" by John Mayer}

We can [C]talk and laugh all [Am]evening, we can [F]dance the hours a-[C]way

Our [G]house is like a [Am]beach resort where [F]we can both just [C]play

The [C]kids are gone we're [Am]here alone, the [F]silence seems so [C]strange

Let's [D]open up a [Am]little wine, re-[F]lax, and ease the [C]strain

{soc}

Let's have a [C]date, [Am]darlin', while the [F]kids are a-[C]way

Let's have a [D]date, [Am]darlin', come [F]on girl let's [C]play

It's so [F]nice to be a-[C]lone with you, such a [G]rare and a wonderful [C]thing

So [F]snuggle up a little [C]closer girl, let's [Am]have ourselves a [G]fling . . .

Let's have a [C]date, [Am]darlin', while the [F]kids are a-[C]way

Let's have a [D]date, [Am]darlin', come [F]on girl let's [C]play

{eoc}

A few [C]years ago on a [Am]Friday night, we would be [F]out on the [C]town

[G]You and me in the [Am]big city just [F]sportin' it all a-[C]round

We would [C]hit the clubs. [Am]lookin' cool, [F]kickin' up our [C]heels

Yeah we [D]looked so tough [Am]cruisin' round in my [F]home-built hotrod [C]wheels

{soc}

Let's have a [C]date, [Am]darlin', while the [F]kids are a-[C]way

Let's have a [D]date, [Am]darlin', come on [F]girl let's [C]play

{eoc}

Well [C]nowadays we [Am]get around in af-[F]fordable family se-[C]dans

A [D]hotrod just don't [Am]get it when you're [F]on the family [C]plan

Hey but [C]that was then, [Am]this is now and our [F]lives they have pro-[C]gressed

So [D]many things to [Am]think about, it's so [F]easy to get [C]stressed

{soc}

Let's have a [C]date, [Am]darlin', while the [F]kids are a-[C]way

Let's have a [D]date, [Am]darlin', come [F]on girl let's [C]play

{eoc}

The [C]kids need stuff, our [Am]jobs are hard, and the [F]bills sure need to be [C]paid

And If I [D]had to do it [Am]all alone I [F]sure would be a-[C]fraid

But [C]darlin' we are [Am]quite the team, we've [F]built a fami-[C]ly

Our [D]lives are full of do-[Am]mestic bliss, it's as [F]good as it can [C]be

{soc}

Let's have a [C]date, [Am]darlin', while the [F]kids are a-[C]way

Let's have a [D]date, [Am]darlin', come [F]on girl let's [C]play

It's so [F]nice to be a-[C]lone with you, such a [G]rare and a wonderful [C]thing

So [F]snuggle up a little [C]closer girl, let's [Am]have ourselves a [G]fling . . .

Let's have a [C]date, [Am]darlin', while the [F]kids are a-[C]way

Let's have a [D]date, [Am]darlin', [F]come on [G]girl let's [C]play

{eoc}

</div>

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Writing songs

I'm curious, does anyone know any sites devoted to song writing?

Re: Writing songs

Here are some links you may find to be useful.  There are very many songwriting sites out there.  Be wary of anyone who wants money to enter a song into a contest.  Many of these sites have good advice and pointers -

<a href="http://www.irenejackson.com/tips.html" target="_blank">http://www.irenejackson.com/tips.html</a>

<a href="http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtips.htm" target="_blank">http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtips.htm</a>

<a href="http://www.ultimatesongwriting.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ultimatesongwriting.com/</a>

<a href="http://www.lyricalline.com/articles/19moresongwritingtips.html" target="_blank"> http://www.lyricalline.com/articles/19m … ingtips.ht ml</a>

<a href="http://www.bloggingmuses.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bloggingmuses.com/</a>

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

Re: Writing songs

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>David  137 wrote on Sun, 28 January 2007 05&#58;48</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I'm curious, does anyone know any sites devoted to song writing?
</td></tr></table>


Hi David


I do not know when or if it is still going to happen but Pere ( the admin and oner of chordie) says he is starting a new site for songwriters to put on their own written songs in the form of MP3 or wav files.


Not heard much more about this.


thin kit is time for a question to the man himself


Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending

Re: Writing songs

Awesome if you have any more info please tell me

Re: Writing songs

It helps me sometimes to sing the lyrics as they come to me. Usually one line will lead me right to another. Plus it is frustrating to have lyrics and when I go to add some music it won't flow because there is no proper metre to it. I usually drum on my lap or table or whatever as i'm singing the song out loud or in my head and that helps. Then it's just a matter of finding the chords that harmonize. Then I start finding the bass lines and lead riffs and before long I have a new song. Hope it helps!!!

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm

Re: Writing songs

Hey I am the owner of the site <a href="http&#58;&#47;&#47;www.bloggingmuses.com" target="_blank">Blogging Muses</a> and came across this via my referrer logs. Thanks for including my site with some of those great sites.


For David137, I have a few articles that I feel work really great for someone just starting out writing songs:



<a href="http&#58;&#47;&#47;www.bloggingmuses.com/archives/good_artists_copy_great_artists_steal_so_do_songwriters_000448.php" target="_blank">Good artists copy, great artists steal. So do songwriters.</a>

Helps discuss how you can use existing songs to come up with original songs.


<a href="http&#58;&#47;&#47;www.bloggingmuses.com/archives/songwriting_for_beginners_roundup_000290.php" target="_blank">Songwriting For Beginners - A Series</a>

Helpful for new songwriters, starting from the assumption you know nothing about songwriting.


<a href="http&#58;&#47;&#47;www.bloggingmuses.com/archives/capturing_song_ideas_roundup_000389.php" target="_blank">Capturing and Remembering Song Ideas</a>

Another series of articles on how to remember songwriting ideas that pop into your head at inopportune times.


<a href="http&#58;&#47;&#47;www.bloggingmuses.com/songwriting_tips/" target="_blank">Songwriting Tips</a> Group Project

A place where everyone contributes songwriting tips in exchange for liberal promotion of their own personal projects. There are tips there for everyone.


Hope that helps, and if there is anything else I can do or if you have site suggestions, please let me know.


Thanks!


Don Mak

www.bloggingmuses.com

Re: Writing songs

Hello Don Mak and we are honored with your presence here in this little corner of the wild wild web!  You have a great site - lots of practical and well-written advice.  James

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]