songwriting?

[evil^milk]

I know artists may vary styles in their songwriting, but what is the more conventional way? Are you supposed to start off with an idea, and then sort of write ideas concerning your songs? Then how do you put it into a melody that goes with the song?

Just listen to the song Replaceable by the The Killers and you'll see what I'm talking about... the lyrics just fit in so well with the song and well the song seems like a very organized, polished idea.

so I was just wondering if there are any songwriters here or if any of you knew something related to this. :)

[DeusExMachina]

I like to write songs for my little band thing here and there. I just wrote a series of haikus we converted into a song a couple days ago. I usually write the lyrics and then find a melody to it.

[IonizeMyAtoms]

My advice on writing: do NOT look to the Killers for writing advice

There's really no "conventional" way, a lot of times I'll be playing around on my guitar and come up with something I like and add some lyrics. Other times I'll just be writing and figure stuff out later, it all depends on how the music and lyrics sound together in the end, what with line breaks, etc

[evil^milk]

hehe, do you consider them bad? or maybe it's just that i'm not too appreciative of the good stuff that's out there... but what would be considered good lyrics in a general view (bands, songs)? i suppose they vary with people, though, and you'd have to study poetry or stuff

edit: btw i didn't really mean the lyrics of the killers' song itself but how the melody of it ties in so well and altogether creates a cool thing to listen to ;)

[IonizeMyAtoms]

I do consider them bad. Obviously people have different opinions, but I think cashing in on what's popular is the lamest thing you can do. Granted, I haven't heard much Killers, but what I have heard was the most boring, bland, unoriginal pop I've ever heard
But again, it's only my opinion :)

[DeusExMachina]

I heard a remix of one of their songs. That was about the only good thing I could say about the Killers.

[evil^milk]

lol, i'm a pop lover

but i insist, try listening to that particular song







ok no

[evil^milk]

actually what upsets me is how people can't appreciate the things they don't like, if that makes sense :rolling:

it just seems that listening to something popular is bad enough, and makes me feel like a sort of ignorant, but yeah i guess it all comes down to taste...

i have many things to learn

[Arc]

Meh, I don't think the Killers are bad at all. I don't consider they're pop, especially because pop nowadays is very much like hip-hop. And if they're too popular now it's because more people have realized how good they are. Besides, I do think they manage to create a very unique sound, unlike a lot of today's bands which just sound like each other and are too generic. But whatever, to each his own

[D€vIL²]

I rarely every write songs, i just come up with grooves, usually based around an idea for a drum part in my head. Then overtime I write different riffs that go well with each other and throw em together and just jam...

[StardogChampion]

I know artists may vary styles in their songwriting, but what is the more conventional way? Are you supposed to start off with an idea, and then sort of write ideas concerning your songs? Then how do you put it into a melody that goes with the song?
The lead singer of Pearl Jam is one of the best lyricists around.

They write a lot of songs by jamming together in a room - the drummer drumming a random beat, then the guitarist will jump in with something, then the bass player etc, then the lead singer mumbles some sort of melody without proper lyrics. Then they record that onto a tape, and the lead singer takes it home and works on some proper lyrics then brings them in finished the next day, or sometimes on the same day.

I'd say that's the best way. Trying to wrap music around lyrics doesn't work as well, and doesn't sound as natural.

Also, I don't like The Killers either. They're one of those bands that just sing songs about some generic "girl" that doesn't even exist. So many bands just sing about generic females, and it's pretty sad. They have absolutely nothing to say, and as soon as they make their millions they'll be gone.

[ComradeBadger]

I like the Killers, I enjoy their music :D

My songs tend to come from firstly what kinda tune I'm playing, then lyrics come - so yea :)

[evil^milk]

that's good info, thanks StarDog

thanks all :)