The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => The Writing Process => Topic started by: Jack Simmons on August 03, 2012, 08:28:44 PM
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So I have this chorus I've had hanging around for ages now that I really like, but whenever I try to add something before it or after it it just comes off sounding silly or not right to me. The longer it lies around useless the harder it's becoming to add anything to it. Does anyone else have a similar problem? Any tips for getting over it?
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Apart from the obvious ( work on something else until it comes) I would suggest working backwards step by step
I.e. work on a "climb" from the non-existent verse in to your killer chorus
Really work on "setting up" that chorus - both melodically and lyrically - to ensure you maximise the pay off
If you can get the climb sorted I am sure the verses will come easily
I would suggest looking at "opposites" for the verses - ie if the chorus is long/held syllables make the verse have shorter syllables
Think the same for lyrics - perhaps a change of tense (past to future) or perspective (me to you) etc.
These are just a few ideas but would need to know more detail of what you are stuck on and how the chorus sounds
Good luck and don't give up - it WILL come!!!
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P.M it to me..and i will give you an idea.
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Im abit like you, I come up with a decent chord and melody but can't fit owt around it, (for the time being).
Instead of letting it do my head in i just get it recorded and re-discover it 2-3 months down the line when i playback all my incomplete song ideas.
During them 2-3 months i might have found a new artist that im playing over and over and i might write a song in their style/genre. sometimes the incomplete ideas fit perfectly and i have a new song.
Just don't get disheartened or think you are wasting a good song if you don't complete writing it within a few days or so. Something will eventually crop up for you. just be patient
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What`s really going on here is you`ve not worked out your story.....it`s not that difficult thinking up little lines of verse that sound interesting....but they can sit there in your mind like an island,...isolated.
So ,if a chorus worthy verse hits you and you think it could be a good song,you need to build a story around it..
Also don`t be afraid to delete..maybe your idea isn`t as good as you imagine!
But i agree that going back after a break and looking with fresh eyes is beneficial.