Hey
Thanks for the further replies.
Boydie! Some sound advice mate, thank you. My usual approach is to find a chord progression or riff I like and then sing whatever comes to mind. I then jot this down and maybe elaborate a little until soon I see a concept I want to go with. I then use this concept to write the rest of the lyrics and quite often they come pouring out and fit really well. I stumble when I get to the point where I am almost there with the lyric but seem to be missing a line or even just a word and in the past I have had to strip songs back to move forward.
I really appreciate the advise about mind maps etc because although my current methods have yielded results I am happy with I still wander if they could be better (and of course more often a not they can). I think the problem I have with my approach is that I do not explore enough verse and chorus ideas around the theme to really tell the story in the best concise way. I kind of use what I have because it sounds right. Having said all that I have definitely noticed an improvement in my song writing since joining this forum and having my work critiqued.
I see what you're saying with poetry. It doesn't always fit the music and I'm sure there is often a better words to use poetically that just doesn't sound right sung. So although they overlap there is definitely a difference.
Oldbutyet - yes, some wisdom in your words there. It's funny the amount of times that I have sat in front of the PC or with my notebook trying to think of lyrics and I'm really struggling until eventually I need to toilet (or something...) and bam the words come to me! It's like when you lose you keys and they turn up when you stop looking for them. Of course sometimes they are lost and never to be found.
Jenna - I really like that idea of the 1000 word thing. I bet it's great for finding useful lines, phrases etc! I so have to give that a go. I have a blog so I'm tempted to write up on there and see what spills out! Not tonight though - another night when I have more time. That might be my project for my next song
Martin - Wise words! and yes I relate to that completely. I think we must write in a similar style. I have been writing this way for years and I feel it's time I added more tools to my tool kit! It's quite refreshing trying new angles.
Thanks all for your help replies
Darren