[finestrat]

Hi
This is my 1st post so please don't judge me too harshly!

I've just started writing some lyrics, I've tried a few different styles.  This one is called Can't Cope

I'm finding it difficult to put it to music.

 
Feel like my life is over now
Reason for living  taken away
My heart's still beating and I'm still breathing
But just existing from day to day

Don't think I can cope with this much longer
Trying hard but I need to be much stronger
I see your face in every place we used to go
My heart is breaking but I mustn't let it show

I try and hide from all the people that we knew
Can't talk about the times I shared with you
Its far too painful  I can't see any end
Keep thinking that my heart will never mend

They say that time's a great healer
Somebody tells me every day
I get the feeling that I'm not healing
No matter what the cliches say

[tmusic16]

I sang this along to my guitar alternating chords of C G F and Am G F and it was sort of similar to the tune of Iris since your posted song already seemed familiar even though this was the first viewing for myself. I love the lyrics though and it flows nicely throughout. As for the tune it does work nicely in comparison to Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls but you can easily edit it to sound original. (:

[CaliaMoko]

I don't know the song Iris, so I can't speak to how it would fit to that particular melody, but tmusic's post does suggest it's possible to set this to music.

That being said, I'm wondering exactly what type of problem you're having. Do you have a melody in mind but are having trouble getting your words to fit?

You have your lyric divided into sections, but I can't tell if you intend the sections to stand as verses and choruses, just verses, verses and bridge, or something else....  The rhythm patterns are inconsistent from section to section, which might be one factor in your difficulty setting it to music.

If tmusic's idea doesn't bear fruit for you, maybe try analyzing your structure into verses and choruses or whatever you have in mind and post the results. That could help us help you.

Good luck with it!
Vicki

[finestrat]

Hey Guys

Thanks so much for your replies.

TMusic/CaliaMoko  When I said I was having difficulty putting it to music, It wasn't that the words wouldn't fit, it was getting a melody that had enough variation,  I used Am F G and then Em C D for each verse alternately. The melody sounded a bit flat but there again it's probably down to my voice not being able to hit very high notes.  I was picturing it being sung by somebody like Adele who could put a lot of emotion into it.

The verse
Don't think I can cope with this much longer
Trying hard but I need to be much stronger
I see your face in every place we used to go
My heart is breaking but I mustn't let it show

was intended as a chorus to be used in between the other verses but maybe not every one.

I'll check out  Iris by the Googoo dolls to see if I can get some inspiration.

Once again thanks for looking, you've given me the encouragement to continue

[11]

I love these type of songs Straight from the heart
Most of my stuff is from this style...

I use G, AM, C, plus D Chords...
I mostly Pick... then strum on the Chorus...
This way U can use less Chords...
For the Melody... & it sounds Great...
Depending... on the Song...

Great lyrics...
As i said i love these heartfelt songs...
I mostly Write these... but with melody 1st
I find it better when writing songs... to have the music
Them Empty Ur mind from thoughts...
Play a recording of the music...
Then pen down lyrics.
BUT when writing dont have any direction for the song to go?...
Just let it Create itself... every Song ive Got apart from
1 song outa 30+ are wrote this way...

Just for any future Songs u will write...
give it a go... see how it works for u

[11]

Oh forgot i use GarageBand great App
For Writing Songs...

& a looper is good as well

[finestrat]

Hi Busker

Thanks for your ideas, I think you're right about creating a melody first but I always seem to end up unintentionally plagiarising other people's music.  I will keep trying though.

I bought a Tascam 8 track recorder which is useful and I've downloaded the demo version of fl studio 12 which I'm trying to get my head around but its a very steep learning curve. I find lyrics easy so maybe I need a writing partner for the melodies.

[11]

Hi what i do is when i get a tune in my head...
I humit right away & record it on my iphone with garage band...

Later when i get back to the Melody iplay it back to see how it goes...

Then when i have it in my head again i use a guitar tuner, i hum the melody
I see the notes (chords) & write them down...
Then i should have the rounded melody,
but need to develope the rythm...

But mostly thats how i get melodys from inside my head to guitar...
Then, i will pen out verse1 etc chorus etc
Mid8 etc...

I determine how many lines per verse & chorus
This will then, Give me a good idea of how long i should play the
Melody for... how many Bars  etc....

Once i record to 1 track on GarageBand the Melody
I then put on headphones, clear my thoughts, then play the Melody
& start penning the lyrics...
When i have the Bones of the Song... i just let it evolve
I never have a melody, & determine what the song is going to be about?...
I let the song Just come out from nowhere....

Best way i reckon...

Ur tascam is great for getting a better clearer rounded sound,
I use the Zoom R24 here n there
Just bought a Great Digital Mixing Console...

The Sony DMX-R100
Great bit o kit...
With extra cards it gives me 64 tracks...
Plus even 5.1 surround sound...

But if ok can i suggest to get RC-300 Looper
The best on the market...
It gives u 3hours of play back upto 99 channels
To store on...

Great for songwriting pal;)
Check it out on youtube...

Btw

Name on here is 11

My name is matt

I hope some of this info can help
Am here if u need me

[finestrat]

Hi 11 (Matt)

Sorry I got your username wrong.

Thanks for all the info, sounds like you've got it down to a fine art, I'm going to give it a go. Checked out an amazing demo of the looper here 

  but this guy is a very accomplished guitarist, think I'm going to have to stick to one track at a time for now.

Again, thanks for the heads up on all this,  I'll let you know how I get on.

finestrat (Pete)

[11]

No probs pete

I hope it helps...
It works for me....

I have a song on here called sneakything
I wrote 2 songs in under 2hours
Sneakthing!!.
Oh Why!!.

Sneakything is a ballad but is mostly just 2 chords
With picking & struming for the chorus...
Nowa days the last two lines are changed & the chorus is slightly changed
But still the same song...

Have a listen n & it will give u the idea of how to just picking & struming works, but with less chords
Let me know what u think

[diademgrove]

Hi Finestrat,

this may help. I can rearrange your lyrics into the following if I number your sections 1 to 4.

Sections 1 and 4 can use the same melody line and therefore I'd label them verses 1 and 2. As you've said section 2 is the chorus and would have the same melody every time it was repeated.

Which leaves section 3. I'd call this a bridge and write a different melody for it. You may also consider changing the key.

The structure could be verse 1 - chorus - verse 2 - chorus - bridge - chorus or verses 1 and 2 - chorus bridge - chorus

Great lyrics,

Keith

[rikgrimesisdead]

HEY top job some nice wording and flow
look forward to seeing hearing more

[finestrat]

HEY top job some nice wording and flow
look forward to seeing hearing more

I appreciate that, thank you


Keith, thanks for your suggestions I'll have a play around with it.  Being new to songwriting, I wasn't sure what a bridge was.  I'm glad you liked the lyrics

[Cazrolina]

So very heartfelt. I'm transported back to the heartbreak of my first long term relationship. Doesn't it hurt like ****ing hell!!  But you do indeed look back later with the hindsight of time and new knowledge and when the hot rawness of it all has finally eased off things will always seem ok.  Whats the phrase - it has to hurt if its to heal. Great lyrics. Sorry for adding more cliches

[Mike67]

It's like a poem as written, and I like it.  You could adapt it to make it work as a more traditional song or do something completely different, i.e. just verses and instrumental breaks for variety. Key thing is to just play around with it and see what works for you.  Don't be precious about the words, and don't be afraid to change things to make it scan.  New at this myself, but enjoying the learning.  Best of luck with it, but you're off to a great start.

Mike