Discussion » Questions » Music » How do songwriters get their ideas? Music first then words, or words first then music?
Benedict Arnold

How do songwriters get their ideas? Music first then words, or words first then music?

Yeah, yeah, it probably depends on the song writer. Have you ever heard a songwriter talking about his/her craft? 

Posted - February 4, 2017
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Responses


  • 10026
    Hi Didge~ I'm chuckling a little to myself because there is a song.  A song most of us know but rarely admit knowing.  It is a song about his craft.  He was very popular in his time, which was not too long ago.  He has a prominent facial feature he is known for and had a by-level haircut at the time.  He is tall and thin and I seem to remember him dressed in either in a baby blue suit or a white tux.  He has a very nice voice, sings mostly love songs and a big smile.  Did you guess?
    That's o.k.   I'll tell ya.  Barry Manilow.  The song is "I Write the Songs."

    If you would like to go with the idea that the words come first, there are many songs about writing poems, books, etc.  Songs do fall under poems put to music.  Here are few you also may know.
    • Paperback Writer (by The Beatles)
    • Every Day I Write the Book (by Elvis Costello)
    • Book of Love (by The Monotones)
    • If You Could Read My Mind (by Gordon Lightfoot)
    • Write Your Story (by Francesca Battistelli)
    • Your Song (by Elton John)
      February 5, 2017 1:17 AM MST
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  • Would you believe I've never seen Barry Manilow? Heard him, know the song, but never laid eyes on the guy.

    W.S.Gilbert used to come up with the librettos for his operettas before Arthur Sullivan composed the music. The Mikado was one such. Sullivan had told him he didn't want to write any more with him and Gilbert had run out of ideas ... and then an ornamental Japanese shield fell off the wall, and that's all it took. The Mikado, which was inspired by that shield falling, is probably their best-loved and best-known operetta. 
      February 5, 2017 1:34 AM MST
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  • 10026
    First, allow me to respond to your comment about Barry Manilow.  I'm not yelling but, You're Kidding???? Well, Didge, when you have a moment, you might take the time to google him and check out his career.  I just did and was stunned.  My post to you was simply about the memory I had of him from the 70s.  I wasn't at all aware of his recent successes.

    That is hilarious about the shield falling.  Next time I feel like I've reached the end of my creative talents, I'll have Don put me in harms way and see if it will knock the creativity back in me!  Hahahaha! ;) 

     
      February 5, 2017 1:54 AM MST
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  • And if memory serves me correct him and Bette Midler started off together in the gay bars of san Francisco
      February 5, 2017 2:25 AM MST
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  • 10026
    Hi Ozgirl~ Indeed, I believe you are right!  Talk about an odd-looking couple waltzing around they must have been!!!  Even for San Francisco!  What a sight ;) ;)  This post was edited by Merlin at February 5, 2017 3:32 PM MST
      February 5, 2017 2:19 PM MST
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  • Another interesting nugget of information to file away. I didn't know that. 

    My daughter-in-law had a close friend, a man, who was a female impersonaltor and when she and my son first met she took him along to a gay bar to watch the performance. Neil has a black belt in Kung Fu, flies hang gliders, and is afraid of nothing but while he was there he felt an arm slide around his shoulders and give him a cuddle. He jumped out of his skin, swung around, and found that he was being cuddled by a woman. "You're perfectly safe," she said, "I'm a lesbian." He blurted out, "I'm, I'm here with my girlfriend." And the woman smiled again and said, "She's perfectly safe, too." 

    Wish I'd been there to see it.
      February 5, 2017 5:12 PM MST
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  • I'm sure Don will love that. But if he makes a habit of it you'll need to change his name from Don to Don't. 

    Gotta rush. Train to catch. Places to go. Things to do. 

      February 5, 2017 11:42 AM MST
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  • 10026
    You crack me up :) :)  
    Have safe travels and talk to ya soon :)
      February 5, 2017 2:24 PM MST
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  • 5808
    sometimes a lyric
    sometimes a melody
    sometimes a certain rhythm
    sometimes a story
    that will manifest in a certain way.
    Inspiration for a song can come in many ways...
    ...I've dropped a cooking pot and with the sounds that came
    inspired a whole rhythm track.
    ...Many times a drum machine is the inspiration
    for many ideas.
      February 5, 2017 3:30 PM MST
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  • 10026
    Baba, it looks as if you know how to play
    with many inspirations that come your way

    Talents hide in many places
    sometimes in hands
    with gifts and messages
    sometimes in words
    or even faces

    whatever inspiration that you find
    make sure you use it with all your mind

    And give it freely when you share
    showing  everyone that you care
    And then, you will pleasingly find
    happiness around you of every kind!

    Great answer Baba!  You does sound like you have great inspiration and talent.  You might look into it when you're not surfing! :) :)
      February 5, 2017 4:27 PM MST
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  • I like you, Baba. You have a fascinating mind. Thanks for sharing. 
      February 5, 2017 5:14 PM MST
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  • 404


    around the 1:39 mark he points it out.
      March 10, 2017 5:35 PM MST
    0