John's guide to lyric writing

These are some basic guidelines I plan to use when I try to write lyrics.These are also things I look for in a good lyricist.

1. Write about what you know. Most good writers, whether lyricists, fiction writers, or poets, write about personal experiences, or at least use things they know. Ever wonder why almost all of Stephen King's novels take place in Maine? That's where he's from. Use what you know. You could also use experiences of people you know, friends, family members, etc. 

2. Write about things that you're passionate about. Personal experiences only go so far, especially if you've had a rather ordinary life. So pick something you have strong feelings about and write. If you don't care for something, you're not going to write good lyrics about it. Neil Peart of Rush wrote a lot about freedom of personal expression and used a many of Ayn Rand's theories and novels as inspiration. Which leads me to...

3. Read a lot. Get inspiration from what you read. At the very least, reading will improve your vocabulary so you don't use the same words over and over again. Which also leads to...

4. Show, don't tell. This is the MOST IMPORTANT tip I could give. Use metaphor, allegory and even hyperbole in your lyrics. Unless you want to become the next Jon Bon Jovi - the absolute master of trite lyrics - or *shudder* write lyrics for country songs you want to avoid obvious lyrics. Sure, they may work for the great unwashed masses in the good ol' American Say-outh but no one will confuse them with good lyrics. Try to evoke feelings and emotions instead of just describing the scene.

5. When you get inspiration for lyrics, stop what you're doing, grab a pen, and write them down. I've lost too many lyrics this way. As Gord Downie wrote in the song "Music at Work" by The Tragically Hip, "When the sunlight hits the olive oil, don't hesitate."

Some of the best lyrics I've ever heard are from the song "Nautical Disaster" by The Tragically Hip. The song eschews traditional structure and reads like prose. Notice, too, how there's no traditional verse/chorus arrangement. Gord Downie uses historical references to evoke the emotions of the song's protagonist. Any time there are entire Web sites dedicated to figuring out the meanings of someone's lyrics, you know you've found something special.

Here are the lyrics to "Nautical Disaster":

I had this dream where I relished the fray 
and the screaming filled my head all day. 
It was as though I'd been spit here, settled 
in, into the pocket of a lighthouse on some 
rocky socket, off the coast of France, dear.

One afternoon, four thousand men died in
the water here, and five hundred more were
thrashing madly, as parasites might in your 
blood. Now I was in a lifeboat designed for 
ten and ten only, anything that systematic 
would get you hated. It's not a deal nor a 
test nor a love of something fated. The 
selection was quick, the crew was picked in order 
and those left in the water got kicked off our 
pantleg and we headed for home.

Then the dream ends when the phone rings,
you doing alright he said it's out there most
days and nights, but only a fool would 
complain. Anyway Susan, if you like, our 
conversation is as faint a sound in my
memory, as those fingernails scratching on my hull.

And here's the Web page that tries to explain all the references.

I hope this helps anyone who's looking to start writing their own lyrics to their songs.