Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 02 Nov 07 - 12:28 AM Let me clarify the above:
Until you have LOVED.....you cannot sing, with sincereity, about LOVE
Sincerely,
If you are ready for tutilage there are several in the MC wings willing to respond. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Richard Bridge Date: 01 Nov 07 - 07:13 PM I'm a believer? The being known as supergirl? Last train from Clarksville? Stepping Stone? |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Amos Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:57 PM Richard, you need to heed the Monkees!! A |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Richard Bridge Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:34 PM Understatement is far more effective than overstatement. But there again I don't actually want to write a love song, nor, mostly, hear one. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Amos Date: 01 Nov 07 - 05:51 PM First, love. Seek to love well. Then sing and you will do it well as well. A |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Art Thieme Date: 01 Nov 07 - 05:30 PM If you do not when you may, You shall not when you would! "Blow Away The Morning Dew"--heard originally by me on a great old LP by Ewan Mac Coll and Isla Cameron. (One of the best lines from from a British song ever.) Art |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Y_Not Date: 01 Nov 07 - 01:22 PM Now in Kilkenny it is reported They've marble stone as black as ink And with gold and silver I would transport her But I'll sing no more now until I've had a drink I'm drunk today but then I'm seldom sober... Love and Life seen through the bottom of a pint pot... I'll drink to that. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Peace Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:25 PM "RE: how do I write love songs?" I think Lewis Carroll said words to the effect (about story writing)to start at the beginning, and when you get to the end, stop! There is but one rule, imo: Please yourself with the song. If others like it, good. If not, at least you will. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Betsy Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:17 PM I'd say live it first, and sing about it after or whilst it is happening . |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Art Thieme Date: 31 Oct 07 - 02:45 PM Just look to the tradition for models. You'll never go wrong!! My sweetheart's a mule in the mines, I drive her without any lines, On the bumper I sit And tobacco I spit, All over my sweetheart's behind! or... If you've never been in love with a landlady's daughter, Then you cannot have another piece of pie! (Just a few short ones!) Or... There was an old lady who loved a swine, Honey--said she, Piggy dear, "will you be mine?" "SMORT" said he!! Art Thieme (try "Froggy Went A-Courtin'" too. ;-) |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Mr Red Date: 31 Oct 07 - 02:25 PM first of all - what do you love? OK a person, but it could be about a cat/dog - that at least takes away some of the yuk factor in going public maybe. dogs are very loyal and save lives - you could be greatful. I have written songs like "Here Comes Trouble" (think candid) about a lass, or "My Love is like a Chocolate Box" (think Rabbie Burns meets an erudite Benny Hill) or one that was basically telling a lass not to try suicide. Then there is the parent child thing, educative kind of thing. The love element does not have to be on every line - eg end with "I tell you this out of love". There are many ways of saying love that can be boosted with additinal adjectives - affection, lust (yes), care deeply, trust, undying - etc. The usual advice about not repeating words unless you mean to - in which case make them count like in a chorus - was ever more appropriate in the case of the word "love". And of course writing in the third person saves a lot of embarrassment. Nelson and Mrs Hamilton, Abelard & Heloise, Sid Visciuos & Nauseating Nancy (by all acounts), Romeo & .......... |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Bert Date: 31 Oct 07 - 01:46 PM You can't just write a love song, just like that. You've got to be in the mood or have an idea that puts you in the mood to write a particular song. There's a few on my website here They vary quite a lot as one's thoughts about love will vary. Colorado Girl First Time Goodbye Kiss for the road Lonely Woman That's When I Fell in Love Don't Make Her Choose Silicone Cindy Stars and Snowflakes and even, believe it or not, Size Doesn't Matter. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Neil D Date: 31 Oct 07 - 10:52 AM My high school band director always said that every song was either a love song or a march. Of course he meant musically, not lyrically, since marching and concert bands don't use lyrics. But I think he had a valid point as far as the musical feel of a song. I also think if you are trying to learn to write love songs, learning and playing some in the style you are seeking will get you on the right wave length. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,who is tempted, but thinks better of it Date: 31 Oct 07 - 01:18 AM The romance is in a developing, precarious state. It may or may not actually BE a romance. Thus you are compelled to write love songs, and they are darn good ones! But the one person for whom you can't sing them is the subject, because you don't want to tip your hand. But the one person who would most appreciate the words and the music and your singing is the subject, because the songs are so good!! Ah the temptation, and the dilemma! |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Ebbie Date: 31 Oct 07 - 12:43 AM Ten Thousand Tomorrows Long ago you were all the world to me From here to horizon, far as eye could see But time, it moved on, leaving you behind (For) Ten thousand tomorrows you've been out of my mind Once I really loved you, I loved you a lot Once I really loved you. Why have I forgot? Forgotten the way you sat on a chair Forgotten your smile and the scent of your hair Don't even recall the touch of your hand Forgotten it all. It's not what I planned. Once I really loved you. I loved you a lot Once I really loved you. Why have I forgot? I open this morning's paper and there is your face Next to some strangers, each one in its place You died yesterday. Imagine my shock. Once I really loved you. Why have I forgot. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,CAT Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:14 PM You have to think of all the loving and mushy things that have happen to you. Think of the love of your life and write about him/her. You must feel what you are writing about. Think of what you are writing about and express yourself. Have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Keaton Date: 04 Jan 04 - 03:59 AM If anyone wants real inspiration go down load this love song. It's By: Voices of Theory "Say It" If this don't get your juices flowing I don't know what will. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Keaton Date: 04 Jan 04 - 03:51 AM Ahhhh Barry Manilow.....I only wish I had his talent! |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Hrothgar Date: 04 Jan 04 - 03:39 AM Instead of asking the Mudcat, ask Barry Manilow. :-) |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Keaton C Gavin Date: 04 Jan 04 - 03:21 AM Writing loves songs can be complicating. But, what works for one could but most likely will not work for another. Anyways, here's what works for me. I grab a note pad, throw on my headphones and put on intrumental music with no lyrics. Most of these songs are improvised which means you can put your own words to the music. Some are songs you've heard before, I would ignore these ones because you'll keep thinging of the lyrics you know the song to be. I hope this helps someone. Do it, throw on some heads phones go listen to some instrumental music lay back, think about what ever is going on in your life, divorce, loss of a loved one etc.. Than as your mind starts to fall in almost a meditative state you would be surprised as to what you can come up with (start writing). For me I can't just sit there with no music playig and write, it's not the words that makes your song, it's the silence between each word and each note. Don't get me wrong the words are a big part, but when you listen to a song that relates to you, between each word you think about it. Hope this all makes sense to you, works wonders for me. Hey Happy New Year I actually am working on a song in a studio right now. Will it be a hit, maybe not. But it's called: "The Pain Is Real" Best Wishes, Keaton |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: mg Date: 17 Dec 03 - 11:10 PM Yeah..that is what I was going to say..don't worry if it is cliched..what if that had stopped Burns from writing my love is like a red red rose...mg |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Chief Chaos Date: 17 Dec 03 - 09:46 PM You have already written songs of war and battle? Now imagine yourself the maiden who's beau is going off to battle, will he ever return? Imagine you are the mother or father of the lad. Or imagine yourself going off to battle, will she of the golden hair wait for you to get back. What would you say to her to guarantee that she would? Don't worry if it's trite or cliched. It can always be re-worked later. Put your heart into it. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: George Papavgeris Date: 17 Dec 03 - 07:27 PM It's easy: Rule 1: Love (or have loved) Rule 2: Imagine you are with the loved one and you are telling them about how you love them. Write this down as a stream of consciousness ream of words. Rule 3: Now take what you wrote and put rhyme to it. Rule 4: Imagine you are singing it to the loved one: would he/she approve? If yes, then... Rule 5: Sing it out in public and sink or swim by it. It is what you believe and what you feel, after all! Above all - no embarassment. Every time you sing it, you sing it to the loved one; the others are just eavesdropping. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 17 Dec 03 - 06:09 PM My Love Song.... :-) |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: John Hardly Date: 17 Dec 03 - 05:47 PM "The secret to writing the best love songs, is: see if you can get through the song without mentioning the word love. That tends to focus the mind away from the overworked cliches. yours, Peter T." Even back then, three years ago (that works out to about 17 years in forum time) P.T. was the source of some of the best, most succinct observations. Like Mooh -- no wasted words, all valuable info. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: CapriUni Date: 17 Dec 03 - 04:50 PM And then, there's the angle of someone in my position: 1) Wanting to write a really beautiful love song. 2) But not feeling qualified, because she's never been in love, and 3) wondering if such a song, if it were right, could "call" love into her life. Hmmmm.... :::gathers all the wastepaper baskets in the house around her desk::: |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: alanabit Date: 17 Dec 03 - 03:02 PM I'd probably like it. It adds to what I said though, doesn't it? The huge temptation in a love song is to say something obvious in a way that a thousand others have done before. Now when you've got an angle - and it sounds like this bloke has - you have something to write about. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Celtaddict Date: 17 Dec 03 - 12:54 PM On Danny Spooner's album (yes, the "shantyman"--he has a huge and difficult to categorize repertoire) titled "When a Man's in Love" the final track, "I Wish that I Could Write a Love Song" (by I forget who; I am at work) is a charming song that not only actually touches on the difficulty some people face, despite the intense wish to express love, but also even laments that whatever he writes tends to turn into a joke. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: alanabit Date: 17 Dec 03 - 02:08 AM I think the most important quality any great song has to have is resonance. This makes it very difficult to write personal songs which mean anything to other people. That's why I like Malcolm Douglas's earlier comment about keeping a big waste paper basket. I have heard too many love songs by good, intelligent people which were trite, cliched and banal. The trouble was that they did not realise that because it was the most important experience in their own lives, they were effectively only talking to themselves. I think it takes writers of extraordinary talent to create interesting love songs. The Bob Dylans and Richard Thompsons of the world don't always pull it off. I really think that we lesser mortals are well advised to keep these things to ourselves! There is plenty to write about which other people can find interesting. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST Date: 17 Dec 03 - 12:06 AM Writing about your love life is like walking through a crowded shopping mall stark naked. I know people who wouldn't mind doing that. How Robert Burns wrote "Aye Fond Kiss and Then We Sever", or let anyone else read it, I will never tell you. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Amos Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:41 PM Nice to see ya 'round, Matt R! A |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Matt_R Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:36 PM Holy crap this brings back memories. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Ebbie Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:22 PM Along that same line, LtS, one song I called 'The First Time' begins: Our lives together were clashes of will And we finally shook ourselves free But I remember- and treasure it still- The first time you smiled on me. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,chriosst Date: 16 Dec 03 - 04:27 PM |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Mick Lowe Date: 01 Jul 00 - 06:56 PM Having been away from the cat for a while I just stumbled across this thread saved on my personal pages.. and read the postings after mine... Liz I don't want to pry into your personal life (but you'll know how nosey I am from our previous encounters).. but if the love in your summer was so great as to (and I've gone "word blind".. not incite so much as.... inspire.. that's it..) to write a song about all it's joys and beauty, if that love transpires to be only a passing glimpse into happiness ( alas us mortals fall short of the ideals we create in songs and poetry).. you should still treasure the moments of joy it reflects, if only for the feelings you felt at the time, rather than being associated with a now much to be forgotten individual.. And if you are still suffering from your "Adonis" having turned into a complete arsehole.. perhaps you might feel like attempting writing the other side of "the love song".. both passion and venom ... love and hate.. are powerful emmotions if you can capture them properly in verse... I guess a lot depends upon the individual as to whether they can capture either side of that narrow divide in song.. some songwriters only have the knack of portraying one side ... Heck I can't do either to any proficient level... Mick |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Liz the Squeak Date: 13 Jun 00 - 02:27 AM So I'm a cynical old bat then; you'll learn - when the gorgeous, intelligent man you fell hopelessly in love with one summer and gave your entire being to, turns round in winter and fractures your skull, just because he doesn't like your taste in friends, you'll learn....... Start with something that won't turn on you, a dead pet, a nice place you once lived. That's how I started, and it seems to get better after a while. LTS |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Mbo Date: 12 Jun 00 - 05:49 PM You hit the nail right on the head there Dave!!! Songs I absolutely HATED because I thought the were so typically mushy turned out to be the song that described the way I feel EXACTLY!!! ESPECIALLY "Look At You Girl" by Chris Ledoux, and "You Had Me From Hello" by Kenny Chesney... --Mbo |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 12 Jun 00 - 05:35 PM Thirty-six years ago, in the great flush of blooming love for my (now) Beautiful Wife, I was shocked to observe that the love songs I'd disdained for thirty years as being crudely sloppy-sentimental, trite, and artificial--WERE TRUE! THEY WERE ALL TRUE! I just had never had the right frame of reference until I was thirty-three years old. Dave Oesterreich |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Mick Lowe Date: 11 Jun 00 - 08:01 PM Mmmm..
What can I say.. apart from feeling somewhat dismayed by some of the postings to this thread...
|
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Liz the Squeak Date: 11 Jun 00 - 03:39 AM Write a really, really slushy, gooey, trite, disgustingly sloppy one or get the words of a pre-existing one, that makes you want to barf. Print it out big. Pin it to your wall as an example of how not to do it. Worked for me - I stick to writing cynical parodies now, I don't have the romantic twist to do 'love' songs. LTS |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: paddyc Date: 10 Jun 00 - 05:55 PM Thanks everyone. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Brendy Date: 10 Jun 00 - 02:59 AM Look at some of Chris de Burgh's stuff for 'inspiration'. Or don't, as the case may be! B. |
Subject: Lyr Add: MY FIRST LOVE From: Amergin Date: 09 Jun 00 - 10:14 PM Or do something like this (sorry folks for subjecting you all to this torture): MY FIRST LOVE
As I went in the pub one day
Upon the bar she sat before me
Chorus:
Her black limbs stretched out
We kissed again and yet again
Chorus:
My thoughts fade off into smoke
Final Chorus: Amergin
|
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: paddyc Date: 09 Jun 00 - 06:48 PM Thanks for all the tips guys. It has already helped me out a lot.PS-I really like that "Draw me a pint of your love, Sweet Love, And I'll roll out a barrel of mine." -Paddy(The Ceilidh Cowboy) |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 09 Jun 00 - 06:03 PM Listen to Chreisty Moore. He can turn any song into a love song. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Pixie Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:35 PM To Callie: Glad you like Spirit of the West! They have a number of cd's out, and the one you are talking about is none other that "Save This House" (song/cd of same name). Originally the band started with 3 guys who played celtic-based music (Geoffrey's originally from Scotland), but the band expanded, one of the first guys left, and after "Save This House" the band turned to the more "alternative" side. Lots more electric, drums, etc. Linda McCrae left the band a few years ago, and I haven't heard much from them. If they come to Halifax, Nova Scotia, they usually play at the University. John Mann and Geoffrey Kelly are excellent song writers! Check to see if they have a web-site and maybe you can order some of their older stuff (Tripping up the Stairs, Old Music). Also a fan...Pixie |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: GUEST,Peter T. Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:14 PM The secret to writing the best love songs, is: see if you can get through the song without mentioning the word love. That tends to focus the mind away from the overworked cliches. yours, Peter T. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Alice Date: 09 Jun 00 - 01:44 PM If you can't do it from personal experience of love, look at the love between two people you know who really set the example - your grandparents, maybe... you'll know when you think about it. Read their old love letters if they have them, or talk to people close to you about their experience. |
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 09 Jun 00 - 01:41 PM Songs don't fall into any neat division of love songs which are quiet and war songs which are noisy. Not in the Irish tradition anyway.
A lot of the best quiet love songs there are in that tradition are really about Ireland as much as anything.
|
Subject: RE: how do I write love songs? From: Mbo Date: 09 Jun 00 - 01:07 PM "Well, you know, in Celtic music there's a lot of songs about very lovely, and largely unattainable young women...and these are known as 'love songs.' And there's loads of songs about very lovely, and extremely strong, and very obtainable drinks...these are known as 'love songs'...." --Andy M. Stewart --Mbo |
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