8 Songwriting Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

[@laliNL]

"Don't write the music, let the music write itself" -Michael Jackson

[@mzwankosi730]

How

[@DeeTeaDee]

Or the army of songwriters

[@Nick_Reinhardt]

I dare you to write something every morning and every night. Its given me soooooo much material to work with.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

I write for the bin. Write everything and don’t be afraid to throw it in the bin as it frees up the the brain for good ideas as it’s no longer clogged with all the rubbish ones. I -should- need to go back to writing every day.

[@canonball1914]

Wish all channels had even a quarter of the content you put across. Your enthusiasm and logic and love for your craft is inspiring lass. More power to you. Thanks.

[@kinadabambino6872]

Focus on the “why” in the song (the most important part). We can talk about the “what” the “who” the “where” ect, but the most important part is the why. That part alone is the most important part of a song.

[@itchyvinyl]

K. Cobain seems to have broken the lyric rules. Although his lyrics gave the feeling of being personal, they were so cryptic that nobody REALLY know wtf he was talking about. YET they have shown to have universal appeal. 😊

[@AUGUSTIN-MUSIC]

Exactly. I like that form of lyricism. Where it doesn’t make ANY freaking sense but to the artist it does. It makes no sense yet FEELS like it does somehow

[@wheresallthezombies]

I mean, I’m sure most of that was heroin talking.

[@baynesstreetblues]

I have to say that I was blown away by the intelligence, insights and lyrical innovations advocated by Keppie. These deeply knowledgable tips are first class and the generosity in sharing them is much appreciated. I’ve always wondered what the key differences are between writing rhyming poetic couplets (which I can rattle off easily) and crafting creative lyrics. What a world of difference there is; I have much to learn, even after six decades. 🎉🎉🎉

[@baynesstreetblues]

Qualifier follows ……

[@Savi-digital]

i’m a songwriter myself, i just write whatever i’m feeling in that moment and what comes to mind, but i’d have to be listening to a beat for those ideas to kick in and then i just write.

[@ErJoeJehosaphatz]

Great advice. Narrow and deep. It’s too easy (for me😂) to get distracted by the second verse!

[@torbjrnlund903]

Tip number nine: Ignore the rules. Swim upstream. Go the other way. Ignore the conventional "wisdom". Going against the rules, that is what invention is about. That is how art is born. That is how breakthroughs happen.

[@MrMikomi]

What rules are these? There aren't any. Certain things tend to work most of the time, like getting to the chorus in less than a minute, having a song length less than 3:45 etc. Sure do a ten-minute song where the chorus comes in at nine minutes. Break the mould! Let us know how it goes!

[@torbjrnlund903]

@@MrMikomi - Sure. Rules can be useful but can also be just like a wall of fog that prevents you from creating something original and outstanding. Below an example of a song 9 minutes long without a chorus which have done great, by many considered to be a piece of art. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen is another example. However not following the rules is just a tip - not a rule. If you prefer the run of the mill scheme it's your choice. There are many ways to make a good song, and creativity can be used on many different aspects in many different ways. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZDRlGR_i9SArsU&ab_channel=Ren

[@pseudonymlifts2]

A good first step to invention is to stop being so suspicious of advice from others, otherwise you never learn. These aren't 'rules' they are tips.

[@torbjrnlund903]

@@pseudonymlifts2 - I know. My tip was to not let tips becomes rules. I appreciate tips and advices, and may use them sometimes when I think it's appropriate, but I refuse to let them become rules to follow. I do not feel obliged to follow the rules of the run of the mill scheme in songwriting. “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” - Pablo Picasso

[@geraldfriend256]

Ultimately. But good to know the reasons behind the rules.

[@eddrupz1805]

The Beatles didn't start a song by coming up with a title first. Often times, they didn't know what the song was about while they wrote it. I think that's what you referred to as sense writing.

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

Hey, they’re from the Berkeley College Of Music-they “know better”! 😂

[@MeHacesLaTaba]

Sargent Peppers lonely.......😂

[@jambononi]

Totally agree with the title idea first. Literally paused the video and wrote two songs quickly. Okay they're not great. But wow it's so easy to think of the next line because it's relevant.

[@TAHA666]

''writing is refined thought", and "songwriting is amplified reality" - lots of opportunities for improvement just there! Also the section "save the highest note" cleared some confusions I was personally dealing with for last few months, never thought about it like this! This entire video is helpful in so many ways, Thank you!

[@thedealermusic]

I would also say, melody is about contrast - I wrote a hit song where the chorus was the lowest part melodically. And by the chorus it feels new and different

[@barrycoulter6951]

Thx! I always thought that my lyrics were always judgemental and angry, i like it when u suggested to write in another point of view… i get it! Didnt think that it would change it that much, but it does! Awesome!

[@mgmthegrand]

I really struggle with tip 7 and here's why. It's often been said that a songwriter's songs are like his babies. Each one has a special meaning and is a labour of love to create. It's always been difficult for me to let go of a song that isn't working or that I'm stuck on. Should I stop and start a new song? Should I start from scratch with the same song? Should I leave it alone for a while and come back to it? Should I completely scrap it? Songwriting is a grueling decision making process for me because I approach every song I write wanting it to be special in it's own way and wanting it to be of a good quality.

[@greyzzz3003]

bro i’m the same but from my advice start other songs try other beats switch when you bored of that beat write at least 8-16 bars once you have enough and some kinda similar piece them together pick witch one is the chorus n boom you got a song bsafe

[@undreamed_band]

I'm the same 😅 Sometimes I leave a song just to get back to it in 10 years and apply all the knowledge I've acquired in the meantime 😊

[@DirgeMcElvoy]

I just watched this after spending a week or so on your - The 5 Most Powerful Songwriting Exercises, the course has made this so much more understandable. Thank you for the breakdown in this video, excellent information.

[@AmbiguousMotion]

My tip to any songwriter: songwriting skill is that one thing in music you cannot learn and you must be born with. If you struggle with songwriting, if the melody ideas do not occurr to you by themselves in myriads, then you are not gifted towards songwriting and therefore try to become an instrumentalist, sound engineer, dj or whatever instead.

[@stopmegoo4218]

1000% wrong, but nice try buddy, in reality it just take’s practice 😂

[@AmbiguousMotion]

@@stopmegoo4218 Nope, you can practice all you want. This is why there are millions of great instrumentalists, but very few songwriters. But I wish you good luck in trying.

[@trentan]

Guys this is sooo brilliant! Thank you so much for taking the time to create this.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Some good tips. With the passing of Mr. Lightfoot, I find myself going back and listening to his songs, and the brilliantly crafted lyrics and storytelling. His well-known songs, sure, but digging deep into the more obscure is where I think he really shines. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@geraldfriend256]

Will do.

[@StratMatt777]

Carefree highway, let me slip away on you Carefree highway, you seen better days The mornin' after blues from my head down to my shoes Carefree highway, let me slip away Slip away on you

[@AndrewMarciano-z1q]

I am a proficient writer. Really wanted to hate on this at first but I have to say you did exactly what you said you would. You helped me conceptualize things that took me a long time to figure out. This is a gem for us writiers just trying to get an edge direction motivation. Cheers!!

[@fishmut]

Oh please don’t judge and hate , then you say this is a gem for us writers trying to get an edge , hypocrite , please don’t make me laugh .

[@AndrewMarciano-z1q]

@@fishmut clearly not everyone is as basic as you.

[@ebeep]

Through osmosis, Steve Kilbey’s work has changed the way I write lyrics completely. His lyrics are so epically imaginative and yet also a seemingly effortless flow of words. So concise, simple, and yet novelistic. “Hotel Womb” is one of my favorites. If inclined to look them up, beware of inaccuracies posted on various lyrics sites; they read like AI dictations as they are often so poorly transcribed. It’s best to hear them in context.

[@AnitaGraber]

The last tip really hit home. One of the most meaningful songs to me what a song called “With You” by Richard Fleeshman. The first line is also very powerful,”I picked up your shirts this morning, I don’t know why I don’t know why, Mr. Reynolds said to say hello, I started to cry I started to cry” Having lost my young husband at an early age -those lyrics went straight to my heart more than if anybody had used a generic line like “when we said goodbye”-it’s such a powerful song. Thank you so much for putting this in such straightforward language so that we can all follow it.

[@FrankHarding-g6c]

Love what you're saying about choruses, so nice

[@NsteveA]

This is all priceless advice and it took me from, I'm not going to write lyrics because my lyrics suck, to I'm going to write plenty of lyrics so that these tips become my natural approach and THEN I can start producing higher quality songs more frequently.

[@salmonesque]

I heard Jarvis Cocker say that it was good to really belt out ideas for chorus melodies. Be loud. Push yourself to the point of over extending. This might be helpful?

[@JoshuaBennettMusic]

Ooh! Nice. I hadn't heard that advice, but now that I see it in writing, I realize that this is actually one of my favorite songwriting techniques. A lot of my best songs started with a chorus hook that just begged to be belted out at the top of my range. Heck, I ended up having to work to extend my upper register, just because a particular hook was so hook-y that I couldn't bear to rewrite or transpose it. Totally worth it! Been singing that one for 12 years now, and neither I nor my listeners seem to get tired of it. :)

[@thedrammed345]

Brilliant, another practical guide. Thanks. I’ve got my Chorus sorted and now getting actual progress with the opening line!

[@tazz3127]

This is the most helpful song writing video i've ever watched!

[@asaridis]

When the music comes first - which is my process most times - I enjoy just listening to the music and wait for imagery to come to me. And the concept/story/idea forms as a visceral reaction to the music. Really enjoyed these tips. How do you feel about productivity? I am a fan of and dedicated to producing songs on a weekly basis, forcing myself to keep moving and not labouring on all ideas. I wrote and produced 100 songs last year and learned so much from that process...now its just part of my practice to write and produce at a fast pace. I go back and rework stuff sometimes.

[@stevenlindsay3060]

You’re an amazing teacher, I took a lot from this video thanks so much, liked and subbed 😊

[@hishamdahud]

As a musician and producer who struggles with topline, this was incredibly helpful and clear. Thank you!

[@apexdude105]

This was SOOO helpful, every other video is either "just write more" or "don't write lyrics, write poetry" but lack any tip rather than just do it

[@MrMikomi]

I have that book! Mmm I really should find it and read it.

[@urzathehappy72]

"when everything sparkles nothing shines" incredible quote

[@bradsvare5585]

I'm luv'n all your you tube lessons. Just discovered these today, and am binge watching through these. I have written a lot of songs, and so I have a lot to think about and refer to as I listen to all of this.

[@Hit_or_miss911]

Wow, I truly love this educational. I have nothing to say but thank you, Keppie. I've written about 20 songs, yet none of them seem to align with the second concept. Conversationally, I feel a bit off in that regard, but I adore the overall essence and melody of the songs.

[@zynthio]

These are all really good tips I think another good tip is to not overthink your song. It's easy to think way too much about lyrics and if they make sense and all of that. I don't remember the exact quote, but Maurice White from Earth Wind and Fire said something along the lines of "Don't let the lyric get in the way of the feeling." Often times what you wrote or sang on the first pass was just what came naturally to you, and it was instinctual. You can try to tinker with it forever but it never feels quite as right because you're trying so hard to make the lyric make sense instead of just saying what you felt. One of my favorite examples is Yellow by Coldplay. I've heard Chris Martin talk many times about how he wrote that song and he was just playing around and the lyrics all just came out in a super short amount of time as he was just being silly with the rest of the band. Some of the lyrics don't really make sense, but it doesn't really it matter at all, because the song is a masterpiece and a beautiful love song and in context with the rest of the song it just works. Specifically the use of the word "Yellow" in the song doesn't really make sense at all but it was just the first thing that came out and it stuck. And it's the hook of the song, and gets repeated constantly. And the first line of the song establishes the idea of the song - "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you, and everything you do" Obviously you can't just write every line of every song like this and expect it to turn out perfect. This is just one lesson I've learned. Sometimes going with what came out naturally is what's best for the lyric or even the whole song

[@richardcoffey3125]

Wry nice! I needed this instruction and timing was perfect. It’s like I knew all this but had never put it into action on purpose, just danced around it for years.

[@GRBAquatics]

So Very Cool, Thankyou. Amazing Lesson. You are such an Amazing Teacher. Much Respect. Cheers

[@douglasholdenjr.45]

Great channel!!!! I love the content!!! Been binge watching for days!!! Subscribed!!! Cheers from Florida!!!!🎉🙂🙃😉😁

[@redvelvet6222]

all of the songwriting tips i saw on youtube sucked. When I came across this channel I couldn't stop whatching it .YOUR AMAZING!!! And your very wise

[@eamoncollier]

Art has no rules. But i like hearing every perspective. I appreciate this video.

[@marcotrosi]

I know of course that lyrics are a part of songwriting, but I also know that some people think that the lyrics are the song. Sorry, not the case. And unfortunately the title of this video emphasises this way of thinking. It should be named "8 lyrics writing tips ...". So I heard people say "I wrote a song" and they actually "only" wrote the lyrics. That's not a song yet, it's just a part of it. In my world much more contributes to the song. It's, and I think we all agree, also melody, chords, rhythm, structure/arrangement, ... But now you might say "of course we need melody and chords, I don't have to mention that", but I see on KZbin and hear on the charts/radio that this is where many lack skills. As if you could randomly select a chord progression and just sing a melody. oh no no no, that's not the case. All 3 have to be so good that they can stand on their own. And now again everyone says "yes yes yes of course" but only few are actually doing it. Most chord progressions are just out of a pool of standard progressions and melodies are today relatively monotonic. Luckily you hit exactly my weak spot with your video. I'm the worst lyrics writer on the planet. And I should have practiced thru quantity as you suggest. So thanks for the 8 tips, they are great. And who knows, maybe I will start writing lyrics one day, but I have nothing to say at the moment. Or I just prefer expressing my emotions with chords and melodies, and let the singer do their part. Anyways, great video, keep it up. Have a great day.

[@KevinTPLim]

Nice... from your comment, it sounds like you do have something to say - you clearly have opinions and strong feelings about how everyone thinks it’s all about lyrics but forgets the music. What if you wrote about that? Could be a cool song!

[@marcotrosi]

@@KevinTPLim Thanks for taking the time to respond. You are right, it's the internet, and I must have given the impression that everyone is like that. Of course not. I exaggerated and readers might take every word literally. Thanks for pointing that out and sorry, what I wrote could sound rude to many ears.

[@KevinTPLim]

@@marcotrosi Oh it sounded fine to me, I thought your last paragraph softened it a lot. But I do think it might be fun to turn that comment into a song, and exaggerating can be helpful for that! Tip 3: Amplify reality ;)

[@sammytabasco]

the cadence of your voice and your pace with explaining things completely tickles my brain. You could be changing a tire and i'd still watch your videos haha

[@everyonecan3338]

Thank you for sharing knowledge

[@JoshuaBennettMusic]

Re: Tip #8, I've also heard this in the context of prose writing: "Use the specific to imply the general." Cf: One of the most famous opening lines from science fiction: "The sky above the port was the color of television tuned to a dead channel." It's from "Neuromancer" by William Gibson; he immediately sets the tone and tells you a lot about the world you're about to enter through a single, evocative, highly specific sentence. In any case, it's great advice for any kind of writing, for sure. Leonard Cohen should know! :)

[@preciousmousse]

Thank you for this! It immediately cleared up so much for me by breaking the whole process into bits of arrangements and concepts! Been scared of writing my first song for a long time.

[@bigdaddy735]

Thank you! I have absolutely no song writing knowledge or experience. Recently I'm coming up with all these words and lyrics and I'm not sure how exactly to arrange them. Thanks again for taking time to do this. ✌️

[@gainsbarfromtokyo]

All people who say that learning songwriting skills is useless and that it’s all about talent and inspiration are the same lamenting the death of “real” music (which I don’t agree with). But if you want your genre to stay relevant, you need to get on top of your creativity and quality. Good luck y’all!

[@Pielobyte]

First 3 lines of a songs ->avoid cliches and generalities ->introduce the essential problem, or conflict that is driving the songwriter Create a direct set up to the hook in the chorus

[@Pielobyte]

The more specific, detailed, and personal your lyrics are, the more relatable they are

[@ActuallySettle]

this lady has a gift, I love these videos

[@josephelsey1688]

You do such an amazing job

[@OurgasmComrade]

Intetesting tips! An exception I noticed thought is that lots of timeless songs don't have their highest note in the chorus, or they will often be the same as the highest in the verse (Marvin Gaye's "Grapevine" for example). What seems to matter more is introducing a wide range within the first 10-13 seconds of when the vocal starts, usually between 9-12 semitones in the melody

[@RiffMusic1970]

What I prefer is the high note at the end of the pre chorus. It just builds it up for a big chorus.

[@OurgasmComrade]

@@RiffMusic1970 definitely a good option, and it's just that, an option yeah. What happens often with writers is if they are told to think about the chorus too much, they put less attention to the other sections of the songs. By thinking of high points and climaxes that reach at least 9 semitones in all sections aside from the chorus, that's more likely to create interest through the whole song. But yet again, there's always exceptions

[@janellecruz3231]

keppe, thank you so much for your AMAZING tutorials. i've been writing for a long time and i feel like i'm discovering a new dimension to the craft since i came across you. please keep them coming you are so full of wonderful tips and ideas...thanks so much!!!!! - janelle

[@topivanhatalo]

Thank you for the inspiring videos, your enthusiasm for writing and teaching really comes through and makes me want to start practicing immediately. It's all about joy!

[@Green-nu8si]

I see almost every comment saying why you shouldn’t listen to her. This is human nature to go against the grain, but it’s HARDER for us to admit we could use some help. Maybe try listening to suggestions and I bet your entire life would change. It takes humility and WORK.

[@jakenickle8630]

I sure as shit need help 😂

[@Green-nu8si]

@@jakenickle8630 get you some then, bosssss. It’s not cowardly asking for help, it’s cowardly if you refuse to do anything about your problems 🤪

[@Xaviezor]

This is a great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@JeffMoore1984]

Thank you for all you do 🌍🙏🌄🎨❤️🕊️ IAM grateful for you and these videos

[@pattiepepper6217]

Thank you so much! I've always wanted to write songs but never knew where to start. Subscribed. 💖💖💖💖

[@TWPMusic-Factory]

Fanatic video. Thank you for making this. :-)

[@burtcocain1986]

HOOK BOOK! 1:05 - Got an A6 pad on order to carry around. Also, I need to play this video to myself every morning so I remember what the process should look like.

[@thesnoflakes280]

I freakin love your passion for songwriting. :)

[@bangpow00]

Another great and useful video, thank you! You asked for comments about what tip had an impact. For me a huge breakthrough was the tip of letting the chords, rhythm or melody inform the lyrics rather than writing music to lyrics. I spent a long time consistently and frustratingly painting myself into corners trying to build music around an existing lyric until I embraced the tip of switching the order. I would still love to separate the process of creating music and words. Maybe I'm too prosy without a song structure. I'd be keen to hear how you or others manage your hook books when you write down song fragments. What are some approaches for making a hook book of song fragments that are malleable enough to fit later to new music? Is that even a thing that can be learned or is it a you-can-do-it-or-you-can't personal practice? My efforts at a song fragment book tend to end up as a word boneyard. If something gets written down without being specifically formed to music, it never leaves the page.

[@htws]

Such a good question! I am adding it to a list of things to talk about! Perhaps I will make a community post about this… Stay tuned! And thank you :-)

[@bangpow00]

@@aaronsinger Great suggestions and insight. Thank you!

[@hedworm]

Great tips to really help focus a song. My problem is when I get inspired I get way too many ideas, the music gets too complicated, and I lose the original vibe, and don't finish the song.

[@hiberniankingy]

One of the greatest songs of all time Bohiemian Rhapsody, even Freddy said in an interview “I think people should just listen to it, think about it, and then make up their own minds as to what it says to them.” sooo could it mean that each individual will have a different connection to a song?

[@daltonhobson6982]

Thank you, this is the kind of help people that can't afford to go to Berkley need.

[@lolsucks3599]

Didnt expect to find actual good music advice on youtube.

[@RickCarr]

Great video and tips! Hey I was there in the same room with John Mayer, good times!

[@pikiwiki]

Direct advice that works. Really well done. thanks

[@Justinsan]

Thank you! I started writing my own songs because of Vocaloid, so I'm completely new to this. Thanks a lot for your video. It is very helpful.

[@6-10noir]

Great tips! I had not thought about that quantity gives quality in the long run.

[@natebalance221]

What an incredibly helpful and enjoyable video. Thanks so much !!

[@scottmoyer1357]

I appreciate your insights into the songwriting process. Even the slightest hint of a new way to add to the process is encouraging and inspiring. After all, great song writing comes from inspiration....and when that fades away, it relies upon our own Blood Sweat & Tears. I studied with songwriter great, Jack Segal {When Sunny Gets Blue], who placed the emphasis on writing a great lyric. I have written for film, TV, Commercials and for the pop markets in the USA and Europe. Every project is a different challenge. Armed with many of these tips you are bringing to the process along with a great rhyming program, there are many more useful ways to shape and form a better than just "good" song concept. I love to hear specific well known vocalists singing the words in my head with their harmonies on my own singable lyrics....The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The BG's, The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, The Eagles and so many others serve as brilliant sounding vocal harmonies designed to really deliver a great lyric. Using these extraordinary vocal harmony sounds raises the levels of the words used in each song's section to their ultimate Neon Light Levels. Finding the best voice for your song is a key factor as the delivery and sound of the voice is so essential to the success of the song.

[@ahmki52298]

Honestly thank you so muctj for every video you make its given me such great direction and has helped me not feel so lost in teying to learn how to write songs so thank you!!

[@clarktowne]

Brilliant. I would just modify #6. Save the high note for the chorus or the emotional peak of the song.

[@docf.n.t.2310]

You say save the highest note for the chorus. I typically, (almost always) put it in the "shift(?) after the 2nd chorus. This is the pat where the music, maybe even the key, changes just for this part. Typically just before the guitar solo, or instrumental section, this is the part where the very essence of the song is defined. The exact word that is the focus of this section (and ultimately the whole song) is the high note. Maximum effort and energy is spent bringing this word, or phrase to the very front of the entire piece. Oddly, you mentioned of how the first line sets up for the chorus, which is (just by coincidence) what I have done almost every time in the last 47 years of writing. I had never thought about it until you, in this video, mentioned it. Even songs I wrote in 1976, (when I was in Jr High) were done this way. Repeating the essence of the first line in the chorus in the first and last lines of said chorus is something I have sub consciously always done. Quantity in writing has never been my thing. usually, I write when an idea hits that has a lot of meaning to me. I cannot just "sit down and write". When I'm hot, I'm hot, When I'm not, months may pass with no writing. If I'm not inspired, I simply cannot write. I was walking laps around my neighborhood back in the 80s, in wintertime, (early February) when brief flashes of several song ideas passed through my head. I walked home early, went to my downstairs studio, and jotted down ideas for roughly 8 songs. By the next morning, everything but those jottings was lost. June 10th that year, during another late night walk, the original ideas of 4 of those songs came back to mind (as I was in EXACTLY the same place they were originally conceived). I again rushed home, this time firing up the entire studio, and recorded rough ideas of all 4 songs. All lyrics were written and sang that night, and 3 of the guitar solos, and all of the piano work were too. Those songs are still performed the same way for the last 40 years. Moral of the story, I don't write in mass quantity, but frequently write in spirts, 4 or more songs in one night. It seems when I write multiples in one night, they all come out great. As for your "generic lyrics" line, I always write in reference to the main idea, thought I do meander sideways sometimes to explain myself better. Maybe if I ever start doing KZbin videos, I'll share my strange methods of song writing. I typically don't consciously follow any rules when writing, but subconsciously, I seem to follow many of yours by sheer coincidence ! I have not deviated from my style once in 45 years !

[@JamieRambles]

Narrow and Deep is such a good tip

[@judasxchrist]

I learned something here. Excellent explanations, thank you!

[@natet5959]

Strongly agree with tips 6-8. Excellent advice. I have never tried tip 1. I think I will now.

[@brightbrandon1476]

amazing, very timely and helpful tips. thank you

[@TimE_5150]

Tremendous content! I have finally found a great songwriting resource. Thank you.

[@carlossantiago9926]

This was lovely and extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@AndersonKaryn]

… you were my teacher!! thank you ♥️♥️♥️

[@fridonuncapaga]

love this channel

[@RemmingtonCampbell]

Holy smokes. This is probably the beat channel on youtube. What a treasure trove.

[@RemmingtonCampbell]

Best*

[@khtnsuwdih]

Baby Weasel Playtime Baby weasel playtime - are you set and ready for this? Hanging on a lifeline - hooked by a magical wish Maybe we’ll see daytime- ‘cos outside it’s looking swell Ringing in the Maytime - just get yourself an available bell Sugar zombie mandrill - dead set to seal with a kiss Salamander standstill - By a trapdoor you can’t miss Breathing like a blowfish - inside the back of a truck Who’s for a slapdance? - who’s all for trying their luck? Sweet talking - from a whimper to a scream Sleepwalking through other peoples’ schemes Keep on talking - to justify the means Bold as bullets through nightmares dressed like dreams Dancing to the ragtime - looks like we’re happy men Grab yourself a gasmask - in case the weather changes again Don’t get downhearted - it’s not as bad as it looks Get yourself a cocktail - throw in some colouring books

[@rossthemusicandguitarteacher]

Thank you! Also saw these in Pat Pattison's book too, so you know these are great tips. :) Subbed and will watch more!

[@GnatGames]

I think I skipped a few steps, not in the video, but in real life, I don’t know what any of my songs are gonna be called, but I already have a clear very concise idea of what I want first album to be called

[@mostfrozenburrito]

This video is so awesome!! I’ve been trying to write songs for seemingly my whole life and only within the last two years has it been something I’m actually giving time and attention to. These tips have helped me click some things into place in my brain! Thank you so much!

[@electron7373]

Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river You can hear the boats go by You can spend the night beside her And you know that she's half crazy But that's why you want to be there And she feeds you tea and oranges That come all the way from China And just when you mean to tell her That you have no love to give her Then she gets you on her wavelength And she lets the river answer That you've always been her lover ... (The first few lines of Suzanne by Leonard Cohen)

[@oyesuken]

Some songs are done in minutes, others in decades. Some of my best hook lines are still waiting for companion phrases. Your tips are very much appreciated in pursuing this past a part time passion (hey, that would be a great name for a song).

[@TP-om8of]

Send me your hooks and I’ll finish them off for you. No charge.

[@oyesuken]

@@TP-om8of Thank you for the offer, TP, but as I stated above, "others in decades". I started my...what is being called a hook book, more than 40 years ago. I would wake up in the middle of the night from a song in my dreams, and I quickly learned that if I did not get up right then, write it down or quickly record it on my cassette tape recorder, I would NEVER remember it by morning. I started keeping a spiral bound notebook at my bedside, cleverly titled (for a 14 year old) Lyrics and Notes. I would accompany the phrases entered with the date and time of day if it was something that I woke up with in my head to remind myself of that. I feel that they will drop in place when the time is right. Trying to get past the hurdle of pushing them into fruition. I am soon to retire from my bread and butter career, and videos like this help me see the path I want to take to focus on my music that has always been a side passion.

[@TP-om8of]

@@oyesuken I have a hook book too; most of them I get from book titles because that makes them sound intellectual, in that pretentious Simon & Garfunkel / Sting sort it way. Here are some of my favourites: The Great Chain of Being The Crooked Timber of Humanity My Prisons in Soviet Paradise The Best Bagels are Made at Home The Puritan Oligarchy Mary Berry’s Kitchen Favourites

[@Marinns]

I discovered your channel yesterday, and I can’t wait to apply all your advice to my own songwriting. Thank you for generously giving to those of us working on perfecting our craft!

[@Hardyboi-h8x]

What about reading books of interest to improve your songwriting? Not for the topic of the book but just for improving general flow and poetic style

[@noonetime8478]

My favorite songwriters are John Lennon and Roland Orzabal.. I also admire the Gibb Bros, George Harrison for his chords, Morrissey, for his lyrics, Bryan Wilson for his melodic ideas, Paul McCartney fot his single line verses (none pattern based)

[@oddn]

You've taught me more in 17 minutes than over a year at an expensive music college, thank you!

[@salparadise8581]

Definietly maybe!

[@acousticguitarcanada]

Excellent lesson, thank you. Looking forward to learning more...

[@KernanBrian]

Awesome thanks 🙏

[@polmorgan3533]

I had a tune called 'fuck everything it s all a bunch yo shite'. then i changed the title to 'love is all around' and it made such a difference...

[@douglasholdenjr.45]

😮😮😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@thedrammed345]

😂

[@sujitmone3436]

Oh my gosh these videos are really helpful. Thank you so much ❤

[@Wokdrummers]

Yes, really good tips and thoughts. Concisely put and neatly summarises some of the main problems with what I write, I’m too generic (trying to be relatable), too wordy (dazzled by my own lyrical cleverness) and make the verses/bridges very, very melodic. Thanks for all of the tips…. Recommend! Right, now off to rewrite my song about a tree. It’s an oak, btw….

[@michelle-psl4441]

Another fantastic, uber-educational video. Thank you.