Can I get some lyric advice please?
Moderators: admin, mdc, TAXIstaff
- CharlieErnst
- Impressive
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:42 am
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?
Hey Cass, that helps focus the idea immensely. Let me play around some more
Thanks
Thanks
- cassmcentee
- Serious Musician
- Posts: 3513
- Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:40 am
- Gender: Male
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?

Robert "Cass" McEntee
"Making music on a spinning ball of Magma"
https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcentee
https://www.taxi.com/members/DosPalmasRecordings
"Making music on a spinning ball of Magma"
https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcentee
https://www.taxi.com/members/DosPalmasRecordings
- TimWalter
- Committed Musician
- Posts: 581
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:45 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location: Nashville, TN USA
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?
I like the double use of the jigsaw meaning, but agree you can change it up, like in the bridge of the song using that analogy. ("cuts like a jigsaw sawing thru my heart"??)
I also agree with the idea of taking out the the final straw, it doesn't fit with the jigsaw puzzle (beings as it kind of a farming analogy the straw that broke the camel or other animals back, where as jigsaws are usually an indoor activity if that matters. at least that's how my mind works, but I could be an odd duck)
I'd think about something like "the final pc to the puzzle" lines to replace the final straw.
But im no means a pro lyricist, so use or discard.
Tim
I also agree with the idea of taking out the the final straw, it doesn't fit with the jigsaw puzzle (beings as it kind of a farming analogy the straw that broke the camel or other animals back, where as jigsaws are usually an indoor activity if that matters. at least that's how my mind works, but I could be an odd duck)
I'd think about something like "the final pc to the puzzle" lines to replace the final straw.
But im no means a pro lyricist, so use or discard.
Tim
Tim Wolf
Nashville
"Nashville-based Romantic Rebel singer-songwriter making alternative songs for those who need a second chance"
www.thetimwolf.com
Nashville
"Nashville-based Romantic Rebel singer-songwriter making alternative songs for those who need a second chance"
www.thetimwolf.com
- LittleRedChurch
- Serious Musician
- Posts: 1263
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:51 pm
- Gender: Male
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?
Everyone has great points.
I would second rd on the bit about bringing your second jigsaw inference later in the song. Cass has some cool suggestions.
Love to hear it with song. That's the real litmus test. IMO!!!
Graham
I would second rd on the bit about bringing your second jigsaw inference later in the song. Cass has some cool suggestions.
Love to hear it with song. That's the real litmus test. IMO!!!
Graham
- coolhouse912
- Committed Musician
- Posts: 644
- Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2012 11:12 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?
I think Cass is pointing you in a good direction. I find the use of words like "broke" & "shattered" to be problematic since a jigsaw doesn't break things. It cuts them into pieces which are disassembled. The puzzle image is actually a unique metaphor & could be very strong if handled deftly.
This could be really cool. Keep at it.
Mike
This could be really cool. Keep at it.

Mike
- CharlieErnst
- Impressive
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:42 am
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?
Hey all, thanks for all of the input so far. Great ideas. Let me get to work on it. !
- Casey H
- King of the World
- Posts: 14666
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 3:22 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact:
Re: Can I get some lyric advice please?
I know a lot of people have already commented, Charlie. I haven't said anything because I'm not sure WHAT to say.bombaycharlie wrote:Hi. I've been working on a song chorus and I was wondering if I could get some input. This is the chorus idea that I've one up with so far:
Like a jigsaw
You got me broke into pieces
Scattered all around me on the living room floor
But the last straw
Was seeing how he pleases you
It shatters me and cuts right to the core
Like a jigsaw
I'm using two metaphors (for jigsaw) at the same time. Will that be too confusing for the listener?
Thanks for the input.
Don't take this as harsh but overall this chorus is unfocused and confusing. A chorus needs to be a clear summary-- an answer to what was introduced in the verse. The part about "Seeing how he pleases you" is in the wrong pronoun sense (Maybe "Seeing YOU with him, etc.) but it may not even belong in the chorus unless the point of the song is how she is with another guy as opposed to her just cutting him like a jigsaw.
If you use the jigsaw metaphor as a puzzle, then it usually implies something that can be put back together again. If you are talking about a saw, then you really need to focus on how she sliced through you like a jigsaw. Jigsaws cut, slice, etc... They don't "shatter".
This may not be the best example for your song, but sometimes I refer back to simple, effective songs of the past. For example, Madonna...
There is no doubt how she is using the "virgin" metaphor.Like a virgin
Touched for the very first time
Like a virgin
When your heart beats
Next to mine
My suggestion is to think about what the song's story and message are and go for something much clearer in the chorus. Yes, use a metaphor but if you get too cutesy people won't get it.
Best of luck!

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!
http://www.caseysongs.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/caseyh
https://www.taxi.com/members/caseyh
http://www.facebook.com/caseyhurowitz
http://www.caseysongs.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/caseyh
https://www.taxi.com/members/caseyh
http://www.facebook.com/caseyhurowitz
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests