Theory on melody and lyrics

[cameron]

Nice riff Suz! I could see that turning into a nice song.Cameron

[suzdoyle]

Thanks, Cameron! Suz

[flood]

Just an update if anyone cares. . . Suz and I are now collaborating on Midnght Line.I have a very good vocalist who I think can make it sizzle. She is reminiscent of a hardcore rock-blues Bonnie Raitt. Raspy and dusky.This will take some time, as Suz and I both work on many other things, but I plan to spend weekends on this until we have something resembling a song.Amazing place, this Taxi is.Best wishes!Leon

[suzdoyle]

High Five, Flood-meister! ,Suz

[linziellen]

Hey guys, I couldn't get the tune to work! Are you keeping it under wraps for now?! This looks like a very interesting thread, I have a lot of catching up to do.Linzi

[suzdoyle]

Dang. I'm not sure why it's not working. . . . . . . . . Howza bout we'll re-post it when we get it to the next stage . . . ,Suz

[christophersclaybo]

Leon,You hypothesis is FASCINATING!I have been trying to find the right melody and music for MY lyrics.It is so frustrating when you get a damn good beat that knocks your socks off, but then when you sing your lyrics to it, the finaly product sounds like crap, or just good.I got this song. I cannot put my finger on what the melody should be but I know it should be like... I just can't describe it, I'll know it when, if, I ever hear it...I offer you a challenge. I will be at the Road Rally, as Christopher S. Clayborne, a.k.a. Wild Man Chris. Myu challenge, if you decide to accept it, it to help me find that music down in my subconscious, somewhere in my spirit, and then to help me bring it up so I can have the perfect melody for my song "Reach Out and Grab It".I leave here now the lyrics to the song, which I can sing from start to finish...REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! Take control of the scene!REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! You know what I mean!REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! You wanna be IT:you just REACH OUT AND TAKE IT! Just don’t take no sh--!Don’t you DARE say it! … SSSSHHH! Don’t you DARE say it…! SSSSHHH! When given to them but then taken from you just REACH OUT AND TAKE IT! … Just don’t take their sh--Don’t you dare say it! … SSSSHHH!VERSE 1:Give yourself a hand: get one loaded with spades from the ace to the ten you can REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! Reach out to that that POWER residin’ inside you! REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! … Reach out to steal the moment to own it! Just REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! … The streets are white-hot you can’t stand still in one spot. Go ’head grab up the girl and then go for a whirl!CHORUS REPEATS--When they flaunt in your face do not TAKE IT: just REACH OUT AND GRAB IT…! With the back of your [hand]! [SLAP!] “OWWW, sh” --Don’t you DARE say it! SSSSHHH!VERSE 2: The stars on the sidewalks they’re HOT…And you’re not…? … Stand up tall on your star in their streetlights and REACH for the sky! Take the stage: then the spotlight will follow!REACH OUT AND GRAB IT like they do in the movies…! Steal the show. You break in the biz! Get your foot in the do’! … MUSIC STOPS FOR 1 BAR--SMILE! You’re being VIDEOTAPED!You’re the star in [their movie to be seen on the news!] [SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!] Everybody knows your name!Man, DA--Don’t you DARE say it…! SSSSHHH!CHORUS--Don’t you DARE say it! … SSSSHHH! Don’t you dare say it…! SSSSHHH…! IT happens…!Quit bitchin’ ‘bout not gettin’ what you wish could be yours! Simply REACH OUT AND GRAB IT…by the horns but quit taking their BULL--IT happens! MUSIC STOPS--SSSSHHH…! IT happens…!MUSIC BLASTS IN--Don’t you DARE SAY it…! REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! Just REACH OUT AND TAKE IT!BRIDGE: You see a fine girl walking by just a-shaking her A-AA-AAS--Don’t you DARE SAY IT! REACH OUT AND GRAB IT! You’re just might get slapped! Brother! That’s what you get! Next time show some respect!REPEAT CHORUS***, REPEATS CHORUS--Just don’t take no sh--Don’t you dare say it! … SSSSHHH!© Copyright, 2000, by Wild Man Chris…

[wignelson]

Leon, you are absolutely right. You do believe that there is only one lyric for every possible song. And you will continue to believe exactly as you do until you learn to think laterally. It's not for everyone. If everyone was like you, some people like Paul McCartney would forever be stuck with scrambled eggs.Wig

[rivercitymusic]

Could be true.I write the lyrics after wandering around fishing or hunting or hiking all day through the mountains. Sit down at the computer and vomit it out. Then i don't look at it again for a few days or a week or whatever. Several other ideas are in my mind bocking rational thought so they get hurled as well.Then later on i'll look back at one and start organizing it, refining it and humming along.The melody just comes. I can't explain it but it just comes.Now remember folks many of you are ARTISTS, you write play and sing. Not I said the goat!I just write lyrics and put a basic melody to them and when i do a rough demo i make certain all of my pets are out of the house and no one else is within a mile or so.Great bunch of information and people here, really amazing. Haven't ran into an ego to speak of yet either. That's refreshing.Doc

[ciskokidd]

Hey Flood,I'm late to this post, but I do agree with Vikki on your original premise. My best example is "It's Now or Never" (one of my favorite Elvis tunes) which was originally a song "O Sole Mio" written in Italian. It was then recorded in English as "There's No Tomorrow" and finally there was the Elvis version.So you see, there can be more than on set of lyrics to a melody that work and that capture the hearts of millions.Best regards,Cisko