Product Description

Covers structure, viewpoint, voice, rhythm, rhyme, and setting, identifies common song writing problems, and provides writing assignments.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #208967 in Books
• Published on: 1994-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 292 pages

Customer Reviews

What do you want: Processed Cheese Slices or Gorgonzola?
I've got to agree with an earlier reviewer who said this book would help you write average lyrics. But it depends what you want the book for. If you are writing generic pop songs for others to sing, then it's probably got something to say. But as a method for writer/performers in general, it's pure cheese. Some of examples of good writing quoted by the author had me cringing. And, in one or two cases, some of the student examples she mocked as bad examples were more thought-provoking than her own bland, generic lyrics. But that's the crux: generic lyrics or individual lyrics. I know which I'd rather have. But then again, she's making money out of it and I'm not.

How to write average songs
This book is ideal for the musician looking to get involved in songwriting, covering all the basics you need to become a competent lyricist. Especially any who have never read or studied poetry or lyrics at all.

Coming from the opposite direction, as a lyricist who has learned instruments to build the songs with, it was not a whole lot of use to me. It describes forms that I am familliar with from listening to my record collection, mistakes that anyone who has read any amateur lyrics (and quite a few professional ones) will be well aware of and adds nothing to what you could learn from listening closely to songs you enjoy. As a british person, it showed a bit of the irritating "Nashville is the home of God and the only place songwriting can ever be worthwhile" attitude that seems prevalent among American lyricists.

This is not a bad book- if you have never written songs, you're not happy with how your lyrics come out or you have written for a long time and just feel you've hit a wall then it may well help. If you are serious about your songwriting then there shouldn't be anything here you don't already know. Go out and buy some new records, listen to them and read the words. There is a world of learning in simply listening to great songwriters at work. The lessons in this book are clear but the songs, even the examples are largely lacking in flair and subtlety you end up feeling like you're diving for dear life when you should be diving for pearls.

Uncovers the mystery of writing clear, effective lyrics.
Sheila Davis has done an incredible job of clarifying what makes a great song and how to write it. It is not so much a book on creativity as a book on understanding the nuts and bolts of making your ideas into strong lyrics. She deals in detail with the elements of rhyme, Voice, viewpiont, time frame, setting. She has several challenging exercises that really get you thinking about options for your lyrics. She also delves in to using the whole brain and helping you unleash ideas. This book is not about getting published or the business of writing, it is about the principles that apply to all lyrics, regardless of style. I highly recommend this!