This might be the best, most succinct video, most valuable video on songwriting I've found yet. Thanks so much. You got me wanting to get back into it.
@@SongWritersChopShop And this is the playlist on my TH-cam channel with all the songs I wrote: th-cam.com/play/PLtxGypx5dmzxHfXl9JQxHpbJbwDi7hR5-.html
That wasn’t my experience at all. The canon method really resonated with me. It means to identify what is important in the universe of the topic you are writing about and think of only those details that support and reinforce the core concepts values. I think his video is pretty self evident. Very useful . I constantly commit the crime Putting too many details in , and only skimming the surface while going off on tangents. Failing to recognize that every line should support and or advance the core meaning of the song. And in a pop song that is absolutely critical
I watched this three times and still can't find any helpful information in it. All I heard was use the right words in your lyrics. Not being too verbose if clearly one helpful tip, but then again, tell me you can help tapping your foot to Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire.
Basically say what you mean if you have something to say, and say it in a way that works in a song because you’re writing one. Listen to successful songs and great songs and just do what they are doing, which is basically that.
Greetings Tony, does this method also work for making rap lyrics? If so, could you give me some examples? Something like rap songs by Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, etc.
It does indeed. Here's a couple from Drake. Texts go Green... "I can’t even remember when we lost each other"... 1)Was it last year? 2)This year? 3)Or some other? A Keeper... 1) What can I do for you, 2) how can I makе a difference? Friendship and loyalty, that’s not what it’s giving Giving that, 3)Why would I keep you around?
@@SongWritersChopShop Ahh. That means it works for any musical genre.. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to try it to see if it works for me (in my language, which by the way is Spanish).
Art just can’t be quantified in TH-cam videos. You just need to express your ideas as much as possible. This way you’ll get better at expressing YOUR ideas or discover that you don’t really have much to say. Either way it’s a win.
After loving the song since it was released in... 🤔...the late 60's(?), I only just noticed the power of alliteration. Listen to *_"Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby Stills Nash and Young."_* Almost every word in a line starts with the same letter. Eg. "Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers nearby...." The words don't have any apparent meaning, just a word salad from a dictionary I suppose.
About to drop one of the best albums ever. From the depths of my soul. I wrote this for me but anyone’s who’s heard a preview knows, it’s undeniable. Awesome vid concept.
But the people who write great lyircs never say "Oh, I have to use this method now, I have to write a word picture, but not go into too much detail", etc. They just do it, edit it, rewrite, based on their own writing skills. If you don't the skills, you can't do great stuff with a method.
Actually, lots of truly great lyricists do very much use techniques intentionally. Especially those who work in fields like music theatre where rewriting and finetuning are constant.
@@felixmarques For sure, anything that helps is good and I'm sure most lyricists have techniques that work for them, especially when they're stuck. But you still have to have the basic talent.
Skills are built. That's what skills are. Abilities that you have developed through effort. Being aware of a pattern makes it easier to recognize when you encounter it, and familiarity with patterns makes it easier to implement them in ways that others will later attribute to raw talent, or in rare examples, genius.
I think he means is it curcial to the point you are making in your song. Can you say more about less. Have fewer canon ideas that are explored fully rather than a lot of shallow ideas
So if i take Phish’s Brian and Robert: “if you’re just STARING at your walls LISTENING to thundering (does that count?) footfalls from tenants WANDERING distant halls then this one is for you.” But then in the next verse they switch it up to do what you were saying about having three lines describe the one before it (maybe in the same way that in the first verse the 4th line tells us why we are describing what we are (well, they have to answer their own “if”) or am I just being too “I have a useless English lit degree” about this? The second verse is “if children playing all around/ to you is noise and not pleasant sound/ and you’d be lost of the playground/Then this one is for you” I don’t see how that fits the pattern but the next verse does: “all alone the life you lead [so we describe it now] / A silent dinner where you feed/bow your head pretend to read.” Am I understanding this correctly and if I am, is Mr. Tamborine Man the ultimate example due to the entire song existing to show why he should have his request of a song played, promises he makes if Mr. Tamborine Man will play, what he will get out of it, what it will do to his senses, his imagination, his physical body, his convincing that he’s ready etc. it almost makes it sound laughably sinple when you think of it in terms of that song but many of the others you mentioned are more nuanced. As is this phish song i don’t see 100% clearly.
Well I must say that I was completely underwhelmed both by your suggestions and the songs you chose as being good lyrically. You firstly assume that a song has one central theme it wishes to convey and that should somehow be emphasized and take central stage. A great song can explore many themes some in depth where others it merely touches upon. Not every word in a lyric needs to relevant indeed by introducing "wrong" words into the lyric adds mystery to the song making the listener want to hear the song again to try to comprehend the meaning. If a song fully explains it's meaning it has failed. Think of songs as paintings not everything has to be in focus write an impressionistic song or a song in the style of Turner. Forget about fully focussed messages add mystery and vagueness to the content and you will have the listener coming back for more!
You want to get rid of the jokers and use the ideas that are essential to the message of the song (Canon ideas). Then you can use the second part of the Canon method to expand on those essential ideas. 👍
If you can sing the melody into a recording device(capture the butterfly) then you can find the notes on an instrument. DO NOT try to find the notes in you head on an instrument until you’ve recorded it. Recording it will keep it like it is in your head. As soon as you pick up an instrument & play a note if it’s not the right one it will conflict with the melody in your head & probably chase it away. Get it recorded first👍👍👍 sing it
I've written over 400 sets of lyrics and poems. Completed over 100 songs. I think it was Bob Dillon who said if you have nothing to write about write nothing at all. I guess maybe he ment get to the point. Remember everyone has a short attention span. You make some good observations in your video. Thanks for posting. .
Funny how you forgot to mention that Jimi Hendrix was also talking about Civil Rights and the lyric "My Kind" was about Racial Segregation in the United States.
Who runs the world? Girls Who runs this mother? Girls. Who runs the world? Girls... All on canon. Beyonce is a lyrical genius. Just kidding. I found this video interesting, it's all true. To expand, when I write I do this, but also do it on a 3 verse level, where each verse tells of a different aspect of that canon. E.g. first verse talks about playing as a child, second verse playing now, and third verse would be playing in the future (to give the most basic possible example).
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE CHEAT SHEET for plenty of songwriting ideas for beginners HERE: mailchi.mp/58918357b8ca/ten-lyric-writing-tips-for-beginners
Thanks
Mary Oliver - ‘Every adjective and adverb is worth 5 cents. Every verb is worth fifty cents’
I have that book
I’ve saved so many of your videos, what a great way to start your morning! It’s the little things that help so much more
Cheers nick, hope they are helpful 👍
Great video Tony, another fantastic way to look at lyric writing! Im getting inspired!
Good man Keith, good to hear from you👍
this is like poetry
This might be the best, most succinct video, most valuable video on songwriting I've found yet. Thanks so much. You got me wanting to get back into it.
Canon?
As always, great stuff!
Thanks!
Always great advice, appreciate you making these videos. Have a blessed day friend 🤙
Brother, you going to make me watch every video. "this next video is going to help you with lyrics even more!" (5x)
@@AnonymousUser805 you got to end with a cliff hanger these days, right? Thanks for watching 🙏
wow this is amazing. blew me mind
Nice one Dmyra. This technique has saved my a!# on many a lyric!👍
WOW!!!! this is HUGE!!!!! thank you!!!!!
Glad you got some value from it Dj👍
Glad you got some value from it Dj👍
You’re the best Tony!
Cheers Siren, glad you got some value from it 👍
wow AWESOME! I'm obsessed with your channel!
Your too kind Sarah, I'm so glad you get value from the content. You'll have to drop me a link to some if your music👍
@@SongWritersChopShop Of course! I just posted this one last week: th-cam.com/video/W_-drJ-LKl4/w-d-xo.html
@@SongWritersChopShop And this is the playlist on my TH-cam channel with all the songs I wrote: th-cam.com/play/PLtxGypx5dmzxHfXl9JQxHpbJbwDi7hR5-.html
my canon event happening after watching this video
👍
That wasn’t my experience at all. The canon method really resonated with me. It means to identify what is important in the universe of the topic you are writing about and think of only those details that support and reinforce the core concepts values. I think his video is pretty self evident. Very useful . I constantly commit the crime Putting too many details in , and only skimming the surface while going off on tangents. Failing to recognize that every line should support and or advance the core meaning of the song. And in a pop song that is absolutely critical
I watched this three times and still can't find any helpful information in it. All I heard was use the right words in your lyrics. Not being too verbose if clearly one helpful tip, but then again, tell me you can help tapping your foot to Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire.
😂 I can’t stand that song
Such great content! I always watch twice and take notes. Where can we find your original music?
Basically say what you mean if you have something to say, and say it in a way that works in a song because you’re writing one. Listen to successful songs and great songs and just do what they are doing, which is basically that.
Greetings Tony, does this method also work for making rap lyrics? If so, could you give me some examples? Something like rap songs by Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, etc.
It does indeed. Here's a couple from Drake.
Texts go Green...
"I can’t even remember when we lost each other"...
1)Was it last year?
2)This year?
3)Or some other?
A Keeper...
1) What can I do for you,
2) how can I makе a difference?
Friendship and loyalty, that’s not what it’s giving
Giving that,
3)Why would I keep you around?
@@SongWritersChopShop Ahh. That means it works for any musical genre.. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to try it to see if it works for me (in my language, which by the way is Spanish).
@@CinexfiloMusic nice one and good luck. Let me know how you get on👍
Art just can’t be quantified in TH-cam videos. You just need to express your ideas as much as possible. This way you’ll get better at expressing YOUR ideas or discover that you don’t really have much to say. Either way it’s a win.
Hi! It would be sooo amazing if you did a julian casablancas lyric tip video like you did with alex turner! Tysm love ur videos theyre super helpful ❤
After loving the song since it was released in... 🤔...the late 60's(?), I only just noticed the power of alliteration. Listen to *_"Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby Stills Nash and Young."_* Almost every word in a line starts with the same letter.
Eg. "Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers nearby...." The words don't have any apparent meaning, just a word salad from a dictionary I suppose.
Why TH-cam have the audio mute on this vid?
Such an improvement, now I can say that you’re kinda underrated…
👍
Good idea 👍🏻
About to drop one of the best albums ever. From the depths of my soul. I wrote this for me but anyone’s who’s heard a preview knows, it’s undeniable.
Awesome vid concept.
But the people who write great lyircs never say "Oh, I have to use this method now, I have to write a word picture, but not go into too much detail", etc. They just do it, edit it, rewrite, based on their own writing skills. If you don't the skills, you can't do great stuff with a method.
Actually, lots of truly great lyricists do very much use techniques intentionally. Especially those who work in fields like music theatre where rewriting and finetuning are constant.
@@felixmarques For sure, anything that helps is good and I'm sure most lyricists have techniques that work for them, especially when they're stuck. But you still have to have the basic talent.
Skills are built. That's what skills are. Abilities that you have developed through effort. Being aware of a pattern makes it easier to recognize when you encounter it, and familiarity with patterns makes it easier to implement them in ways that others will later attribute to raw talent, or in rare examples, genius.
Very cool tips 😍
Thanks Felicia, glad you got some value from it.
Can you explain 'canon' in the context of songwriting? Is this another acronym?
I think he means is it curcial to the point you are making in your song. Can you say more about less. Have fewer canon ideas that are explored fully rather than a lot of shallow ideas
Canon just means all the content. He's basically saying know what you're writing about and stick to that.
I get it that canon is the root idea. Then you expand it 1, 2, 3 or more using his method. I imagine more than one canon in a song.
So if i take Phish’s Brian and Robert: “if you’re just STARING at your walls LISTENING to thundering (does that count?) footfalls from tenants WANDERING distant halls then this one is for you.” But then in the next verse they switch it up to do what you were saying about having three lines describe the one before it (maybe in the same way that in the first verse the 4th line tells us why we are describing what we are (well, they have to answer their own “if”) or am I just being too “I have a useless English lit degree” about this? The second verse is “if children playing all around/ to you is noise and not pleasant sound/ and you’d be lost of the playground/Then this one is for you” I don’t see how that fits the pattern but the next verse does: “all alone the life you lead [so we describe it now] / A silent dinner where you feed/bow your head pretend to read.” Am I understanding this correctly and if I am, is Mr. Tamborine Man the ultimate example due to the entire song existing to show why he should have his request of a song played, promises he makes if Mr. Tamborine Man will play, what he will get out of it, what it will do to his senses, his imagination, his physical body, his convincing that he’s ready etc. it almost makes it sound laughably sinple when you think of it in terms of that song but many of the others you mentioned are more nuanced. As is this phish song i don’t see 100% clearly.
Phish lyrics don’t count because they are just nonsense. No canon, no meaning, no connection. Rubbish.
more like this!!!!!!!!
Well I must say that I was completely underwhelmed both by your suggestions and the songs you chose as being good lyrically. You firstly assume that a song has one central theme it wishes to convey and that should somehow be emphasized and take central stage. A great song can explore many themes some in depth where others it merely touches upon. Not every word in a lyric needs to relevant indeed by introducing "wrong" words into the lyric adds mystery to the song making the listener want to hear the song again to try to comprehend the meaning. If a song fully explains it's meaning it has failed. Think of songs as paintings not everything has to be in focus write an impressionistic song or a song in the style of Turner. Forget about fully focussed messages add mystery and vagueness to the content and you will have the listener coming back for more!
Great video, thanks! But one thing: Do we want jokers or not? Not really getting that part. 🃏😅
You want to get rid of the jokers and use the ideas that are essential to the message of the song (Canon ideas). Then you can use the second part of the Canon method to expand on those essential ideas. 👍
@@SongWritersChopShop Thank you. 👍
@@andrewtea no worries Andrew, let me know if you have any other questions.
I'm a fiction writer, not a lyrics writer. But this is useful.
Use words. Verbs, nouns and adjectives are highly recommended.
5:52 shit I just realized that Jonny D. In Blow we quoting this song to the judge…
I have no problem writing I just don't know how to write the melody that is in my head to paper with right notes
If you can sing the melody into a recording device(capture the butterfly) then you can find the notes on an instrument. DO NOT try to find the notes in you head on an instrument until you’ve recorded it. Recording it will keep it like it is in your head. As soon as you pick up an instrument & play a note if it’s not the right one it will conflict with the melody in your head & probably chase it away. Get it recorded first👍👍👍 sing it
ACTION ACTION ACTION!!
hi tony how’ve u been
Ha, I thought it was going to be about 'canon' as in Row Your Boat.
Bob Dylan. Sorry about spelling in previous comment. Lol
I've written over 400 sets of lyrics and poems. Completed over 100 songs. I think it was Bob Dillon who said if you have nothing to write about write nothing at all. I guess maybe he ment get to the point. Remember everyone has a short attention span. You make some good observations in your video. Thanks for posting.
.
1:59 go the freaks :)
Funny how you forgot to mention that Jimi Hendrix was also talking about Civil Rights and the lyric "My Kind" was about Racial Segregation in the United States.
John Lennon has left the chat.
"The wave" ("La ola") is named "The mexican wave"?
- any mexican
Another belter..
Cheers memorisin 👍
cool... . but "We can write more about less"? Seems you want the other way around. Or "we can write less and say more." maybe.
Who runs the world? Girls
Who runs this mother? Girls.
Who runs the world? Girls...
All on canon. Beyonce is a lyrical genius.
Just kidding. I found this video interesting, it's all true. To expand, when I write I do this, but also do it on a 3 verse level, where each verse tells of a different aspect of that canon. E.g. first verse talks about playing as a child, second verse playing now, and third verse would be playing in the future (to give the most basic possible example).
Poor jimi looked 40 when he was not even 27 yet
That's what happens when you play with fire.
No
@@GoingMarco yup
Uh... free falling was a joke song..in a way. He was in the stuido with Jeff Lynn, and he was making him laugh.. it's cool story..fyi...
Th guitar rack behind you keeps me from listening
damn i didnt really get it
The mark of a beast is just a mark
Hendrix’s lyrics in many cases, ended up sounding very ghetto
What does this even mean