JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Why Did You Start Writing Songs? What Made You Think You Could?

When, and why, did you write your first song? When did you first realize that you might want to be a songwriter? Did it start with poetry and then evolve into songwriting? Or, did you see or feel something and then arbitrarily wrote a song about it? Looking forward to hearing your answers.


HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!

Hi Alan,

Happy New Year to you too.

I like to think back on this question. Funny, I used to say I started with the Rainbow song. But, it really was the children't healthy habits song. Somehow, in the move from Birmingham the song got lost. Can't find it on the computer files either. Anyway, I'm not sure exactly how I decided to write it except that I was responsible for coming up with a children's 'story' for church and it happened to be for the same weekend as a big health emphasis program. Had enough advance notice that I decided to do something bigger than usual. Since I taught a kindergarten class at the time, I had several students who could be prepared to wear animal costumes for a little skit. Had been collecting the costumes at after Halloween sales for several years. Anyway, one thing led to another and the song was written. It was such a fun experience. Written to the tune of row row row your boat. Had about 7 verses maybe but they were all rather funny quips on healthy habits. The audience laughed a lot. After that, I was hooked. One verse I played around with (but didn't keep) had something about not barbecuing your neighbor!!

Thanks for posting this. Looking forward to reading everyone else's answers.

Vanessa

Selling parodies of Beutiful Brown eyes to love struck school mates for three pence a pop back around 1951 got me started.
That progresee to poetry, then prose, then journalism, then back to music once I worked out how to make my own.
Life's a circle for me.
Graham

It all started with many a weekend family camping trip. The scenery got boringsince it was the same forests every week...and I started singing quietly to the window....just making things up when I couldn't think of other songs.
and sometime at the age of seven...wrote a full song. (well..... not the greatest...but not bad for a 7year old.

A year or two later when I started taking formal piano lessons.. there were biographies in my music books of some of the great composers. and reading how Bach and Mozart were writing (or inBach's case transcribing after listening to a concert) full symphonies, concertos...or such at the age of 5...I thought I was getting a late start.
I certainly didn't really think I was doing anything all that unusual.It was several years later before I started writing songs about my own life.... or what I saw around me.
Even now...I tend to keep my own personal life fairly camauflaged or even absent from my writing. I might write from how I THINK I would feel in a given situation..., and if it's my story....I'm liable to change a few facts... to at the least make the song flow better.
I believe it was my namesake...the great Harriet Shock who said..
never let the facts get in the way of a great song" (ot something close to that)LOL

Happy new year Alan, In high school I wrote a poem for the school paper. It was a psychodelic jumble of words that happened to rhyme. Sort of along the lines of "I am the walrus". It made no sense what so ever. People loved it. I couldn't understand why because I was embarresed that I even wrote it. I started learning to play the guitar in my twenties and wanted to write but anything I wrote down sounded so stupid to myself that I wouldn't dare let anyone else hear it.I started playing cover songs for years until I began getting small gigs and doing open mike nights. I would listen to other people play the same cover songs that I did. It didn't matter how obscure the song was,and I thought no one else would play it someone always did.I really wanted to write songs but was afraid.Finally I'd had enough of playing other peoples music and jumped in the lake(sink or swim)the reaction was positive. My fears were unfounded. Just like high school. I've been writing ever since though slow(I havn't written alot of songs yet)as in hundereds. I still enjoy doing cover songs. Maybe I'll put my first poem to music some day.

Hi, Alan,

Happy New Year!!

You win the award for offering the BEST topics here

Well...I have really enjoyed reading these responses...people here are so interesting!!

I started writing poetry when I was about 6 years old. I loved rhymes and always wrote poems that had AABB rhymes. I tended to write fantasy type poems, as well as humorous poems. When I was 7, I started piano lessons. I had this awesome teacher who also taught me theory and composing. She taught me to write a melody with chords underneath, AND to notate it! I wrote my first instrumental song when I was 8. Between the ages of 8 and 10, I wrote piano pieces only. Learning the basics about chord structure really helped. I started learning guitar when I was 8, and started writing songs with words....they were pretty simple, believe me!!

I wasn't until I was about 12 that I started writing songs that reflected deeper emotion. It was at this time that I discovered Joni Mitchell's music, which literally changed my life, and showed me the magic of using words to paint a picture and use unique imagery to convey emotion. Writing songs helped me survive adolescence and allowed me to have an outlet for my feelings. From that point on, I wrote music because I had a lot to say..and the same is true today

One more thing: I also write music because one of my life's goals is to create music for healing and charity. I have written a few songs for memorials and for specific social causes.

I hope someday to be able to use my music to raise money for AIDS and cancer research.

Emily

Hey Alan,
It was LOVE that made me do it. After I learned my first three guitar chords I decided to write a love song to my 12 year old girlfriend.(I was 13) She kinda giggled at it. Come to think of it I get that response a lot.
Rick

Hey Alan:

Second your nomination as "best starter of new topics"

I remember "when" - I was 16 and had just bought Bob Dylan's "Greatest Hits - Vol II". Wasn't long after that I started writing my own songs.

The "why" is a mystery. Even at that age, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted my main purpose in life to be and it wasn't music. Why I kept writing them and why I keep writing them - I haven't the faintest idea. I wrote on my Soundclick site that it was because it didn't occur to me not to. That's probably as good an explanation as I have

"Because it's fun" is probably accurate, though a bit trite.

Scott

Vanessa,

Ya know, you really are one of the sweetest people here at JPF. You are so honest, cheerful and engaging. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that it is a true pleasure having you in our midst. And for those of you who have never had the pleasure of meeting her, Vanessa is as sweet and pleasant in person as she is here on the boards. I don't think there is a pretentious bone in her body!

Your story about beginning to write songs is really great! So, it was the audience's positive reaction that gave you the message? Your talent is certainly developing quite nicely!

There might be a way to find that lyric that you haven't ben able to find on your computer. Go to "Start", then click on "Search", then click on "Documents", then click "Don't Remember", then type in the name of the song in that small text box, and finally click on "Search". That might find it for you. If I were anywhere near you, I could probably find it for you, even if it doesn't come up on the search process I just detailed. Let me know, okay?

Have a great 2007!

Alan

Graham,

Interesting path you took. It all kind of ties together. But, you say that it was those love struck classmates that started it all? Well, cobber, you've done well over the years. I've read and listened to a heck of a lot of your stuff over the past 5 or 6 years and have to give ya a nice pat on the back. You've done good! Have a terrific 2007!

Alan

Harriet,

So you've had those creative juices since you were a little kid? Isn't it fascinating how the mind overcomes boredom! Let's see now...you started writing at age 7. So, that means you've been writing for 20 years, or thereabouts. I somewhat envy those of you who have had the opportunity for a formal music education. I like to think that I am an accomplished guitarist...but I have no formal music education what-so-pever. I sometimes wonder if my skills would be even better had I had that opportunity. I can't help but think they would be better.

Those of you who may not know it, Harriet wrote the music to some lyrics I wrote back in the spring of 2006. She did a wonderful job on them. She is the ONLY person to ever compose the music to any of the 5 or 6 hundred lyrics I have written. She's that good, folks!

Loved your story, Harriet. As is obvious from my song that you put the music to ( I know...using proper grammar it should be "to which you put the music"!), I am pretty open about my life in my writing. But, I am not a real private person. Just the difference in people.

Great story, Harriet! Thanks for sharing it with us. Have a properous 2007!

Alan

Ben,

Thanks for telling us your story. So, it was a psychodelic poem that got ya started, eh? I guess you just squashed that widely held belief that nothing good ever came out of that "psychodelic crap" from the '60s! Most of us seem to have weathered it okay, don'tcha think?

I don't think you are by yourself in thinking that some of your first writing was embarrasing silliness. A lot of folks I have spoken with about this subject have said something similar to that. If we only knew what it would eventually lead to! Thanks for getting back to me and the rest of us on this. Have a really good 2007!

Alan

Emily,

Well, thank you so much for your comment about my topic starters. That is so thoughtful of you! I try to ask questions that I think will have a broad interest. I try to get up close without getting too personal. I have found the replies to all of my threads to be extremely interesting and educational. I have to thank all of you fine folks for that.

I am in complete awe of your musical background! You are so incredibly talented. Now, I think I know why! I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old. Just before my 13th birthday, I made my first dollar playing out professionally. I do not have one minute of formal music education. But, I do think I have a fair amount of God-given talent. I think it is important that we develop and use those talents He gives us. He gave us those talents for a reason. That's my opinion. Others may differ. And that's okay!

You are a talented and very warm person, Emily. I admire your skills and your aspirations. Your presence only adds to the charm and comfort of wherever you may be. Thanks for all you contribute. Here's wishing the best of everything for you in 2007!

Alan

Hey Rick!

I just love the simplicity of uyour response! That is great! Some may giggle...I admire! Hope 2007 brings all that you expect and hope for!

Alan

Hi, Alan,

Thanks for your kind compliments..what a great family we have here at JPF

Don't EVER worry about how old you were when you started music! George Gershwin started playing piano at age 13 !!!

It is never too late to play music!

Emily

Scott,

Always a treat when you stop in for a visit. From everything I've read, plus the exchanges I have had with you, you seem be a really cool guy! Could be an outdated phrase...I dunno. But being a cool guy ranks pretty high in my chart!

So, Bob Dylan was the catalyst for you? I think the unique and simple ways he has of saying things has caught the attention of many future musicians and songwriters over the years. I love almost everything he writes...not a real big fan of his vocals, though! When I look at the lyrics to most of the siongs he cut on his "Nashville Skyline" album, even thouygh it was 40 years ago, I am still amazed with his ability to use the English language in the way that he does.

Can't think of a better reason to do anything than "because it's fun"! That works for me!

Just looking at your avitar...that doesn't look like typical clothing for anybody I know who lives in Florida! Were ya snow skiing?

Thanks for dropping in with an iteresting reply. Here's hoping 2007 brings you even more than you were hoping for!

Alan

Alan cool Topic! Yes i always dabbled in poetry but also played in garage bands for 20+years.I decided to leave the band thing and chase my real dream of writing songs.So I guess i wrote my first song about 7 years ago.It was called One Small World .It was written with my Dad in mind being a sailor,and Loving a woman (my mom)and his sons who loved him .But he also had a love affair with drinking .And he was the best Dad,Husband in the world but Alchohol took it all even his life .
So that was my first song.And it was to me so strong that it opened my heart and soul up to songwriting ,and it was where i really wanted to be in my music life rather than in another band .Si i hased it joined NSAI,And ASCAP as a writer /Publisher .I am still working a day job hahah!But i love the writing and try to mix family with writing and we are all happy with the whole thing . So thats what told me i could write or at least try to write .Your heart will open many doors if you let it!!Take care . S.Dee

Hey this topic has been fun to read. Everyone has a great different story. I always wrote poetry, n just up and decided I wanted to write lyrics. I have a tendency to sing what I'm writing anyway. I played the flute in the school band..:) gosh does that even count? but am taking guitar lessons now, 20 something years later....LOL

The first "real" song that had music and everything...LOL was with Iggy...and you know how much fun that bunch is...it becomes contagious....

Kathy

hi Alan, everyone, nice topic and cool replies

Around '83-'84.....
I wrote my first few after I started listening to Waylon and Willie records. I wrote 3 or 4 country songs. 3 chord simple stuff. Didn't think I wrote very well.

1988....
Got married, and just kept a flat top around to strum on when the mood hit.

2002.....
Started getting serious about playing the guitar. By then I was listening to singer songwriters mostly. Cash, Prine, Steve Earle,James Taylor. And Neil Young. Can't forget him lol.

So I got to thinking, if I can relate so much to these songs I'm hearing these days, I might be able to write some myself.

.... and my wife gets credit too. One night she said I should sell my guitar, because " You never play a whole song. You just just play half of one, and then play half another".
That kinda made me mad lol, so I wrote one that night, and played and sang it for her. She liked it and said I should write some more. So I did.

Happy New Year Alan!

"When, and why, did you write your first song"?

When Nixon was president. A protest song called "Mr. Nixon Go Home", (to your hometown where you belong). Vietnam war for why. Guess I was around 15.


"When did you first realize that you might want to be a songwriter?"

I guess at around age 8, when playing the accordian, and finding myself making up new ways to play the song I was given to practice for a week. Enhancing the melody to be more expressive I guess. It all just seemed too block style with the basic music sheets I was given, and hearing the songs on radio so much better sung. (I paid for those liberties though, as soon my teacher gave me 8 to 12 page overtures). He would stay for three hours my mother tells me now, when he was only to be there a half hour. Cut into my playing outside with my friends time on Tuesdays.


"Did you see or feel something and then arbitrarily wrote a song about it?"

The war. Killings. Seeing protests on the news.

From there, if interested, I did some more really bad songs. "Dirty Dirt". "Wandering Man". "Little girl three doors down". Yikes!

So, I didn't give my songwriting any serious thought at all. I got into bands about that same time, (15), and played in one that was the best in the state of NJ before I got into it. As pro as can be without being signed, and just covers. Catskills, getting out of school Fridays to take the bus up there. All kinds of dances, weddings, battle of the bands, etc. Never placed second in about 12 of them, (not from me being in though. I was just a normal playing Vox Jaguar organ player, who didn't sing at all.

Then, is '73, for another band I was in, I co-wrote two songs with the lead singer. ("Bathtub Gin", and "Walking the line"). The first while actually laying in a dry tub,(clothed), and sort of,,,well OK,,,drunk, and the lead singer sitting, (clothed) on
the closed toilet set cover. Gin was one of his favs, so the song became "Bathtub Gin". THAT was the first song that made me think I may have something. BUT not enough to think about it more than when just playing those two songs within the night's playing. It was enough for me I guess, to just have those two. I didn't sing lead at that point, so I didn't have that frontman mentality.

Then in 74, the drummer, bass player and I recorded 20 minutes of the only other songs I had, all instrumentals, (although "Walking on the Line" was one that had words, but we didn't include them in our live recording in my bedroom, (across the street from here where I grew up...mom's still there!) Sis too.
That collection is called "Twenty Minutes is a Lifetime", and to some even now, they consider that piece of work as one of my best. Weird how they all just poured out, from seemingly nowhere and with just going on feelings,,,,not thinking about chords, (although I knew what I was playing, "most of the time").
One of the songs that came out of that is one that some here like, called "Don't Ever Leave Me". (Still an instrumental, but is still one of my favorites. It was then, 1974, that I felt like I could compose "music", and with starting to make up various styles, (ragtime, to silly love songs, Ha!, to classic sounding standard type songs, (from hearing my dad play all the time on mandolin), I knew I wanted to only write what was going to come out naturally, and not try to write what was on the radio, as some said to do if I wanted a chance for a hit song. (I had a producer friend of my aunts who told me that, after hearing "Twenty Minutes is a Lifetime" (that 20 minutes piece of about 6 instrumentals). I knew he was right, but I thought that's what "they write".

Funny,,,,well not really, but I REALLY got into being a songwriter as the years pasted. The more time went on, the more I thought this is what I want to do! BUT time just kept on slipping away. So much so, that by time I actually formed a band for my music, it was last year! At age 53! Talk about not not planning!
I have such the desire NOW,,,,,why not THEN, when at the age of being able to be have a chance at a career for one's music?
BUT,,,,this band with Iggy is SO much fun,,,,,and work too, with the recording process taking longer than expected, but fun still, that it's all OK! I raised my kids how I wanted,,,,(to be there all the itme for them), so no regrets when I think about that!


Oh, I could even go on more,,,,,and this is already way too long and out of topic, so I'll say goodnight!

Goodnight!
Thanks for asking too, Alan. I'll read everyones reply either tonight or tomorrow, or both. Great question! Looking forward to everyone's first song story,,,and more of they do.
John

During my childhood we moved around quite a lot. I was in the third grade in California, West Virginia and Delaware.

I remember my Dad telling me we might have to move again. I went out to my backyard and began to swing on my swing set. There, I wrote my first song. I was eight. Still remember the melody and the words:

“This time tomorrow I wonder where I’ll be.
Might be California or maybe Tennessee
But anyway we’ll be together oh yeah yeah yeah”


Many years later, I'm still working on the bridge.

When I was a teenager, a girl I liked moved out of state with her parents. I was listening to the radio when they played Bill Anderson's "Still". The bridge went:

I don't know who you're with
I don't even know where you've gone
My only hope is someday you'll hear this song
and you'll know I WROTE It especially for you
and I love you- wherever you are

And I thought to myself, wish I could write like that.

Gosh,
this is a good question. I hadn't thought about it before. After seeing all these stories I have to think. I guess it started with an assignment in some elective course in college. We were to interview someone who'd experienced some form of prejudicial discrimination. It took forever to get any of my friends to talk to me about it. What I heard was unexpected. As time went by I heard other friends hint at the same thing. Over time a poem fermented. I did it up real nice on parchment glued to a beautiful burled wood plaque and sent it off to an old buddy. He loved it, put it on the wall and when called for has the kids he coaches read it. I was thrilled to be able to express something for someone else, something important but difficult. It also relieved me of some boredom. Then I got to thinking that poetry has a very small audience whereas songs have a large audience. That was 2 years ago so I'm trying to learn to write a lyric. I've found some great folks to learn from which is good. I've been real lucky like that. I swear I've known 1/2 of all the best people in the world. Well I know a lyric ain't a song but I'll never manage music (kicked out in 4th grade). At any rate it is fun.
John

John, never say never! (Now granted my songs so far are very elementary in composition)--- But, I was also kicked out of piano lessons by my Piano Teacher Mom! Today, 36 years later I am just beginning to find the joy of learning guitar chords and melody painting. Hey, you never know. It has so much to do with the approach of the teacher. Me, I found the best books for teaching children guitar. I highly recommend them. Plus it always helps to hang out with folks who believe you can learn and share their wisdom in easy to learn ways. I've been fortunate to find a couple folks who do just that as well.

Now if you just don't WANT to learn to play an instrument, that's well and good. But, I believe if you want to you CAN!

Vanessa

Hi Alan,

WoW! You sure are a sweet and complimentary guy. No wonder we flock to your fine threads! No, seriously. I love your open ended questions that get all the folks to talk. I'll tell on myself now since you've just mentioned the positive. Got to bring myself back to reality here! LOL! I have been known to talk too much and not listen enough! ha! bad habit for someone who hopes to write a good song! But, with examples like you, I'm sure to learn some new good habits. Well, long as you behave, of course. No seriously, reading the responses from the diverse bunch of talented folks here is pure gold. Thanks for mining it for us.

Vanessa

Alan , stop gawking at me , you'll make me nervous.
When I was a junior in hs a senior who rode the same bus told me he was having writer's block and needed to write a poem for his yearbook . I told him I didn't know how to rhyme very well and didn't know about writer's block , he told me that poems can be long or short , they can rhyme , but ; they didn't have to . I wanted to know what the catch was , because that sounded way too easy . He said that it had to be something that you were emotional about. Next morning , I brought him in a little poem that didn't rhyme and it ended up in his yearbook , that kinda made me smile.
Twelve or thirteen years later I did some writing in a creative writing class and really enjoyed it , short stories , mostly. Twenty something years later I posted some songs on a buletin board and a friend said , hey , those are terriffic , you ought to send them to a record company . Sorta hit a brick wall there and I wasn't trying to get a record deal , or nothing.
A year or so later , I was looking around at songwriting contests , I noticed that jpf's was free and wasn't 30 bucks apiece sure that they were that good , so , I brought them here to get critiqued and am I glad I did , well after the initial shock of finding out that they weren't that great and had problems with them.
Still here three years , or so , later . I didn't figure I could write a song , until , one day , I tried just out of the blue. Still working at it and with all the pointers and help I'm getting around here , I'm sure to make it . No hurry , though.
Pete

I started playing guitar when I was 8 or 9 and immediately started cobbling lines from folk songs together to make up my own, sort in the vein of old blues songs where so many lines are reused. When I was about 12 I wrote down for the first time my own lyrics and put them to music. That first song was a sentimental sappy love song, but it got me started on writing my own lyrics. I had listened to many songwriters at that point and songs were more important to me than the artist. Dylan was a huge influence and his words seemed to mean so much more than most of the other writers, that I began writing longer pieces with lots of cryptic symbolism. By the time I was playing in bands, I had a notebook full of songs, but began writing to meet the abilities of those in my bands. My first songs that I felt were beginning to be decent were written around 17, or so. I was beginning to move away from the cryptic symbolism and write in more plain spoken words. I was constantly being tugged in several directions at once, because I also loved the simplicity of songwriters like Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash, but I was playing in rock bands so my music was always a little different. I also listened to many other styles including a lot of blues, but felt that writing blues was redundant. I felt the great blues had been written and did not need me to add to the catalog. I had already spent time cobbling lines together in a blues style before I started writing my own thoughts down. I loved the whimsy of Fats Waller, and his phenomenal musicianship and tried on occasion writing in that style, but the music did not translate well to the rock bands. I never wanted to be pigeon-holed in my writing so one criteria I set for myself many years ago was to never repeat a style from one song to the next. This is no longer an issue for me, but at one time it was a guideline I went by. This made for an eclectic mix of songs, but it made it hard to have a cohesive sound as a band. I eventually moved away from this approach.

When I moved to Chicago in 1997 due to my wife's illness, I gave up music for awhile. A few years ago when my older daughter was 16 she was bemoaning the fact that she had no place to sing, so I began taking her out to clubs with me and accompanying her so she could sing. That got me back into music and I began writing again in earnest. It was a huge hole in my life not writing songs. I did occasionally write a song or two, because I sporadically wrote a journal, and I mixed songwriting in with keeping the journal, but did not focus on it very much.

I am not playing with my daughter much anymore, because she is focusing on other things right now, but I have since stayed busy writing and performing as a solo act or with a couple of accompanists. I also play on Saturday mornings with some folk/bluegrass musicians. During the summer we play at the local Farmer's Market, and during the winter a smaller subset of that group meets at an old folk's home on Saturday mornings and perform. We have a captive audience who loves our music, and the room is awesome to play in because the acoustics are perfect for acoustic instruments using no amplification.

I think I answered more than you asked. Sorry for getting carried away with my post.

Another interesting topic. I started writing poetry when I was 12. I still remember the first few lines of the first poem I ever wrote. It was after my first kiss boyfriend (Darren) broke up with me... It went a little something like this:

Remember the summer the way it was
Don't try to change it, I'll tell you because
It was a wonderful summer and love we shared
But I thought you loved me, but did you really care

Ugghhh, that's painfully cheesey and horrible...

After that, every friend I had and their friends and their friends, etc, started asking me to write poetry for them. The one poem I was most proud of was one I wrote when my brother's best friend, Dave, was killed in a car accident shortly after graduation. I was 14 at the time. Somehow it made its way through the high school and ended up in the local newspaper. One evening I was sitting down to dinner with my family and the doorbell rang. It was the flower delivery person bringing me a boquet of flowers. On the card, it read, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness of Dave" and it was signed by his parents. The next day, Carolyn, Dave's mom called and asked if it would be okay if they took a couplet from the poem and have it engraved on his headstone with my initials. Of course I said, "yes". On his headstone it reads:

"Life goes on, though quiet it seems
He's still alive in all our dreams --CKT"

Yes, that is still my proudest achievement in writing.

But, I digress.

When I first got the internet, my best friend Connie told me I needed to find an outlet for my writing. I thought and thought about what I could possibly do. Finally, I did a search for songwriting and ran across a site called, "Songwriting Haven" which Sue Dunlap Junkins operated. That is where I met Stan Good and he told me I was good enough that I should be posting on Shayne's site, "The Write Stuff". From there, I found JPF and that's where I am today. When I wrote my first lyric, it was HORRIBLE, absolutely AWFUL! It was sooooo long and cheesey and icky and blechy. I learned word economy from Glen (Silver Kat) and Stan and from there Bob Young. I have been helped by so many people along the way it's amazing. Folks like you Alan, Curtis Cameron, Shandy Lawson, Bobbie Gallup, Dawg, Graham, Harriet, Idamarie, the list goes on and on and on and on...

Anyway, I don't do any music, just words and through the generosity of many, I am able to hear my words brought to life. I feel very lucky!

I don't know if I answered the question or not, but that's how it all began for me.

Take care,
Tink

Hi Alan... I agree you offer up some super open ended questions for us to think about...and I think by doing so...you're bringing folks together on what we share as songwriters.
Thank you....so much ...have enjoyed reading everyone's story.

I got mad.** That's why I started to write.

A little over 6 years ago...I wrote a 10 verse ...hmmm...10 chorus?.. song... where bottled emotions came spilling out. That's when I started writing. Then I followed with some poems...that I brought to JPF in November of 2000. That small board of Lyricists took me under wing and helped me change poems into lyrics ... Had I been more attentive, I might have discovered the lyrics earlier in life...because my Mom is/was a poet/short story writer...and I do believe she passed the love of writing down to me. The melodies are a God-Given
Gift... that started surfacing in the spring of 2001... I took
some unintentional, misguided advice...and ignored several of the first melodies I "heard" in my mind ....That's why I'm so adamant about folks 'not' ignoring what they hear...and feel strongly that folks 'should' pursue melodies....by whatever means they have available whether it's by clinking one finger on the keyboard, humming into a tape recorder...or strumming on a guitar. I went to the piano...and did a lot of one finger recordings.... in 2001 and after a while, started hunting for what I heard in the left hand playings.

My prior background in piano was.. 2 1/2 years of lessons in the early primary grades....and racing off to play when Mom said..."time to do dishes". I can read notes..as long as they stay in the staff..above and below I guess at them.

Anyhoo...that is how I started writing... I can both thank...and (blame)** my husband .....

Hugs..to ya
Kaley

Emily,

You are correct...it is NEVER too late. Regarding the other, I simply say what I think is true.

Alan

S.DEE,

Thanks for looking and giving us your thoughts on this subject. That's a pretty cool story about writing that first one for your Dad, and how it woke up your emotions to songwriting. I went through the same thing with my father and alcoholism. It didn't kill him, though...smoking did. He smoked 2 - 3 packs of Camels unfiltered for 40+ years. He died of lung cancer in 1968. Drinking and smoking were high priorities for him. Too bad...he was a talented man.

Enjoyed hearing your story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Hope 2007 brings everything good you are hoping far.

Alan

Kathy,

Hey, is that a picture of you about 20 years ago? So, you just up and decided to start writing lyrics all of asudden. You're the first person to say that. I find that very interesting and refreshing. And yep...playing the flute counts!

First real song was with Iggy, huh? That must have been quite an experience! Starting your legitimate songwriting career with Iggyitis! Holy Smoke!!! And you still seem to have your complete sanity...impressive!

Wishing you lyrical rewards in 2007.

Alan

My first song stemmed from a broken hearted poet.

Yes...me.

I suppose you could call me a poet. I attempted poetry (as I had from the tender age of 12). Truth is...music has always been in my blood. I've always loved it. I guess it was just a matter of time before the poems I wrote bloomed into lyrics and melodies in my head. At 18, my dad literally tried to talk me into moving to Nashville and attending college there. I guess he saw something in me then that even I didn't see. It wasn't until I was about 25 that the transformation occurred (first song). I didn't know how to write music (still don't, but I'm workin' on it)...but I can sing the melody to you. My new year's resolution is to stop neglecting my guitar in the corner.

Sadly enough, I came across JPF about 4 years ago and browsed around, but didn't stay. I wish I had now. I can only imagine how much farther I'd be by now if I had made a different decision on that. Anyway...here I am now...being guided and encouraged by some of the most talented people. I know God has a plan...don't know what it is...but He has one!


Bree

Tony,

Well, now...here's a fellow who gives his wife a lot of credit for his songwriting genesis. Good for you! Support from the spouse can be very rewarding. I asm fortunate that my wife is very supportive of what I do. It's a really nice feeling.

And you're right...these folks here at JPF have some very interesting and entertaining stories to tell. I'm loving every response.

The first Waylon song I ever heard was "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line". I think that was in 1954...might have been '63. That descending guitar lick captured me immediately!

Taske care in 2007, Tony. Hope everything good comes your way.

Alan

Alan, I wrote bad poetry in high school (I did obituaries for all my friends, and of course a lot of stuff for my girlfriend). I learned guitar to impress the girlfriend (the guitar and I ended up being together a lot longer than the girlfriend and I), and it was a short step from writing bad poetry to writing her a bad folksong. (Yes, I still remember it, word for word and note for note. And no, no one's ever going to hear it again.)

Just kinda fell into the writing, I guess--parodies first, then things that had "independent" melodies. What convinced me I could do it was a parody of a parody I'd heard, of "The Wreck of the Old 97," probably one of the most-parodied bluegrass songs ever (because it's really not a very good song). The Kingston Trio had done the famous one, of course, about the guy who gets stuck on the Boston subway at election time. But my baby sister had a boyfriend who was from Japan, who had written his own parody of *that*, about the Tokyo subway system, and it wasn't half-bad, either. And I said, "Hey, if he can do it, I can do it, too." Portland, Oregon, where I was living at the time, didn't have a subway, but they had a bus district--that had just implemented a rate increase in very stupid fashion.

After the band happened (another of those things I just fell into), "The Tri-Met Bus Song" became one of The Dodson Drifters' hits. And I guess you could say it was all downhill from there.

Interesting stories, everybody.

Joe
www.soundclick.com/bands/7/joewrabek_music.htm

What a great subject!

I have been writing for years. Mostly songs, poetry and short stories. At one time in another life before marriage and kids I was playing very regular in the Bay Area. Cover tunes and originals.....I had a pretty decent following. I knew then I had talent, now I am trying to find it again at this stage of my life.

Now I am looking to join a band and see where it takes me.

Don

Hey Everybody!!

I am so far behind on replies to all your great posts here. I promise, though, that I will get caught up. It masy take a day or two...but I will catch up!

I'd like to thank all of you who have so generously and willingly replied to this and the other topics I have put out for discussion. I was hoping for a nice rersponse...but never anticipated anything like this! I am amazed and thrilled with so many wonderful and heart-warming replies. It is no exaggeration what-so-ever for me to say that you guys and gals are truly an interesting and well-spoken group of folks. As I read each reply, I find myself totally engrossed and overwhelmed by your generous sharing of experiences. What a talented and inspiring bunch you are. And I mean that sincerely.

Between the avatar pictures and the exchanges we have enjoyed on this and many other threads, I think we are getting to know each other so much better. And we are, I am convinced, becoming more and more a tight-knit community and family of artists and Just Plain Folks.

Thanks so very much for your participation,. You guys and gals have some really awesome stoies and experiences to tell. This has been incredibly educational, as well as entertaining. Five, that's right...count them...5 big shiny Gold Stars to all of you! [color:#FFCC00]* * * * * [/color]

Alan

PS: The guy in the window in my avatar...he looks quite a bit like me, but I'm not quite that good looking.

John,

Alway enjoy your posts and stories. You're one intersting guy! Let's see...from accordian player...to protest songwriter...to overatures...to musician in rock band...to songwriter...to..... Too bad you didn't have a little diversity along the way!!

One fairly common theme in these replies is that most of you who started out as musiciasns didn't get into songwriting until quite a bit later in your careers. And, if you are lyricists only, most of you started out with some sort of poetry and then began writing lyrics relatively young.

Thanks for the really great timeline of your musical career. Totally interesting! Here's wishing you continued and greater success in 2007!

Alan

Iggy!

it's always a cool thing when you drop in. Appreciate you checking this out and getting back to us.

I can really empathize (see, I know a big word or two!) with you about the constant change of address. When I joined the Army in June of 1965, I was 18 years old. I had lived at 21 addresses in 13 towns...all in northeast and eastern Missouri. You learned not to devlop close friendships becasue you knew you probably wouldn't be there the next year. I went to 4 different schools in 4 different school districts in the 5th grade. But California to Delaware...ya got me there! Hey, that rhymes! Lyric for ya, maybe?

Take care and hope lots of good things come your way in 2007.

Alan

Dennis,

Oh yeah, I very well remember Bill Anderson doing "Still". Ole Whisperin' Bill and the Po' Boys! Bill can tell some real good stories about when i first arrived in Nashville. He and Roger Miller shared an anpartment. Some of the stories I've heard him tell will make ya laugh for a long, long time!

Isn't it amazing how a broken heart can arouse so many emotions! And, I think we all wish we could write with as much talent as Bill Anderson.

Take care and keep writing! 2007 might be your best year, yet!

Alan

John (Gas Man),

Your last line pretty much says all that is important..."At any rate, it is fun." Glad to hear you are enjoying the process.

Would love to hear/see that poem you did, if you can recall it and would be willing to share. Anytime you can write something that is effectively innspirational to others, you have accomplished a great achievement. My hat is off to you!

Hope 2007 moves your lyrical skills further down the road.

Alan

Vanessa,

Nice words of encouragement! As I said before, I think you sometimes underestimate the signifigance your contributions to the JPF family. We enjoy having you around! We are the beneficiaries of your presence.

I am thrilled that you are enjoying these threads. Open ended questions allow each respondent the opportunity and freedom to answer in a way that is comfortable for them. They may see as little or as much as they choose...and in any manner they choose to do so. Again, thanks for participating!

Alan

Pete!

Tyhanks for giving us your story. So, it all started by you helping someone else, eh? So, you are a purveyor of magnaminity. Not at all a bad trait!

I think you write much better than you give you yourself credit for (yeah, yeah, I know...for which you give yourself credit!). And, I think you are one of the sharper critiquers on the boards. I always enjoy your honest but constructive crits. And you great sense of humor goes a long way, too!

Here's looking forward to bigger and better things in 2007!

Alan

swainja, TINK, Kaley, and others to whom I have not yet replied...

Will get back to ya later tonight or tomorrow. I haven't forgotten ya!

Alan

Because I had to have some form of expressing myself. I found myself in sort of a rut at work, raised kids and then found myself going through the change and about to be an empty nester. Instead of grieving at the thought of growing older, I celebrated my new found freedoms. Freedom to sit and think. Freedom to articulate how I was feeling. Freedom from hearing somebody say, "Mom! What's there to eat around here."

It was a nice trade off.

Hi Alan,

Once upon a time
A long long time ago,
There was a little girl,
And poems she did know.
She'd write them down on paper,
She'd write them in her mind,
She then created greeting cards,
Typical of Hallmark kind.

And whether for better or whether for worse,
Everything she saw in life, she seemed to see in verse.
She couldn't stop rhyming, she couldn't stop writing.
It was almost like breathing, and it was all so exciting.

Then just about a year ago, she had an epiphany,
A song fairy showed up one nite so unexpectedly.
She gave her a piece of a song, but didn't give her the rest,
So the little girl who now is grown finished the song and with zest.

So now when I am cooking, cleaning or driving,
Just doing my daily thing,
The fairy shows up with a piece of a puzzle,
That shines like a diamond ring.

I then take this treasure and hence do my part,
I must finish the rest of the song,
It's my mission, my passion, my duty, my love,
And that's how they all come along! (honest!)

Best,
Lynn
P.S. The good news is also that melodies are coming my way, not nearly as generously but some are coming. This is all so weird and wonderful!

Vanessa,
Thank you for the encouragement. Do not fear for I make a joyful noise. As a rule it's not pleasant to others. I can live with that and I surely will someday learn a bit of something.
John

Alan,
Maybe I shouldn't share this because some would say it is politically incorrect. But I will because it's about real discrimination that is never mentioned. It does not discount any other discrimination in any way.

"Because I'm Black"
©JRHoffman04

The proclamation made it clear
that all should come to stand and cheer.
A man from Selma's come to call.
I never have been there at all.
The story I know word for word,
the way things were I've often heard.
I myself have been cast out
by those who proudly mope and pout.
Now here's a man of wealth and fame,
calls out to me despite my shame.

Slinging spittle left and right
he shakes his fists with all his might.
Above a rail behind a hedge,
beneath a roof, he makes a pledge
to recompense me for my pain,
to get for me what I cannot gain.
Thunder booms across the land
and lightning flashes when he waves his hand.
Who is this earthly preacher man,
consoling me from the band's man's stand?

I count my blessings every day,
thank my Lord and say amen.
For He has priviledged me
as He has every soul.
And granted me advantages
tailored to His goal.
So might the preacher tell me yet
why the clouds have soaked me wet?
"I say," the Reverend bellows back,
"my child it is because you're black!"

At least several friends of mine who grew up black in the south seem to feel this way. I realize there are plenty of other angles. I probably shouldn't have shared that but it did feel good to give someone a voice.
John

Alan,
I should add. I recited that to a songwriter who happens to live on my block. He said that's pretty good maybe you should stick to poetry and I took that as something of a challenge.
John

Wow John, that's some really powerful writing. I knew how it was going to end because I saw the title. Almost wish I hadn't. That last line packs a huge punch and would have given me a nice case of Goosebumps had I not read the title of your poem.

At any rate, I'm sure you earned an A for the elective class you were in at the time, right? Even if you didn't garner an A, I'd venture to guess you actually gained a whole lot more from the entire experience, no matter the grade for the class.

Thank you for sharing and even though the subject matter is edgy, I absolutely LOVED reading it. Honesty in its rawest form is not only rare, but terribly exciting, in my opinion. The world needs more of it!

Tink