JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Creative Challenge Forum Challenge: Write Lyrics to a Melody

All righty then, you asked for it, and I'm a loose cannon, so here goes.

This is a challenge for lyricists: write a lyric to an existing melody. I invite other recording composers to go ahead and post their own offerings...and this could get messy...but here's what I will offer up: I'm posting this instrumental I did that has the guitar "singing" the melody, with a working title of "Christmas Classic" (but you can re-title it to anything you like) :

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7420553

The challenge is to write a lyric, AABA structure, that matches the melody played by the guitar. Post your lyric here, and if I feel it can be done, I will sing it and re-post it.

See how messy this could get? Especially if other composers jump in and don't especially want to do that part also? But what the heck. Life is short and messy. So here are my provisos, caveats, and weasel-speak:

-I'll guarantee singing three of them...but after that, no promises. (I really don't know if I can sing a dozen different versions without going crazy.)

-I won't necessarily do this on a first-come-first-served basis...I'd like a little leeway there. So those who post a lyric need to come into this with thick skin and not feel bad if I don't sing your lyric...it won't be personal. Still, I will guarantee at least three versions. I'm not planning on just doing "the best" either...I plan to be pretty random about it. I just don't want to sing 19 versions.

-The idea is to challenge yourself to write to an existing melody, not to go forward to a publisher with a collab. So this is something that begins and ends here, an exercise, just to stretch ourselves. (So if you take my music, make it famous with your lyrics, and I suddenly get royalty checks in the mail...I will be so mad! )

-It can be about anything...I know I put "Christmas" in the title, but don't let that sway you...write about anything that works for you.

-I could probably write out a template with "la dee da dee das" for the melody...but I think it would be much better to have you listen to the melody and figure out the meter that way. That's part of the challenge.

So...go for it! And any other recording composers who feel up to this kind of madness, feel free to join in on this thread. I have consulted no one...just being impulsive and foolish.

Have at it!

You're a Very Cool Guy !

That's because of the chilly Minnesota air. Unfortunately, I'm a dork.


Hey, I just thought of something else. If anyone would rather sing it themselves, that's totally fine too. If you have digital recording capabilities, just download the MP3, record a vocal track along with it, mix it down and post it up for us.

What happens if you or some other melody poster likes what a lyricist may submit. Does the completed song have a chance to go beyond the "exercise" stage and become a possible official collaboration if both parties are interested??? By the way, nice instrumental.

can we write lyrics to a existing TOP 40 HIT OR classic?

cause thats sort of a fun hobby I have and I just wrote lyrics to the tune of "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot...I just love him and that song......the lyrics themselves are about a songwriter who never makes it but passes down great childhood memories to his kids of their time with him as he sang to them......

Tom

It will, I have no doubt about that

Well done for posting

Hi Lynn!

If two consenting parties want to do something with intellectual property that belongs solely to the two of them, they can do whatever they like.

As far as the music I posted, I'd like to minimize that expectation and just focus on the exercise...you know, the music, not the potential fortune and fame.

Sure Tom, post away!

But keep in mind, that's a little easier than hearing a melody that has never had words attached to it and creating the words and phrases that will match it. Gordon Lightfoot already blazed the trail on that melody, and it makes it much easier to replace words, rather than imagine the appropriate sounds from scratch. But I agree, that's a great exercise, and we'll all be able to imagine how it goes. Post it man! (But I ain't singin' that one too. )

Thanks Nige! If we get a little mess on the carpet, we'll just clean it up the best we can.

Little reading on Craig's thought on marrying lyrics to music: http://ninetymilewind.blogspot.com/2008/09/marriage-in-meter.html -- Might be interesting here.

Kevin

What a great little article!

And I couldn't agree with this more: "Beethoven wrote his Ninth in the rhythm : "dit dit dit DAH. dit dit dit DAH." Not "dit dit dit DAH, dit di-dit dit DA-DAH"."

...well, I suppose I could say it was Beethoven's 5th, not the 9th. But still, his point is one that I constantly wrestle with, and often gripe about with lyricists. I'll say "Your Line 1 of Verse 1 is slightly different than your Line 1 of Verse 2"...and the lyricist often says, "Yes, but it works better that way, so the singer will have to make it work through phrasing." To which I usually say, "You're lazy."

ok Mark-here goes

and you-or anyone else-please feel free to tell me how far off I am from Gordons melody in meter or whatever -or if you think I just missed completely-say that too....this is fun since it isnt for commercial purposes anyway

Passin Through Time-by Tom Yeager
written to the melody of Gordon Lightfoot's
"Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald"


Verse 1

I'm passing through time and I'm trying to rhyme
But it seems that my words seldom matter
A songwriter's lot is to be long forgot in
reflections of those that will sing them.
But still we press on from our nights till our dawn
in lives spent far from the spotlights

Verse 2

Unknown that we are in our minds we are stars
discovered some day for our greatness.
When that day is marked and our names finally harked
its in eulogies known for their lateness
So come sit with me by a fire or a tree that you shall know
what it is to live in the shadows

Chorus

Dont quit your day job said the large angry mob
composed of our families and lovers
Do music part time-and let others search for that rhyme
while your band gigs with Top 40 Covers

Bridge

As my 20's went by I would just shrug and I'd sigh
So what if I'm a late bloomer
In my 40s I saw my star lost to Murphys Law
As life often got in the way of my music

Verse 3

So down to my children will pass chords and lyrics amassed
In a lifetime that passed while trying to write that big one
And my legacy will be fires and trees where I sat and sang in their childhood
The lesson they have from their dearest old dad -tis better to see stars than be one

Allright Mark,

I like the excercise, so here's one. Tried to write it as I listened to the track, but I don't know..

© 2009 Magne Kolstad / The Songcabinet

Christmas eve on ice

Now it’s the time of year
They put up the skating course, dear
For all of us to know
Would you go?
We’re the perfect couple
Two cold hearts

Let’s spend our Christmas eve on ice
Forget the other guys
They will melt your icy heart
Just don’t let’em

Cause we’ve been together for some time
And I’ve become used to that you’re mine
Even though
You’re so cold
We’ve become a pair
The chill we share

So let’s spend our Christmas eve on ice
Forget the other guys
They will melt your icy heart
Just don’t let’em

Just Skating
Skating along with you
Just skating
We glide along
Forget about our bubbles
We’re skating
Don’t wait for the sunshine to glow
Let’s stay here and wait for the moon

Let’s spend our Christmas eve on ice tonight
It’s the perfect gift for me

I don’t deserve better
I’ve been a no good fool
Throwing all my love away
So now that I’ve found you
I’ve finally got what I deserve

And now it’s the time of year
They put up the skating course, dear
For all of us to know
Would you go?
We’re the perfect couple
Two cold hearts

Let’s spend our Christmas eve on ice
Forget the other guys
They will melt your icy heart
Just don’t let’em

Cause I need you to be blue

Hi Mark ----- here's what came to me for this....... if I get a chance I'll work on singing it for you........

Morning Comes © 2009 joice marie

Come here close to me
and wrap your arms around my waist and
dance so free
kiss me while the music plays
in the summer breeze
We'll dance until, the Morning Comes

And when the band stops
we'll keep swaying
I know what your eyes are saying
And we'll love until, the Morning Comes

Only for one night
We have this time together and how the
crystal lights
shine like diamonds in your eyes
soft and bright
they know what's in my heart

Two lovers for a day
dreamers playing
to someday steal away, we're praying
but tonight we'll love, until the Morning Comes

music break

Come here close to me
and wrap your arms around my waist and
dance so free
kiss me while the music plays
in the summer breeze
We'll dance until, the Morning Comes

Two lovers for a day
dreamers playing
to someday steal away, we're praying
tonight we'll love, until the Morning Comes

Just popping in quick...I'm on spring cleaning duty today and am NOT in command...

Cool lyrics! Joice, I hear yours clear as a bell, let me sing to you...Magne, I love your story, but try as I may, I can't make it fit the melody as played.

Im cool with it, Mark. No worries! I accept the premise you've laid out, and won't push you :-)

Totally new concept for me. I've always wanted to write words to someone's music, but never felt comfortable enough to try.

I'm not even sure if I've approached it correctly, but here's what came to me. Hope you're able to make it work somehow. Thanks, Mark, for challenging us!

THE WORD
Copyright 2009 Greg C. Brown

There's something inside of me
Struggling so hard to set itself free.
A word that longs to be heard again.
But never will be.
It never will be.

I said it once way back when...
Guess my heart wasn't jaded back then.
It sprang from my tongue when I was young;
I'll never say it again.
Say it again.

My mind drifts back
To an October night
Where a cool autumn wind
Seemed to move the stars.
Nights by the fire
Still etched in my mind.
The embers burned out
As I committed my heart.

Nothing's forever, I admit,
And I've never been one to just quit.
Maybe in time, if I'm lucky I'll find
The word still fits.
I doubt it still fits...'cause

My mind drifts back
To an October night
Where a cool autumn wind
Seemed to move the stars.
Nights by the fire
Still etched in my mind.
The embers burned out
As I committed my heart.

Hey Mark,

This is a cool idea...never done it in my life, but would like to give it a try. BUT, I'm finding it hard to stay on top of the music while I'm thinking/writing, etc..... Is this a melody you just have in your head, or do you have any music written out for it? If so, it would make it a lot easier for me to tie it up in a nice bow for you if you made it available ....

If not, I'll just do the best I can.... or maybe if I can't do it without that, I shouldn't try?

Regardless, very pretty music, and thanks for offering this up...

Beth

EDIT: I'm just looking back at the other entries, to get a sense of some of the formats that could work... and I had the exact same reaction to Joice's lyrics!! Neat-o!

Yep on Joice
I wonder if she gives lessons<G>
Wy

A Classic Christmas Eve
(c)2009 words by Mike Dunbar

Snowman's on the lawn,
Waving to neighbors
As they drive back from the mall
With the presents they'll put under the tree

A Classic Christmas Eve


The reindeer's on the roof all lit up
They were such a pain to get up
They might not come down
Til spring

Pine needles on the rug
Don't walk in barefeet
Come and give your man a hug
Cause you sure are lookin' so sweet tonight

A Classic Christmas Eve

The fireplace sure looks fine it's smokin'
I hope I left the damper open
Say let's open up more wine


Quick come to the window I think Santa's here
And he brought me all your goodies for tonight
Extra milk and cookies for the job he did
Cause your stockings are filled just right

Here under the tree
Let's start unwrapping
Cause it's now just you and me
the kids are napping
And they're dreaming through the night

A Classic Christmas Eve

So my first gift to you is a sweet kiss
As I wish you Merry Christmas

On this Classic Christmas Eve



Mark, don't put mine in the contest, since I'm a mentor I'm not sure it's kosher (hey, there's a song...a Kosher Christmas!) But if you send me a tracks with and without your guitar I'll put a vocal on it. Dreamy, sensual, sophisticated, whimsical and classy music.

COOL guy

okay --- I may still Try one too --- but I'll wait ......

Hi Wy & Beth -- thanks

Love ALL the lyrics...for those looking for the "template", both Joice and Mike have it matched to the melody very well...hint hint...

Sorry I don't have the melody written, Beth...get that melody stuck in your head. Music! Music!

There's no WAY I'm just singing three. Mike, I'll promise to send you this stuff, maybe even faster than "Downloading Merle"...but I NEED to try that. How did you know...

Is Mel Torme still around somewhere?

Got a chance to do one while the girls were watching Saturday Night Live...here's hoping we don't hear Weekend Update or "I'm On A Boat" in the background.

Mike Dunbar may be a Mentor, but that doesn't mean he doesn't count.

A Classic Christmas Eve

More! More! Lots of different ways to do this.

Super nice Mike & Mark! I absolutley LOVE this kind of music! I even gave it 5 stars on Soundclick! Now, there's something you can use to enhance your musical resume'!

I loved it!!!!!

Alan

Mark,
were I not so slow witted I would jump right in there. That's a purty tune. Heck I may do it without bothering to post. Thanks for the challenge.

what fun,
John

Hi Mark & Mike

THat sounds Great ! -- I never got a Christmas vibe from the music, but Now there it IS

Wow, Harry Connick Kaufman! Great work, Mark.

Thanks!

Now let's keep remembering the point of this challenge, which is to write a lyric to a melody--which involves a lot of active, analytical listening. Now you can hear one version, maybe that will make it easier. This particular piece of music actually offers a good deal of leeway, melodically...so even though I've been encouraging a sense of uniformity to lyrics, well, here's a song I can pretty easily fudge away. I'll sing some more Tuesday, maybe earlier if I can break away from responsibility for a bit, and I think you'll find there are a couple different ways to do it.

Also, I realized that those of you who want to sing this yourselves could probably use a track without the guitar, so I'll post one of those soon...and if you want, I could pitch shift yet another version to better accommodate a woman's voice.

But for now, gotta make some pizzas.

I just thought about what drives different people to write, and I think a lot of lyricists tend to start with the idea, then the stuff.

Composers often start with "the stuff", then figure out the idea later, and hone it into something that makes sense.

We search for words and phrases that "sound right" when sung to the music...and then we build the idea out from that. Like the first line of this song, you might find yourself trying to "find" that sound, and you suddenly sing, I don't know, "Cherries in the sun." You have no idea why, but you like the sound...cherries in the sun...hmmm...and it ends up evolving into a song about two lovers who split up during a romantic picnic, or something. Writing the lyrics is often a blind journey...you don't know where you're going until you get there.

It's "backwards" from the way many lyricists approach a new piece, I know...

I feel soooo inadequate! This is definitely a lot harder than it seems, but maybe only because I've never tried it before. I think I followed the first five or so melody notes, then just started free wheelin'.

Nice job, Joice and Mike! I wonder if it's a tad easier for someone to do this who already has an ear for music, someone who already plays and composes music anyway. Not making excuses, just theorizing.

Mark, even though this is just an exercise and may or may not lead to a full fledged collaboration, I think your instrumental stands nicely on its own. It's a really pretty piece of music that evokes wonderfully vivid images. I enjoyed listening to it.

Greg

This is absolutely correct, Greg. There are plenty of us on this board who are well aware that you are an EXCELLENT lyricist, so don't lose sight of your own talent! This is just a completely different way to approach the process.

From my standpoint, I'm always confused by the idea of writing lyrics without music. It took me a long time to realize that music didn't have to be there first. Maybe Tom Yeager has the right idea to exercise that part of the mind: rewrite the lyrics to a popular song you know by heart.

Then post it and don't tell anyone.

Hi Mark,

Well here's my take on it. I have kept the Christmas theme, and the effort is below.Thanks for putting this challenge up.

Cheers

Alan

Christmas Eve (I've You) (Lyrics by A Foran, 2009)

Snow's falling outside
It doesn't matter 'cos I'm here with you tonight
By the light of a fire that's burning bright
I'm keeping close to you

There's nothing else I need to wish for
Santa dear don't knock at this door
'Cos this Christmas Eve I've you

Carols soft and low
My arms around you as we watch the fire glow
We don't have any other place to go
It's only me and you

Each Christmas you would find me dreaming
But this year has special meaning
'Cos this Christmas Eve I've you

Piano Inst

Bridge
Christmas Eve is when all of the magic starts
With the presents underneath the Christmas tree
Reindeer will be flying cross the frozen sky
But the only present I want here with me
Tonight...

Snow's falling outside
It doesn't matter 'cos I'm here with you tonight
By the light of a fire that's burning bright
I'm keeping close to you

And there's nothing else I need to wish for
Santa dear don't knock at this door
'Cos this Christmas Eve I've you

Right in the pocket, Spidey!

Remember folks, it doesn't HAVE to be about Christmas either. (I know you knew, Spidey...so now you know I know you knew.) I'll also be more than happy to sing about snapping turtles, vacuum cleaner bags, achy breaky hearts, throat lozenges...bring it on.

Thanks Mark, knew it didn't have to be about Christmas, tried a few ideas but then, just the feel I got from the piece, the jazzy style then snow and fires came to mind...anyway

Cheers

Alan

A STRANGE FORM OF ART
© words by C. Stewart April 16, 2009
`````````````````````````````````````
Wonder where you are
And why you stole the car from me the other night
I'd like to put my hands around your neck so tight
And then start squeezing

I'll take my keys out of your pocket
And rip the eyeballs from your socket
When I get my hands on you

I've looked here and there
Even got the dogs of doom hot upon your trail
Can't wait to drop your body down the wishing well
It will be pleasing

I'll take my keys out of your pocket
And rip the eyeballs from your socket
When I get my hands on you

PIANO inst....

BRIDGE....
STOMPIMG ON MY HEART WAS A STRANGE FORM OF ART
A MASTERPIECE OF WORK THAT FELL APART
NOW YOUR TIME IS UP, BECAUSE I PUT YOU DOWN, DOWN

I know where you are
Because you stole the car from me the other night
That's why I put my hands around your neck so tight
And then start squeezing

I took my keys out of your pocket
Ripped the eyeballs from your socket
Finally got my hands on you

CALVIN!!! OMG!!! What a RIOT!!! I can just hear Mark Connick Jr. singing it! I love this place!

Ricki

Tom, these lyrics are BE-U-TIFUL !!!

Applause from the audience!! I loved it!!! Mark I loved the Connick interpretation w/Mike's lyrics. Mike's lyrics had that hint of humor and were so perfectly conversational and you were able to carry it the way it was intended. I'm impressed!!!! Another reason why I love JPF. I enjoyed this thoroughly!!!

This really makes me want to try something here just so I can stretch the lyrical muscles since I usually write lyrics first and this is a good exercise. And also to be honest I just have to hear Mark do his "Connick" style again. I'll see........

Who is this "Connick" of whom you speak?

And that Calvin Stewart lyric...I disapprove. Very bad, very naughty, very shameful. It's wrong on every level.

Can't wait to sing it!

More, more!

Okay, here is a backing track you can sing along to...

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7533760

And here is another one pitched more appropriately to a woman's voice:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7533775

Have fun!

Hi Mark,

I'm thrilled, sounds fun !


ps.......hi Ricki, thanks.

Calvin

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Hi Mark,

I rolled up the sleeves and got to work last nite and think I have something that fits. After singing it to myself I think it is best served w/a female vocal so I asked Wendy to become part of our festivities here since her voice would be perfect given the melancholy mood of the lyric written, and she said YES! Thank you Wendy and thank you Mark for writing a memorable melody that makes someone want to write a lyric for. Also the lyric seems like it is written from a female POV so I wanted it to come off the way it should (not that I wouldn't have loved to hear your Connick/Tony Bennett interpretation). You are more than welcome to sing it as well if you'd like.

Anyway....Wendy needs a little time since she is very busy but she will participate. Stay tuned to this channel...can't wait!!!

Best,
Lynn

Sweet! Hope you looked a few posts behind, I posted another backing track that ought to work just right for Wendy.

And Wendy, exercise full freedom to take the melody in any direction you like---no permission necessary. Have fun!

thanks very much Randy

glad there was alot you liked about that lyric.......if you feel it has stand alone potential-you are most welcome to improve upon it however you like.......would like to see your ideas for it

Tom

Okay Mark.....I gave this my best shot--sort of. Since I figured this was a new process for me, I'd try a new lyrical genre too: namely "Obnoxious Male" !!

I'm not sure I pulled it off or not (either conceptually or in matching it to the melody ), but it sure was cathartic!! So thanks for the opportunity and your patience!!

Cheers,
Beth


“Judgment Call"
Ó 2009 Lyrics Beth Williams, BMI

Some ask who am I
To say what’s right and wrong but
I cannot deny
My opinion’s strong
And ego isn’t small
Often make a judgment call

Politically correct
Is boring,
Be polite and I am snoring
I’m my favorite subject

Dad might be to blame
He always said to me there’s no reason
To be ashamed
Of speaking your mind
And I feel the same
Let the nice guys fall behind

I haven’t many friends
True, the knife cuts
Both ways, no ifs ands or buts
A small price for every judgment call

Music break

Sometimes the truth hurts, but it’s better
Than getting a Dear John letter
You must understand
That this man doesn’t date
Gals who look like Irish setters

And didn’t daddy say
It wasn’t my fault the
Alleged good ones got away
If they’d been worth their salt
I would’ve made ‘em stay
Instead I made a judgment call

So me myself and I
We’re hanging
Soon some silly girl I’ll be banging
Just let me make a judgment call

Hey Beth, you matched the melody real well! I'm dog tired tonight after dealing with a lot of stuff, but I'll see if I can sing at least two tomorrow, and more on Wednesday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are good. Now, off to hear your Wendy song!

Hey Mark,

Well, how do you like them apples?!

ALTHOUGH....if truth be told...I think I cheated: for the final tweaking, I listened to your version of Mike's lyric, and tried to match up the phrasing :o . When I was looking at the stand-alone lyrics, I was cool up until the musical break....then I got lost....so started working backwards from the end...BOY, I just do not know how you kids do it.

Thank goodness I'm just a blabbermouth who does lyrics!

And hey, no worries about actually singing it....it was a really good exercise for me...and that was reward itself.

So thank you, relax, have some pizza, and enjoy your day!

Ciao for now,
Beth

Here's Joice Marie's "Morning Comes":

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7537460

Whoops, forgot the bridge, so I went instrumental there.

HI MARK ---- You'Re HoT

awesome job !!! I love it -- thought you might disqualify me 'cause I wanted a piano then guitar solo

Thank You Thank You ----Hot ~Cool ~ Guy

jm