Songwriting - No Particular Method

by Phyness
(St. Lucia)

There is no particular method I follow when songwriting. Most people share the opinion that the chorus should be created prior to the verses when writing a song. I sometimes start off by writing a verse and sometimes even a bridge.

When something comes naturally there should be no order in which it's done and for me that something is songwriting. If I were to apply directions to it, the outcome would be affected most likely negatively.

Feelings, phrases or my surroundings are some of my inspiration for songwriting. For example: "tired feet"

You could tell she'd been through it all
By the look in her face
No one ever heard her calls
As she roamed place to place
The gravel on the ground
Bruised her out and in
Tears flowed with no sound
Looking down at her tired feet.

What you just read could be either a verse, chorus or even a bridge of a song. Also the phrase could've been at the beginning, middle or end of it.

In the case where I am presented with music to write to, I allow the chords/notes to speak to my emotions. A fast tempo doesn't always trigger happy feelings. It also triggers negative feelings, for instance in heavy metal. They normally express anger and pain.

Relaxation, an open mind and my imagination are the two components I allow to take control when I write not just songs but poems as well.