Karaoke Forums

I don't consciously experience a desire to write songs, but once every couple of months I will wake up in the morning half-way, or be going almost to sleep, and hear an original melody in my head, sometimes with words. I always swear I'll remember it, but never do.

Does this happen to songwriters? A few years ago Madonna said in an interview she heard melodies when she'd be going to the restroom. Does this happen to you (melodies in your head)?

I dont know how to write "music" but I've written lots of LYRIC sets. Ive even taken 5 of them and set them to obscure karaoke tracs, recorded and remixed them and put them up on the Singer's Showcase. I've started working with a person who does the arrangement part. I can come up with a basic genre and something resembling a sort of melody--more of a time signature or beat and she then can work from that--I specifiy if its a blues, swing, jazz or other type genre. Or tell her I dont know what to do with this one--then she just works on it.
As far as the subject matter--it usually occurs when Im driving around, and I'll just jot down a random thoght or idea then make up rymes to fit around the idea until I get a set of lyrics---that actually tell a story from start to finish. And that's how it happens.

But if anyone would like to Collaborate and do arrangments email me.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Try keeping a portable recorder with you and sing/hum the melody into the recorder or recite the lyrics. Even though you think you'll remember them - you won't (I know, I've done the same thing).

A portable recorder (tape, digital, etc) can be a big help when trying to track thoughts like this. You could always write down the lyrics as well or the melody if you can write music.

Kurt, you sound pretty dang gifted. I've pondered lyrics, wondering how and why people got it so right; how'd they think of this and that "just right" word? I wonder if it was hard for them or did it just come to them perfectly like that. Like "Traveling Soldier"...all the words fit together so perfectly, I wonder if it took them forever to write it.

And Ed, great idea! So great.....I should do that. Then I'd have a real record of the melodies, and it wouldn't seem like something that only exists in my dreams. Ed, you've had the twilite time inspirations too, or only when you were awake?

That reminds me; the ultimate songwriter to me who writes so piercingly even tho the meaning seems so shrouded in mystery, is Stevie Nicks. I'm sure there are others that write like that, but can't think of 'em right now. I'd love to write lyrics like that that drive listeners nuts trying to figger out what I'm trying to say, yet affects them deeply with some sort of unconscious meaning.

(Replying to tigger's original post:)

Tigger yes indeed!
I'm actually stunned this came up! Considering the site and all! WOW!

I keep a notebook and pen by my nightstand just for that porpose.
also when I travel my PDA goes with me everywhere just incase I get an idea even in an meeting complete with melodies.. I usually can usually plan out the melodies by chords off the top of my head even after I have written the hooks and verses. as I usually will write the ideas ijn just major or minors and sometimes add the chords I know I already want If I have the time to plan this out without instruments.. then go fix it or finish it in the studio, or at home.

Sometimes I can do a complete song in mere hours or weeks depending on how complex the song is.... or how messed up I am. I have songs totally not work out at all... "Too Many Cooks Syndrome".

If you have an Idea.. Work with another educated musician, Lyricists, get hired too by labels in music industry cities... Usually as staff writers first, but they also should know how to play an instrument well and have a degree in music.

Tigger if you have a song idea SURE!! Write it down!!!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Interesting question- glad to see I'm not the only one out here that has that happen. I have- many times- had lyrics, or lyrics & melody- run through my head & think "Hey, that could turn out okay"....... just to try to recall it later & it be totally gone- idea and all.

You're probably the same in this- the songs I write are usually spurred by things that have happened, or things weighing on my mind- dang, my hubby's made me write some funny "I'm leavin' ya" songs, as well as some heartbreak songs- just cause we've been in a fight. And he doesn't even know it. That's just how my emotions come outta me.

But I finally started making myself atleast write the lyrics down immediately. I have written them on the back cover of a book I'm reading, an old mail envelope in my truck, my address book in my purse-anything handy just so I can recall them later. Cause they do seem to hit at wierd times. And I don't always have my guitar slung on my back to get it down right away, . If possible at all- yes even at bed time on occasion- I'll go get my guitar and atleast get part of it down. My husabnd things I'm nutty. If he sees me off in private with my guitar, he'll usually say "Are you writing another song...." Unless, of course, it was spurred by a fight and we're not talking, haha.

Neat question- it was interesting to read everyones comments on here.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

In my case.. You never know if the next effort is going to end up on somebody else's cd or your own or even in catalog... in your case.. it just might open a door for you.. if you connect up with the "Right" person...

See ya in another thread...

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Twilight inspirations or only when awake? I've had inspiration strike me at all times of the day and night. Sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night and go get a drink only to have a solution come to me. As for songwriting though, I prefer creating parody and derivative works. The hard part's been done (the music) I just have to humor-ize the original lyrics (see my Ghostbuster's lyrics parody for webguru in another post) or use it as part of a new product (think loop-based recording and sampling). My musical taste are so varied it's hard for me to think of something that's completely new....

I have been writing for years. You will not remember them on a rare occassion you may but its rare. I always try to carry a sound recorder with me in my car especially. Also if you have a cell phone and a house phone like I do sometimes if I am somewhere where I can't write I will leave the song lyrics I have in my head on my answering machine. In a resturant napkins are always useful. If you can't write music almost any recording studio with have a musician that will do it for the right price which is usually 300.00 per song and sometimes its even required to share your royalties if there are ever any 50/50 which I don't think thats asking to much!


-Jilly

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Believe in yourself or no one else will!

While I am no songwriter, I am a writer, and yes, I try to right down the snipets I remember from dreams and thoughts I have when I sleep!

I can't believe it - I woke up with a tune this morning. I felt very silly but I went and sang it into my Kristal recorder on the computer. It prolly happened so soon again cuz I was aware of it. Next time hopefully there'll be words.

Anyone ever wonder, where do these tunes come from, esp. ones right when you wake up?

You hear them in your sleep. They're actually stolen from the songwriters around you who are working on new tunes... don't you remember that Patridge Family episode where Danny stole a song from his brother?

er, uh... I saw it on Nick at Night! I swear I'm not that old! I saw it at a friends house who watches it! I have better taste than that!

The Best songwriting ideas.. are the ones that hang with ya for a few days... because it really gives ya a chance to "fine tune" them. PersonallyI have only had 2 of those songs.. and ya know what I have yet to even record those 2 yet...

But I have them well written and ready to go... I can say this I personally feel (Biased statement coming ) they are the best I have written to date.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

You know, that's what I'm afraid of...what if I have a tune going on in my head and I have heard it somewhere else, but don't remember? I have the most vivid dreams where I write songs, pages in a book and even sing! And when I sing it's sooooooooooo much better than I do in real life.

And yeah, I do remember that episode too, but I'll admit I saw it on the original series! !!

Miss Milo,
That's not really what I was discussing... I meant something very original as far as a hook... and melody... they are rare... but really do happen.
It's usually a derivitive of something I played earlier in the day while in rehersal just messing around and somehow I twisted it into something usable.

Kinda like dreaming in Technacolor...except more brilliant than surround sound in digital...

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Brian D.
(BHB)

sigh........i was talking to karaokemeister...i'll try and be more clear next time...

Yeppers... that's why I fully support USC Title 17's permission to create parody and derivative works. It keeps me out of trouble.

! ooops..this is to karaokemeister also...have you heard Weird Al's 'e-bay'? I'd like to hear your parodies ... going now to look for the one you were talking about earlier....

I fully support Parodys too as long as they are done with the "knowledge" of the original songwriter.. "Fair use" applies here.

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Brian D.
(BHB)