How to transition from poetry to song-writing?

I've written poetry since I was nine, and I would say I'm pretty good at it. I also really like music, and I can create simple melodies that I hum to myself. But whenever I try to write a song, my attempts fall flat, and I don't understand why. I'm good at rhyming and metering and I've written poetry before that, with a tune, could be turned into a song, but when I actually set out to write a song, not a poem, I am disappointed with the results. Is this common? And how do I fix this? How can I transition from poetry to song-writing, even though they are similar?

Answer

You have answers about the differences between poems and lyrics. I will focus on the how. What techniques can you use to make this transition?

I wrote a lot of song lyrics when I was in high school and the best advice I got was to write down lyrics of commercial songs I liked. I'm a lot older than you: there was no internet, there was no way to look up lyrics, and only about 1/3 of record album liner notes included lyrics (at least records were big so there was space to do it).

I'm going to give you the same advice but I'll warn you, don't just look up the lyrics on the internet then cut and paste. You need to feel the lyrics. Not just as part of a song, but the written words on the page. Listen to the song, pause, rewind, listen again. Write them down with a pen or pencil on paper. Or type them in to a computer. As long as you're feeling it where you write.

Figure out what the singer is saying and make guesses about how to break up lines and stanzas. Which part is the chorus (usually it's obvious, sometimes, not so much)? Write down the actual words, even if it's the same one 10 times.

When you're done, you can check it against a published source. Keeping in mind that a lot of lyrics on the internet are wrong. Or truncated. Also, if there's a difference between the official lyric and what the singer says, go with the latter.

Repeat the process for at least a dozen songs, preferably in the style you want to write in. In most cases, the words that move you deeply are simple and repetitive. You already know that's going to be the case. But you need to create it with your hands and feel it in your fingers.

Now start writing. Or take something you've already written and strip it down then build it up again.

What is central to your theme or message? Turn it into a chorus. You can change the words each time but they should be similar. Use the verses to tell a story. Or lay out a description. Or create a manifesto. Take a break after each verse to sing that chorus again, to let the words of the verse sink in.

Sing as you write. Or at least after your first draft. It doesn't matter if the melody is the one the song will go to. Make sure it's singable. The sound of the words is more important than the meaning.

Another technique is to write down ideas first, then sit down at the piano, guitar, or just on the couch, and sing it. Pull apart the words and use what works. You can start with a poem and sing that. Break it open and use lines, phrases, or single words that fit the song.

Does the poem (or unformed idea) have a story? Find the major touch points and make each one a verse. The chorus is the message or even the ending of the story. For example, if the poem is about the end of a relationship, the chorus might be about the breakup and the verses about meeting, the first sparks, deepening love, then the crisis you could not overcome. Your story can be about politics, friendship, the drudgery of schoolwork, or anything you want. Tell it simply and sing it loud.