so I've been doing that thing where I sit down and try to write lyrics and I realized

[theophile]

that there are number of very specific lyrical gambits that almost always delight me.

Comments

[cataptromancer]

So you're going to write a super-song that includes all those elements?

I think one of my first moments at actual critical analysis was when I sat down in 9th grade and tried to figure out the recipe for U2 songs (in order to then write a series of embarrassingly shameless ripoffs). I think the first thing on the list was "Biblical references." I remember thinking, "hey, yeah, that's definitely going on a lot. Weird."

[theophile]

I noticed that setting things on fire is a recurring theme in most of the lyrics I've written in my life, actually, which is what ended up prompting this line of thinking.

also, I did the same thing you describe, but with Nine Inch Nails lyrics, at one point. I think I have a tape somewhere of the results, but I am hoping that is not the case. and that I will never again have to endure the consequences of my realization that "well, pretty much, every song is how Trent expects something to be good but it turns out to be shitty."

[cataptromancer]

Yes! "I thought X, but Y" is the key NIN structure. For the first albums, it was "I thought you X, but Y." Then in the Downward Spiral it started to become more like "I thought I X, but Y." And now it's something more like "I thought the world/record industry X, but Y."

[theophile]

that is possibly the best analysis of Trent's lyrical technique I've ever seen. my addendum for the Fragile, though, is "I thought it all X, but Y."

like the 4th of july

[lapsedmodernist]

I noticed that setting things on fire is a recurring theme in most of the lyrics I've written in my life

not only that you've written, but also that you like! (as you know I approve of and share the lyrical pyromania).

everyone has a little secret he keeps
I light the fires while the city sleeps

Re: like the 4th of july

[theophile]

I see fire, brought by the winds of change:
a new crop, fresh from the soil.
I'm all wired, fired up for better days.
we'll see stars through the smokescreen once more.

burn. burn, Babylon, burn.

also:

sometimes I think I could...
BURN.

Re: like the 4th of july

[cataptromancer]

und wenn die Stadt brennt
Ja, es sind uns're Fackeln

Re: like the 4th of july

[theophile]

nur die halbe Welt ist Teflon und Asbest.
der Rest ist BRENNBAR,

und mitunter angezuendet ganz munter anzuschaun.

so lichterloh,
lichterloh.

[amadea]

So you're going to write a super-song that includes all those elements?

This was my immediate thought as well.

I've been trying to do something similar with the Ideal 80's Song Form:

Verse 1: Situation described
Pre-chorus 1: Situation either complicated, or supplemented with a representative detail
Chorus: True meaning and extent of the situation spelled out succinctly.

Verse 2: Story about situation or other further explication
Prechorus 2:Verse 2::Prechorus 1:Verse 1
Chorus: same as above

Bridge: Expression of the urgency of the situation and the inability to maintain status quo

Chorus: same as above

It's very effective and surprisingly hard to do. I will note that this is the perfect opening for someone to write a song of this structure using all of the elements theophile specifies above.

[cataptromancer]

Do you think it's important for your structure that the chorus be reported dialogue of some sort? ("And she said...")

[theophile]

I'd venture that the reported dialogue is an important part of the song, but that its placement is flexible. kind of like the necessary cryptic reference to an event or situation that is left unexplained, and that is not mentioned again in the song. you can put it anywhere, but it's important to find a place for it. also, the necessary single line of abstract imagery within each verse, unexpected when it hits-- the second-hand unwinds.

[theophile]

I will note that this is the perfect opening for someone to write a song of this structure using all of the elements [info]theophile specifies above.

whoever smelt it dealt it.

[cataptromancer]

Songwriting club?

[theophile]

I'll bring the chips and Sprite.