Advice on writing a song for my friend please
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Sounds like a good starting point, especially if you pick a song with a rousing chorus that everyone can join in with. Also, put it in a key that everyone can drone sing along with. If you format it Chorus Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Chorus then it’s easy for them to pick up. Write the chorus words first, then you’ve only got three verses to find words for. By the third verse it doesn’t even matter if they rhyme, or even fit the rhythm. (I’m always reminded of “Can’t think of a word that rhymes” from Alice Cooper’s Schools Out.allen said:... I had an idea that I could use the tune of a well known song and just put the words to that ..
Good thoughts there. I've been dabbling with 'Always look on the bright side of life'
More ideas welcome!
How do I choose a good key?
More ideas welcome!
How do I choose a good key?
Make the end of whatever you devise cunningly morph into "Happy birthday to you.." the punters will definitely sing along to that.
I'd go with a song that has a very verbose verse you can fit a load of information into and that tells a story.
Something like: My Way, Life on Mars, We didn't start the fire, etc.
Something like: My Way, Life on Mars, We didn't start the fire, etc.
Very good ideas there. I'm currently also dabbling with 'Your Song' Elton John.monquixote said:I'd go with a song that has a very verbose verse you can fit a load of information into and that tells a story.
Something like: My Way, Life on Mars, We didn't start the fire, etc.
We didn't start the fire sounds like it would be a stretch. We haven't actually done that much!
Wild rover will almost guarantee the audience will respond.
Get the chorus right- the verses are then just a few stories.
Are you a psychic? The entire party will be Irish!Open_G said:Wild rover will almost guarantee the audience will respond.Get the chorus right- the verses are then just a few stories.
Ahh.. You should've said,Are you a psychic? The entire party will be Irish!
Add to the final seque "Danny Boy" and maybe substitute your mates name if it scans.. Guaranteed winner
How to write a one off original song for a 60 year old along with a bunch of drunk Irish people:
Play G C D Em and repeat. Feel free to throw in D for a couple of bars for a bit of variety
Add ia bluesy intro and outro using Em pentatonic
But yeah. Better to rip off a well known tune. You could even use Dirty Old Town by The Pogues with the starting lyrics "I met [friends name] by [place you met]". Something like "60 years old" would fit the Dirty Old Town chorus perfectly.
If you're not a natural singer then hamming it up to do a Shane McGowan style vocal is a lot safer than Danny Boy
Play G C D Em and repeat. Feel free to throw in D for a couple of bars for a bit of variety
Add ia bluesy intro and outro using Em pentatonic
But yeah. Better to rip off a well known tune. You could even use Dirty Old Town by The Pogues with the starting lyrics "I met [friends name] by [place you met]". Something like "60 years old" would fit the Dirty Old Town chorus perfectly.
If you're not a natural singer then hamming it up to do a Shane McGowan style vocal is a lot safer than Danny Boy
Unless there are balloons (skip to 2:00)...flying_pie said:...
If you're not a natural singer then hamming it up to do a Shane McGowan style vocal is a lot safer than Danny Boy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IHxSlb4qwQ
Haha. That's greatdigitalkettle said:Unless there are balloons (skip to 2:00)...flying_pie said:...
If you're not a natural singer then hamming it up to do a Shane McGowan style vocal is a lot safer than Danny Boy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IHxSlb4qwQ
And balloons can enhance a song even if you're already a great singer
https://youtu.be/9UiUsA_4fC0?si=n4ID9dsmZlZyBUhI
Thanks for all the tips chaps. Have been developing the ideas.
That'd have been funnier if it was really done with helium instead of a pitch-shifter.digitalkettle said:Unless there are balloons (skip to 2:00)...flying_pie said:...
If you're not a natural singer then hamming it up to do a Shane McGowan style vocal is a lot safer than Danny Boy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IHxSlb4qwQ
If you use something like the Moises app you can remove the singing from existing tunes and then easily try to write your own lyrics with the original backing.
It can change the key as well.
It's a marvellous practice tool.
It can change the key as well.
It's a marvellous practice tool.
Studio One Pro 7 is doing stem separation now...fretmeister said:If you use something like the Moises app you can remove the singing from existing tunes and then easily try to write your own lyrics with the original backing.
It can change the key as well.
It's a marvellous practice tool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Bgff0YTo8
I mentioned this thread to Lady BMcH, and she applied her considerable wisdom.
Just play "More than words".
Just play "More than words".
I think there already is a Birthday song written that can easily have one word changed to personalise it to a particular person.Sporky said:I mentioned this thread to Lady BMcH, and she applied her considerable wisdom.
Just play "More than words".
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6t1vaF50Ks0mrkb said:I think there already is a Birthday song written that can easily have one word changed to personalise it to a particular person.Sporky said:I mentioned this thread to Lady BMcH, and she applied her considerable wisdom.
Just play "More than words".
allen said:Hi all,
I have decided to write and perform a song for my friend's 60th birthday. He's a soppy bugger so I'm sure he will enjoy anything sentimental and over the top.
Anyhow, I don't feel all that confident in writing something that works. I've generated some reasonable lyrics from an AI generator, but a bit stumped for melody/harmony.
Just planning it to be me with an acoustic guitar. I had an idea that I could use the tune of a well known song and just put the words to that, but also a bit unsure of where to start with finding something suitable and making the lyrics fit.
I'm also a bit of shite singer, so something relatively straightforward is the general intention.
Any guidance or ideas?
Bottle of whisky?
I have decided to write and perform a song for my friend's 60th birthday. He's a soppy bugger so I'm sure he will enjoy anything sentimental and over the top.
Anyhow, I don't feel all that confident in writing something that works. I've generated some reasonable lyrics from an AI generator, but a bit stumped for melody/harmony.
Just planning it to be me with an acoustic guitar. I had an idea that I could use the tune of a well known song and just put the words to that, but also a bit unsure of where to start with finding something suitable and making the lyrics fit.
I'm also a bit of shite singer, so something relatively straightforward is the general intention.
Any guidance or ideas?