Easier to Write Lyrics or Music: A Personal Perspective and Analysis

Writing a song can be a deeply personal and creative endeavor, and the process can vary greatly from one person to another. The question of whether it's easier to write lyrics or music has no one-size-fits-all answer. This article explores the individual experiences and insights of various songwriters, analyzing the factors that might make one process easier or more difficult than the other.

Varied Experiences Among Songwriters

Some songwriters find it significantly easier to start with lyrics. For instance, consider the personal experience of one such songwriter: "I have no trouble coming up with lyrics but the tune is not my strong point. ... You might be the other way." This highlights that writing lyrics could be more straightforward for certain individuals, whereas composing music may pose more of a challenge. Conversely, there are those who are more adept at creating tunes, yet struggle with the wordplay that is necessary for crafting memorable lyrics.

Factors Influencing the Writing Process

The nature of the lyrical or musical composition can influence which comes more naturally to a songwriter. Some may find that long, complex rhyme schemes can be particularly difficult: "if they require long complex rhyme schemes, can be a real pain in the neck." On the other hand, the act of writing lyrics may simply come more easily when the writer's innate ability with words and rhymes is put to use.

Another significant factor is the timing and mood of the songwriter: "it might depend on the time of day, or you might find out during rehearsal." Creativity can be highly influenced by the internal and external environment in which a writer is working, making the ease of writing lyrics or music highly subjective.

Musical Versus Lyric Writing: A Balancing Act

The process of writing music precedes the creation of lyrics for many songwriters. As one songwriter puts it, "almost always write the music first. [They] would rather wait until [they] think of something catchy and put words to it then try to put music to lyrics." This method makes the task of lyric writing seem simpler because the melody serves as a framework that makes the task of finding the appropriate words more straightforward. However, others may find it easier to start with lyrics, with the hope that once they have a strong verbal or written base, the corresponding music will fall into place more easily.

Trained Versus Untrained Songwriters

Writing music often requires a certain level of training, either formally or informally. As one songwriter with a degree in music notes, "writing music you need some facility on an instrument, while writing lyrics you just have to be able to write." Tone-deaf individuals may face more difficulties in the music-writing process, whereas anyone can improve their lyrical skill with practice. This underscores the importance of having a solid foundation in your chosen method of songwriting.

Collaboration is a vital aspect of many songwriting processes. Some, like the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein, found their collaboration to be highly effective: "Rogers wrote the music Hammerstein wrote the lyrics—seemed to work well for them!" This example emphasizes the potential benefits of complementary skills and the flexibility to work in a variety of ways.

Concluding Thoughts

In the end, the ease with which a songwriter can write lyrics versus music is highly dependent on their individual talents, training, and the dynamic of their creative process. Whether it's easier to write lyrics or music ultimately comes down to personal experience and preference, and it can even be different for the same individual at various stages of their career. The key is to find a process that works best for you and to approach each song with an open mind and a receptive heart.