What Comes First: Melody or Lyrics? A Songwriting Approach That Gives You More Than Just the Song

Ah, the age-old debate among songwriters: what comes first, the melody or the lyrics? It’s a bit like asking the classic “chicken or egg” question, and just as with that eternal quandary, the answer can vary widely depending on whom you ask. As for me, well, my approach might just turn this debate on its head, enrage a few and amuse others. Let me take you through a journey where both melody and lyrics often emerge simultaneously, wrapped in the rich fabric of a detailed story. Stop being a songwriter, be a script writer, an author first.

The Storytelling Approach

In my world, songwriting is not just about stringing together a catchy tune or penning down evocative lyrics. It's about creating an entire universe where the song exists. Imagine Bollywood movies for a moment. The songs are not mere interruptions; they serve to advance the story, adding depth and emotion. Similarly, my songs are born from stories. I start by crafting a detailed narrative, complete with characters, settings, and colors. Even before the songwriting begins, the writing process is already on its way. This way, the song is just a by-product that comes to me instantaneously and completely. neither melody, nor lyrics come first. The story plays in my head like a movie and then the song fills in the space.

This process very interestingly happens a lot of times in my dreams and I wake up with the song. Now, it’s not magic, I feed a lot of information related to the song, the colors, the characters, the world to my brain for it to work while sleeping.

For instance, when we were working on “Scooby Doo Jackie Chan,” the entire plot was laid out before a single note was composed. I knew who the protagonist was, his struggles, the dark humor in his madness, and the chaotic energy he embodied. This story became the bedrock upon which the song was built. The entire “Scooby-Doo Jackie Chan” world now serves as a source material for artwork, social media posts, future music videos, merchandise and so much more.

Building the World

Creating this world is akin to how great novelists build theirs. J.K. Rowling, for example, didn’t just sit down one day and write Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. She spent years developing the wizarding world, its history, its rules, and its characters. This meticulous world-building made her stories rich and immersive. P.S; I’m a raging Potter head and appreciate you talking to me about it.

So, how do you apply this to songwriting? Start with your main character. What’s their backstory? What are their motivations and fears? What colors and settings surround them? This foundational work not only enriches your song but also provides a treasure trove of material to draw from when inspiration runs dry.

Think of it like baking a cake. Sure, you can throw ingredients together haphazardly and hope for the best. But if you follow a recipe and understand the role each ingredient plays, you end up with a delicious, well-crafted masterpiece. Your song deserves the same careful attention and it’s fun after the first couple of times you do it. You have so much material that you can write a book on the song or short story at least, make it a comic book (I surely would be doing that for a few of my songs in the near future)

From Story to Song

Once the story is in place, translating it into lyrics and melodies becomes an almost organic process. Key elements of the story guide the song’s structure. A character’s emotional arc might become the chorus, while the setting influences the melody and instrumentation. Fee it to your brain or just take a break and imagine this movie you are making and trust me the song will come to you.

Take our song “Mausam” as an example. It was born from a story about a man reflecting on his life during a rainy day. The rain, with its melancholic yet rejuvenating presence, influenced both the lyrics and the melody. The song’s verses mirror the ebb and flow of memories, while the chorus captures the stormy intensity of regret and longing.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

One of the greatest benefits of this storytelling approach is its ability to help you overcome writer’s block. When I hit a creative wall, I revisit my story. There’s always a detail or a subplot that sparks new ideas.

Stephen King, in his book “On Writing,” suggests that when faced with a block, one should focus on different parts of the story or explore character backstories. This can reignite your creative flow. Similarly, diving into the intricate details of your song’s narrative can help you find new lyrical ideas or melodic lines.

For instance, if you’re stuck on a chorus, try writing a short scene involving your song’s characters. How would they react in a pivotal moment? What words would they use? This exercise can lead to fresh, authentic lyrics that resonate deeply.

Expanding Beyond the Song

But the magic doesn’t stop at the song. Your detailed story can inspire other creative aspects like music videos, social media campaigns, and merchandise as I said before. The sky is the limit really? Comics, NFTs, Art, Sequels, Prequels, Merch, Stickers yada yada yada

For our song “Ghadi Ghadi,” the intricate story we developed helped us create thematic merchandise and a cohesive social media narrative. (Merch will be coming soon). The characters and settings we established became visual motifs in our music video, and the color palette from the story influenced our promotional materials. This holistic approach not only enriches the song but also creates a unified artistic vision that extends across various media. It’s like having a universe in your pocket, ready to be explored and expanded.

Conclusion

By integrating storytelling into your songwriting, you create a rich, interconnected creative process that extends beyond the music. You build a world where your song lives and breathes, offering endless possibilities for artistic expression.

So, the next time you sit down to write a song, don’t stress about whether to start with the melody or the lyrics. Instead, start with a story. Build your world, define your characters, and let the music flow from there. If you get stuck, scream Eternalramblings three times while standing on one leg and rotating clockwise and then realise, it’s stupid and drop a text on Instagram to summon me.

Remember, every great song is just a story waiting to be told. So, what’s your story?