Most songwriters know the benefits that come with creating a word list when writing song lyrics. And though there are several ways this can be done, most lyricists will create a simple list of words that pertain to the song’s topic.
大多數詞曲作者都知道在寫歌詞時創建單詞清單的好處。儘管有幾種方法可以做到這一點,但大多數作詞人會創建一個簡單的單詞清單,這些單詞與歌曲的主題有關。
The benefit of doing this is that you establish a vocabulary that makes searching for the right word or phrase a little easier, and that will speed up your lyric-writing process.
這樣做的好處是,你可以建立一個詞彙表,使搜索正確的單詞或短語變得更容易一些,這將加快你的歌詞寫作過程。
But you can enhance your word lists if you get a little more creative. Here are some ideas for making more useful lists:
但是,如果你更有創意,你可以增強你的單詞清單。以下是製作更有用的清單的一些想法:
- Create separate verse and chorus lists. Since we know that verse lyrics tend to describe situations, people and circumstances, and chorus lyrics tend to express more emotions, you can create two separate lists, one which helps create the basic nouns (Verse: drive, party, friend…), and another to express emotions: (Chorus: cry, heart, warm…)
創建單獨的詩歌和合唱清單。由於我們知道詩歌歌詞傾向於描述情況、人物和情況,而副歌歌詞傾向於表達更多的情感,因此您可以創建兩個單獨的清單,一個幫助創建基本名詞(詩句:開車、聚會、朋友等),另一個用於表達情感:(合唱:哭泣、心、溫暖...... - Use phrases in addition to words. A word list can include multiple-word phrases, and this is a great way to make sure you’re not overusing some time-worn expressions. Putting phrases in your list can allow you to take a common phrase, and change it to suit your own purposes. (Example: “Hold my hand” might become “Hold my heart”).
除單詞外,還使用短語。單詞清單可以包含多個單詞短語,這是確保您不會過度使用一些過時的表達方式的好方法。將短語放入清單中可以讓您採用常用短語,並根據自己的目的進行更改。(例如:“握住我的手”可能會變成“握住我的心”)。 - Add synonyms. For some of the more powerful words and phrases on your lists, you might consider creating mini lists that amount to being synonyms. Again, it can help you avoid overusing certain words. They don’t even have to be exact replacements, but simply other words and phrases that offer the same basic idea. Example: “Looked over at her”, “watched her”, “took a look”, “glimpsed”, “shot a look”, “stole a glance”, etc.
添加同義詞。對於清單中一些更強大的單詞和短語,您可以考慮創建相當於同義詞的迷你清單。同樣,它可以説明您避免過度使用某些詞語。它們甚至不必是精確的替代品,而只是提供相同基本思想的其他單詞和短語。例如:「看了她一眼」、“看著她”、“看了一眼”、“瞥了一眼”、“偷了一眼”等。 - Consider rhymes. As you create your word lists, you could already be thinking of rhymes for some of your choices. It makes it just a bit easier when it comes time to creating the final lyric.
考慮押韻。在創建單詞清單時,您可能已經在考慮為您的某些選擇使用押韻。在創作最終歌詞時,它使它變得更容易一些。
Whatever you do, the basic idea is to remember that there are no rules as to how you should create or use a word list. And like any activity in songwriting, the more creative you can be, the better.
無論你做什麼,基本思想是記住,沒有關於你應該如何創建或使用單詞清單的規則。就像歌曲創作中的任何活動一樣,你越有創造力越好。
And one more idea: try re-creating your word lists as you work through your songwriting process. In other words, take out a new sheet of paper (or open a new document) and start your lists over when you’re part way through writing your song.
還有一個想法:嘗試在完成歌曲創作過程中重新創建單詞清單。換句話說,拿出一張新紙(或打開一個新文檔),當你寫歌的時候,重新開始你的清單。
You can either redo them from scratch, or take a good look through the lists that you already have, and see if there are words and phrases that you can add to the list.
您可以從頭開始重做它們,也可以仔細查看已有的清單,看看是否有可以添加到清單中的單詞和短語。
In that regard, don’t think of writing a word list as a single activity that gets done only at the start of your process; it can be a dynamic activity that gets done — and then redone — several times through the process of writing a song.
在這方面,不要認為編寫單詞清單是一個僅在流程開始時完成的單一活動;它可以是一項 動態活動,在寫歌的過程中會完成幾次,然後重做幾次。
Written by Gary Ewer. Follow Gary on Twitter.
If you’ve always wanted to make your lyrics stronger, there’s a strong benefit that comes from a lyrics-first process. “Use Your Words! Developing a Lyrics-First Songwriting Process” gives you lots of ways you can put the spotlight on your song lyrics. Get it separately, or as part of the 10-eBook Bundle.