Lyrics on Steroids — (Part B)
If you remember, just over a week ago, I said that I would post three ‘chunks’ of an article, spread over the next few days. Apologies for diverting away from the plan, I had to make a post in-between (about MJ’s passing, as you’ll remember).
Anyways, I’d like to continue with this. For those of you that don’t remember the previous article (shame you on …lol) you can find it here: http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/06/lyrics-on-steroidspart-a
It had received some GREAT feedback, so let’s carry on with another bite from Stephen "Realis Vir IV".
Writing pathetically - No, this doesn’t mean doing a bad job on purpose. This means writing with pathos; in other words, appealing to emotion and the human psyche. This includes *subjective* feelings (versus the objective feelings in type 1 songwriting) and emotions; it has to do with understanding or trying to understand another person being addressed in a song, as well as conveying how the lyricist feels; it also conveys other feelings and appeals to strong psychological language and artistry. "I understand where you want me to stay. I guess we never were exactly on that page. I guess you never exactly felt that way"
Examples of pathetic songwriters are (versus apathetic): Billy Corgan, Good Charlotte, Saosin, After Midnight Project, etc.
Intense songwriters - Similar to writing pathetically but it can contain other elements that pathos lyrical style might not go into and it’s more about intensity. It may use commands or forceful questions, or even just intense descriptions. "Stealing my heart from under the very nose of me! Did you think I would like that? When you’d capture then break it? Now how would you take it back? Tell me!" Usually, it’s also more about the mood rather than the lyrics. It’s about how the genuineness in the voice is conveyed, whether it’s truly happy, truly sad, truly angry, manic, depressed, w/e.
Examples of Intense lyricists are Adam of 3 Days Grace, Element Eighty, The Drama Club, Taking Back Sunday, etc.
Happy light lyrics - These lyrics can be superficial, or just very euphoric, or just idealistic. They talk about perfect versions of things, or power-punch lyrics. It may go like "With my own themas of sunshine, I’ll refresh myself in dark times, you better believe I’m going to have myself a very good day. With my carefree reckless attitude, and my timeworn necklace beauty jewel, I’ll have to admit it’s a rather good way."
Examples of this kind of songwriting can be found in: The Killers (especially in a song like Human with lyrics like "are we human? or are we dancer?"), a song like Accident and Emergency by Patrick Wolf, or Patrick Wolf’s song The Magic Position, the song Perfect Day, a lot of mainstream pop, etc.
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I love the article. 
I have one more chunk to go and I’ll post it very soon. Your thoughts? Post them below.
Shamir
July 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Nice one Shamir I am ready to go now.
July 7th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Wow !!!! this is something that I will use to help me further my song writing….This is one teriffic way to help with how I want the song to sound..Can’t wait to get started …….
July 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EvtIZLBfOg
What kind of songwriting is this?
HAH!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
woooaaa!!!…okay lol…:D good one samir this peice of info really helps….anaways i wish i can meet you in person wouls be fun….:D..:pPp
July 7th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Concise, to the point, great examples, and simply wicked!
Great to read about how these different songwriters write, and how you define these categories is brilliant!
Another great e-mail!
July 8th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Hey Shamir,
Thanks for the gr8 article. About to practice it in ink : )
Waiting for part 3 ! Cheers - Charles
July 8th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Thanks for another writing perspective to apply:)
July 8th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Alrite I was feeling that article
July 8th, 2009 at 3:12 am
i love you more than every other artist that have ever existed because, u simply open up and volunteered to help others achieve that heart burning desire.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:14 am
Thanks for reading and liking my article guys and thanks very much Shamir for hosting it :)! I’m glad to help all my fellow songwriters and glad for their help in our collective journey to following this passion and gift to our fellow man :).
Oh in the euphoric lyrics example, I made a typo; it’s supposed to read “with my own thermos* of sunshine, I’ll refresh myself in dark times”.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Thanks man
July 8th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
thanks for all the help
July 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Thank you, Shamir. Insightful and helpful.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:55 am
This makes so much sense,,and it crystalizes much of what I have learned.
Thank you and keep up the good work
July 9th, 2009 at 7:32 am
thank you very much naw i can start writing from this hour
July 10th, 2009 at 3:40 am
Shamir you are the bomb.i am set to alonge with you.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:09 am
How would this work for death metal lyrics ?
July 10th, 2009 at 7:11 am
You know, Death, agony, suffering. these are the thing I write about in my songs and it would be nice to have your veiw on things.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Shamir the 2nd part is great.and am anxiously waiting part C.thanks so much.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
[...] « Lyrics on Steroids — (Part B) [...]
July 14th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Helo, shamir lots of thanks from me.you have rely made me to understand what i was not sure about.more grace to you.i present cannot find the order mails you sent to me in exception of lyrics on steriods a b c.Please mail them to me again.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:15 am
thanx for your generosity and pourin your heart out for us up and coming artist. God bless u man.
July 19th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
nice work man…. alway find smthing new and better in each article of urs
August 13th, 2009 at 12:05 am
thanks a million, its been great God bless you and more stregnth to your fingers. you i write songs of encouragement and hope. all the best
July 11th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Thanks for the over view. This is just bad.