Song Club #50: Found Text

There’s something so freeing about using someone else’s words.

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At the moment, I seem to have two lyrics modes: honest, literal and taken from my own life or lyrics I find other places.

Recently, in a local songwriter’s circle, we were given the task of setting a poem to music. I used “Having A Coke With You” by Frank O’Hara. I was surprised by how quickly I found both melodies and my own meaning in them.

In particular the line ‘You suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever’ wrapped itself around an Am7 - Bm7 - Em progression in a way I’m totally stuck on.

There’s something so freeing about using someone else’s words. Especially if you feel you have nothing to say, but are longing to say something.

Usually I share ‘Entry Points’ that lend themselves to writing your own lyrics, but this week, we’re going to explore different ways to use other people’s words.

Big love and keep going,
Lucy

‘Entry Points’