Do you make music then lyrics? Or vice versa? Which is best?

[Teh Rock]

I'm just curious to see what people think about this. I sometimes write random lyrics, but never make music to go with them. Usually I make a random song, then see what my friends think, and than make lyrics to it if it sounds good.  

[W1nterSold1er]

I usualy write the instrumantal part of the song. its easer to make. With song writing you have to rhyme, fit the syllibuls, give it a chorus, title and other crap.

but i think it is best to write the lyrics first, then the music, so that way it fits all together.  

[Lantis0001]

For me, most of my best stuff came all at once, like a musical geyser of sorts.

I'd be noodling on the guitar, and just hum something along and lyrics would just fill themselves in.

Note to new players/songwriters: Keep pen/pencil and paper handy at all times! "The Muse" usually doesn't hit too often!  

[Lieto]

Yes, a musician should always have paper with them.

When it comes to writing songs, a melodic idea usual develops first. Then I might come up with some words to fit the melody. I just comes. Whenever I try to consciously create a song, nothing works. I have to rely on random inspirations and be prepared to work with them whenever they appear.  

[x.Marsh[mel]low.x]

I normally write lyrics, then music, then change the lyrics so they fit with the music.  

[sweetnight]

I usually write the lyrics first. It makes it eaiser for me.  

[SUCH HEROIC NONSENSE]

When I write lyrics I normally have a idea of a tune to go with them, This comes out as lines and squiggles beside my lyrics that only me and our guitarist can understand.
We write the song out with the tune and change either one when its done to see what fits best.
If the song needs tweeking then we switch a few notes areound and so on, but if we think its the lyrics its down to me to change them.  

[_Riyo_]

I can't write music, so I just write lyrics and leave the music writing to Mel! Hehe.  

[Stacie Chick]

writing lyic is easer. it just come to you easer.  

[Miami92]

Lieto

Yes, a musician should always have paper with them.

When it comes to writing songs, a melodic idea usual develops first. Then I might come up with some words to fit the melody. I just comes. Whenever I try to consciously create a song, nothing works. I have to rely on random inspirations and be prepared to work with them whenever they appear.

Same here. ^^  

[lucila117]

I tend to think that it's easier to start with a text, then the melodic line and finally the harmonic bits.  

[bast118]

our band usually writes the musical aspects to a song and pick from like a file of lyrics some of us have written and try to fit them to the song  

[Polaree]

Normally I write the lyrics and then create the instramental accompaniment. I think it gves you a beat to work with. I hope that sounds right...  

[Miami92]

I guess it depends on the song. 3nodding  

[Nyanfood]

I do lyrics first because that's what I take from the heart but in precision. Then I can mold my composition around it.