Product Description

With over 100,000 books in print, this successful author and songwriter provides a complete guide to writing words for and to music, showing how to create lyrics with universal appeal, choose a song form, and more. 350 pages. 6x9.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126375 in Books
• Published on: 1984-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 350 pages

Review
"...the classic songwriting tome." -- Billboard Magazine

"...to young lyricists who come to me for advice: Buy THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING. It's all there." -- Sheldon Harnick, Pulitzer Prize Lyricist, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

"Davis has fulfilled a vital need in American popular culture." -- American Music

"Davis's book...is both educational and entertaining. A marvelous piece of work." -- George David Weiss, President, The Songwriter's Guild of America

"Now I know what to say to young lyricists who come to me for advice: Buy THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING. It's all there." -- Sheldon Harnick, Pulitzer Prize Lyricist, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

"Sheila Davis's book deserves not one, but two 'E's for excellence as it is both educational and entertaining. A marvelous piece of work." -- George David Weiss, President, The Songwriter's Guild of America

THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING explains how to combine songwriting talent with various techniques to create lyrics with commercial hit potential. This book also defines more than 100 literary and musical terms and supplies advice and quotes on the creative process from more than 50 experts in the music industry. THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING is a must-read for potential songwriters. -- Song Hits Magazine

THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING is a must-read for potential songwriters. -- Song Hits Magazine

THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING is an exhaustive and thoughtful introduction to the intricacies of song lyrics, and includes analytical insights that are interesting even to those who are not aspiring writers.(International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM)) -- International Association for the Study of Popular Music, IASPM

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly good
I've gotten over "writer's block", which was a myth to begin with. I'm writing great lyrics now, and feeling confident in my lyrics.

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF LYRIC/POETRY WRITING
If your goal is to learn all you ever need to know about lyric writing, then this is the book you must own. I have read many books on this subject, and this book is clearly, the authority on the subject. And because this book brings forth a sound foundation for meter and rhythm, it is perfect for high school and college students that are studying poetry; I should know, by reading this book, I got all A's in my English classes where poetry was taught. And being a songwriter for over 10 years, I can't say enough about what a great help this book has been to all my research in the field of popular music composition. The book is full of examples from newer pop songs, but also gives examples of Tin-Pan Alley songs that are worth noting; upon listening to the Tin-Pan-Alley songs, my taste in music has expanded.

How Lyric Writers Eat their Veggies
This is THE book to learn the tools to write excellent lyrics for pop music. It systematically explores techniques and presents successful examples of their use. Yes, it plods like a school textbook, but it is written by a successful teacher who has mastered her craft. Yes, some examples are old, but they still illustrate excellence in action. Some other books are certainly quicker and more entertaining reads, but if your goal is to write the very best lyrics you possibly can, you are only hurting yourself if you do not work carefully through this book, however long it takes. Then do it again, and keep it handy for future reference.