Lyrics That Inspire Your Writing

[Michael H]

Do certain songs / lyrics inspire your writing? If so, do the lyrics inspire the entire theme of a story or do many songs, in concert, reflect themselves over the range of a manuscript.

I'll go first. Jan Phillips has inherited a fortune yet lost his life's love. He's just finished a phone call with his attorney and is alone in the apartment he shared with his lover. This scene was inspired by these lyrics from the song ONCE UPON A TIME.

 

"Once upon a time

The world was sweeter than we knew

Everything was ours

How happy we were then

But somehow once upon a time

Never comes again"

~ Lee Adams and Charles Strouse

 

Here is the scene from BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

"... Jan turned their conversation over in his mind. Money; it was poor compensation and it did nothing to lessen his feelings of inadequacy. With Tim at his side, Jan felt that nothing was beyond his reach. Now, everything seemed beyond him. He called the Pinnacle Club for messages then went into the living room and poured himself a small Campari over ice. He leaned back against the leather-covered wall and rolled the cool crystal glass across his forehead. The spicy aroma brought back memories of Italy, the Gulf of Salerno

[GaryK]

I have an ongoing series of my own style of poems in eFiction. They're all four lines. The first and third lines have four words in them. The second and fourth lines all have five lines in them.

 

My inspiration was loosely based on the the title of the song, "I Took a Walk" by Shawn Phillips. While the poems in no way have anything to do with the song I happened to like the idea of writing down my thoughts while taking a walk.

 

While walking things happen and thoughts enter my mind. This is my way of recording those things and thoughts for posterity.

[corvus]

Hmmm.

 

I don't think music has ever inspired me directly. But certain pieces resonate with my writing.

 

For "Mike and Winston," this song, by Neverending White Lights (could you get any more maudlin? harhar), was good for setting some of the tone; it's called "I Hope Your Heart Runs Empty." Another song -- one that has a similar sound, actually -- called "

," covered by Sarah Brightman, helped me too.

 

I guess these pieces help make me feel lonely or sad or calm enough to access the emotions needed to write. Can that be considered inspiration? I dunno.

[Razor]

The entire time I was writing When I Fall Asleep I was listening to the song We Are So Last Year, by Hawthorne Heights (on the album If Only You Were Lonely). Some lines are bolded cause they were what I was especially concentrating on when I was forming the idea for the story and writing it.

 

We're falling faster

This is the last year

Just a few more hours

Until we are all alone

This never happens

Changing with fashion

Just a few more hours

Until we are unknown

 

I wish I could have known you better

I should blame it on the weather

This was over from the start

Does it even matter?

Our situation's getting worse

 

Sleep in

Sleep well

With this life

We're set to fail

 

I just wanted you to know

I think about you every night

When I fall asleep

You are in my dreams

Just like in a movie

the one you want to see

with a happy ending

 

This dead letter written on black paper

It never found her eyes

Instead of love

She only saw dollar signs

 

Sleep in

Sleep well

With this life

We're set to fail

 

I just wanted you to know

I think about you every night

When I fall asleep

You are in my dreams

Just like in a movie

the one you wanna see

With a happy ending

 

With this life

We are set to fail

 

I just wanted you to know

I think about you every night

When I fall asleep

 

I just wanted you to know

I think about you every night

When I fall asleep

You are in my dreams

Just like in a movie

The one you want to see

With a happy ending

[S.L. Lewis]

This has happned quite a bit actually. But my favorite song that helped me write something, even if it was seriously, uber sad, was Skillets The Last Night. The lyrics that hit me were the chorus and said:

 

This is the last night you'll spend alone

Look me in the eyes so I know you know

I'm everywhere you want me to be

The last night you'll spend alone

I'll wrap you in my arms and I won't let go

I'm everything you need me to be

 

I was looking for a song to help me write and I stumbled across this and found myself writing for a good 2 hours, only stopping to hunt for my dictionary or to restart the song.

[BitterEpiphany]

I tend to gravitate towards rock and soft rock when I write; partly because my stuff is intentionally evocative (co-inciding with the song lyrics), and partly because that kind of music seems to get me into a creative mood. Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park, The Reason by Hoobastank and Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson do it for me...

 

And then there's also the rest of my iTunes library, heh...

[DuffManBurns]

I have a playlist on my iPod that I listen to every time I write. (Even though I haven't written since they had M on MTV, heh.) I shuffle it every time, though, so it dudn't get as stale as it would otherwise. Bout fifty songs or so, and most're suitably depressing, cause it's more fun that way, innit? Anyways, five most influential'd be "Wonderwall" by Oasis, "Standard Lines" by Dashboard Confessional, "Drive" by Incubus, and "I Love You Anyways" by Travis.

 

The last song's "Paper Bag" by Fiona Apple (whose lyrics're below, cause I think it's the best written song I've ever heard). Fits the theme uh my story perfectly as well, so.

 

I was starin' at the sky

Just lookin' for a star

To pray on or wish on

Or somethin' like that

I was havin' a sweet fix

Of a daydream of a boy

Whose reality I knew

Was a hopeless to be had

But then the dove of hope

Began its downward slope

And I believed for a moment that

My chances were approaching to be grabbed

But as it came down near, so did a weary tear

I thought it was bird, but it was just a paper bag

 

Hunger hurts, and I want him

So bad, oh it kills

Cause I know I'm a mess

He don't wanna clean up

I got to fold cause these are too shaky to hold

Hunger hurts, but starvin' works

When it costs too much to love

And I went crazy again today

Lookin' for a strand to climb

Lookin' for a little hope

Baby said he couldn't stay

Wouldn't put his lips to mine

A fail to kiss is a fail to cope

I said, "Honey, I don't feel so good

Don't feel justified

Come on put a little love here in my void"

He said, "It's all in your head"

And I said, "So's everything"

But he didn't get it

I thought he was a man, but he was just a little boy

 

Hunger hurts, and I want him

So bad, oh it kills

Cause I know I'm a mess

He don't wanna clean up

I got to fold cause these hands are too shaky to hold

Hunger hurts, but starvin' works

When it costs too much to love

[ashessnow]

Lyrics that inspire me? Well Muse has been a huge influence on the series I'm writing. I mean, if you listen to these songs, in this order, and you might get some idea. Here are just some exerpts.

 

 

Apocalypse Please

 

declare this an emergency

come on and spread a sense of urgency

and pull us through

and pull us through

and this is the end

this is the end of the world

 

it's time we saw a miracle

come on it's time for something biblical

to pull us through

and pull us through

and this is the end

this is the end of the world

 

 

Butterflies And Hurricanes

 

change,

everything you are

and everything you were

your number has been called

fights, battles have begun

revenge will surely come

your hard times are ahead

 

best,

you've got to be the best

you've got to change the world

and you use this chance to be heard

your time is now

 

don't,

let yourself down

don't let yourself go

your last chance has arrived

 

 

Falling Away With You

 

I can't remember when it was good

moments of happiness elude

maybe I just misunderstood

 

all of the love we left behind

watching the flash backs intertwine

memories I will never find

 

so I'll love whatever you become

and forget the reckless things we've done

I think our lives have just begun

I think our lives have just begun

 

and I'll feel my world crumbling,

and I'll I feel my life crumbling

and feel my soul crumbling away

and falling away,

falling away with you

 

 

Now thats not it of course, I won't reveal the whole story, but while rereading they come to mind. And so do T.S. Eliot's The Hollow Men and Robert Browning's Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came.

Edited March 24, 2008 by Nerotorb

[PlugInMatty]

I remember writing something loosely based on Bruce Springsteen's Streets of Philadelphia when I was younger

 

I was bruised and battered and I couldnt tell

What I felt

I was unrecognizable to myself

I saw my reflection in a window I didnt know

My own face

Oh brother are you gonna leave me

Wastin

Edited March 24, 2008 by PlugInMatty

[AFriendlyFace]

I'm working on a story now about a guy whose boyfriend is struggling with a drug addiction and I was very inspired by Jimmy Eat World's "Drugs or Me"

JIMMY EAT WORLD

 

"Drugs Or Me"

 

Stay with me

You're the one I need

You make the hardest things

Seem easy

 

Keep my heart

Somewhere drugs don't go

Where the sunshine slows

Always keep me close

 

If only you could see

The stranger next to me

You promise you promise that you're done

But i cant tell you from the drugs

 

Don't let go

We'll dig a great big hole

Down an endless hole

We'll both go

 

You're so blind!

You can't save me this time

Hope comes from inside

And I feel so low tonight

 

If only you could see

The stranger next to me

You promise you promise that you're done

But I can't tell you from the drugs

 

I wish you could see

This face in front of me

You're sorry you swear it you're done

But I can't tell you from the drugs

 

(Ohhhh)

(Ohhhh)

 

(take me) I need your help

(so far away) To pull me up take the wheel

(take me) Out from me

(so far away) Out from me

 

(Take me) If only you could see (I need your help)

(So far away) The stranger next to me (To pull me up take the pain)

(Take me) You promise you promise that you're done (Out from me)

(So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me)

 

(Take me) I wish that you could see (I need your help)

(So far away) This face in front of me (To pull me up take the wheel)

(Take me) You're sorry you swear it you're done (Out from me)

(So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me)

 

Keep my heart

somewhere drugs don't go

Where the sunshine slows

always keep me close

 

Edit: Here's a link to a youtube video in case anyone wants to hear the song. Obviously the video isn't really spot on since it's not about young gay lovers...but let's pretend.

 

Edited March 24, 2008 by AFriendlyFace

[shadowgod]

I'm working on a story now about a guy whose boyfriend is struggling with a drug addiction and I was very inspired by Jimmy Eat World's "Drugs or Me"

 

ohhh that sounds interesting Kevin. I'm looking forward to reading it now (see, this is why you don't say you are working on something that may never see the light of day )

 

As for me, I find inspiration in allot of different songs. Sometimes it may just be for one scene, other times one song could inspire a whole story. The latter was the case for Destiny of Time, but I haven't posted that here yet.

[Krista]

I'm working on a story now about a guy whose boyfriend is struggling with a drug addiction and I was very inspired by Jimmy Eat World's "Drugs or Me"

 

 

 

Oh goodness Kevin. I cannot wait for read stuff from you.

 

 

As for me, I usually have a song or a set of similar songs that inspire me to write. Not really, the plot aligning with those songs and their theme, but there are a few favorite emotional songs that lead my to day dreaming and such and allows for creativity to happen with me.

 

For Roommates actually the songs that I listened to are:

 

Jewel - 1000 Miles Away

 

"1000 Miles Away"

 

It's morning time, wonder where you are

wonder who you're talking to

wonder if the sun has risen where you are

it's morning time, i miss your hands on my skin

this bed's too big without you

oh god, what do i do?

I'm a thousand miles away, and I'm lying next to you.

 

The sun shines golden, and I feel like my car

a little run down, a little beat up, maybe just a little green

maybe it's my battery, maybe it's my starter,

maybe my heart's too weak

there's just this feeling, thought I had to get going

got too scary, got too big, got to get out of here

but now i don't know how to get home.

oh god, what do I do?

I'm a thousand miles away, and lying next to you.

 

Mama says take my vitamins,

daddy says "girl, don't stay out so late"

sister says "there's other fishes in the sea"

but love is not a rational thing, and my heart is beyond advice

no, love is not a rational thing

oh god, what do I do?

I'm a thousand miles away, and lying next to you.

 

these fields stretch out like patchwork, on my granny's quilt

she used to tell me that

"life is a series of strange and mysterious things

one minute you think you're up, the next you find you're down"

your mind says "girl, you gotta stick around"

but your heart says "I'm too weak in the knees"

oh god, what do I do?

I'm a thousand miles away, and lying next to you.

 

And,

 

Faith Hill

 

You're Still Here

 

Thought I saw you today

You were standing in the sun then you turned away

And I knew it couldn't be but my heart believed

Oh it seems like there's something everyday

How could you be so far away

When you're still here

When I need you you're not hard to find

You're still here

I can see you in my baby's eyes

And I laugh and cry

You're still here

I had a dream last night

That you came to me on silver wings of light

I flew away with you in the painted sky

And I woke up wondering what was real

Is it what you see and touch or what you feel

Cause you're still here

Oh you're everywhere we've ever been

You're still here

I heard you in a stranger's laugh

And I hung around to hear him laugh again

Just once again

Oh...

Thought I saw you today

You were standing in the sun then you turned away

Away

 

Neither song fits the story, even if they are similar in theme, but very different in style. I had listened to both songs before I started thinking about the story. If they directly influenced the story then Roommates wouldn't be what it is. So really, my inspirational lyrics are more like mood setting songs instead of influential.

[ashessnow]

Lyrics that inspire me? Well Muse has been a huge influence on the series I'm writing. I mean, if you listen to these songs, in this order, and you might get some idea. Here are just some exerpts.

 

 

Apocalypse Please

 

declare this an emergency

come on and spread a sense of urgency

and pull us through

and pull us through

and this is the end

this is the end of the world

 

it's time we saw a miracle

come on it's time for something biblical

to pull us through

and pull us through

and this is the end

this is the end of the world

 

 

Butterflies And Hurricanes

 

change,

everything you are

and everything you were

your number has been called

fights, battles have begun

revenge will surely come

your hard times are ahead

 

best,

you've got to be the best

you've got to change the world

and you use this chance to be heard

your time is now

 

don't,

let yourself down

don't let yourself go

your last chance has arrived

 

 

Falling Away With You

 

I can't remember when it was good

moments of happiness elude

maybe I just misunderstood

 

all of the love we left behind

watching the flash backs intertwine

memories I will never find

 

so I'll love whatever you become

and forget the reckless things we've done

I think our lives have just begun

I think our lives have just begun

 

and I'll feel my world crumbling,

and I'll I feel my life crumbling

and feel my soul crumbling away

and falling away,

falling away with you

 

 

Now thats not it of course, I won't reveal the whole story, but while rereading they come to mind. And so do T.S. Eliot's The Hollow Men and Robert Browning's Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came.

 

I have already posted, obviously, but...I have more. One more actually and will post the whole song.

 

 

Freak On A Leash - Korn f/ Amy Lee

 

Something takes apart of me

Something lost and never seen

Everytime I start to believe,

something's raped and taken from me, from me

Life's always gotta be messin with me (You wanna see the light?)

Can't they chill and let me be free? (So do I)

Can't I take away all this pain? (You wanna see the light?)

I try to everynight in vain, in vain

 

Sometimes I cannot take this place

Sometimes it's my life I can't taste

Sometimes I cannot feel my face

You'll never see me fall from grace

 

Something takes a part of me

You and I were meant to be

A cheap f*ck for me to lay

Something takes a part of me

 

Feeling like a freak on a leash (You wanna see the light?)

Feelin like I have no release (So do I)

How many times have I felt diseased (You wanna see the light?)

Nothing in my life is free...is free

 

Sometimes I cannot take this place

Sometimes it's my life I can't taste

Sometimes I cannot feel my face

You'll never see me fall from grace

 

Something takes a part of me

You and I were meant to be

A cheap f*ck for me to lay

Something takes a part of me

 

Something takes a part of me

You and I were meant to be

A cheap f*ck for me to lay

Something takes a part of me

Part of me

Part of me

Part of me

Edited March 25, 2008 by Nerotorb

[SonoLuminus]

This song partly inspired my summer anthology entry Scenes From Hugo:

 

Dancing With Tears In My Eyes

by Ultravox

 

 

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Weeping for the memory of a life gone by

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Living out a memory of a love that died

 

It's five and I'm driving home again

It's hard to believe that it's my last time

The man on the wireless cries again

It's over, it's over

 

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Weeping for the memory of a life gone by

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Living out a memory of a love that died

 

It's late and I'm with my love alone

We drink to forget the coming storm

We love to the sound of our favourite song

Over and over

 

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Weeping for the memory of a life gone by

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Living out a memory of a love that died

 

It's time and we're in each other's arms

It's time but I don't think we really care

 

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Weeping for the memory of a life gone by

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Living out a memory of a love that died

 

Dancing with tears in my eyes

Weeping for the memory of a life gone by

Dancing with tears in my eyes

[Tiger]

Time to Say Goodbye often inspires me. You can find the lyrics here. It's one of the most romantic songs in existence as far as I'm concerned. I think this thread is slightly too narrow. I often find that instrumental music inspires me to write, especially Chopin.

[AFriendlyFace]

ohhh that sounds interesting Kevin. I'm looking forward to reading it now (see, this is why you don't say you are working on something that may never see the light of day )

 

 

Oh goodness Kevin. I cannot wait for read stuff from you.

 

Thank you so much, both of you!

 

You know I shall hold you to that

 

 

The first part of the story is already complete and working a few chapters into editing, and so far I've managed to do the prologue for the 2nd part of the story. So hopefully soonish

 

Anyway, I definitely did feel inspired by several songs while writing this story. I'm the sort of person who can't focus or be relaxed if there's any music playing while I'm trying to read or write something. So I couldn't listen to music while writing. However, I would have the songs in mind, and I would like take breaks to listen to them or listen to them later and I still found it very inspiring.

[Former Member]

Usually when i am writing i have to have music playing in the background it can be almost any kind of music but just something in the background so i dont get bored from pounding away on the keyboard. One of my favorite authors listens to Christmas songs in July she goes "You know im really looking for insperation when" or she will listen to Evanescence. In fact the otherday i was playing around with a story idea i got and Call Me When Your Sober came on my ipod and WHAM! The 1 character named Nathaniel's father instantly became a Alchoholic. And then i was writing about Nathaniels older brother and i was singing along to Elton John's "Daniel" at least i think its a elton john song and in the song its like "oh and it looks like daniel there must be a cloud in my eye" and i had to stop writing and go and use this little storyboard kinda program thing i got going on and go off and do all little backnotes for this Daniel lol and it inspired me for like this graveyard scene. Funny thing is poor Nathaniel just shows up at his brother Daniel's home having just met agian and i have nothing to write dialogue wise between them. HA HA. I'll have to play lots of Fleetwood Mac or something to get the creativitiy going agian.

[Razor]

And I said, "Hey boy

What you crying for?

It'll be okay in the end.

And if this life doesn't give you the love you expect,

There's always the next.

 

 

 

Soldier, by Anna Nalick. I'm writing now. The whole song inspired the story in a way... and I'm completely ripping off a couple of phrases, damn it, which I would normally feel bad about doing but it's just too pretty to resist putting it together.

[AFriendlyFace]

Soldier, by Anna Nalick. I'm writing now. The whole song inspired the story in a way... and I'm completely ripping off a couple of phrases, damn it, which I would normally feel bad about doing but it's just too pretty to resist putting it together.

I shall remember that, "it was too pretty not to steal" defense in case I ever get arrested for art theft.

 

 

Sounds great though! I'm looking forward to reading what it reaps

[Razor]

I shall remember that, "it was too pretty not to steal" defense in case I ever get arrested for art theft.

 

 

Sounds great though! I'm looking forward to reading what it reaps

 

 

hahaha, yay. And I'm glad, since I just finished it and sent it off to my wondrously wonderful magically delicious editor-man, aka Conner.

[Mikie]

My Spring Anthology piece "Falling Slowly" was in fact inspired by the song "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansaard and Marketa Irglova.

 

Lyrics:

I don't know you

But I want you

All the more for that

Words fall through me

Always fool me

And I can't react

 

Games that never amount

To more than their meant

Will play themselves out

 

Take this sinking boat

And point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice

You had the choice

You've made it now

 

Falling Slowly

Eyes that know me

I can't go back

Moods that take me

And erase me

And I'm painted black

 

You have suffered enough

And warred with yourself

It's time that you won

 

Take this sinking boat

And point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice

You had the choice

You've made it now

Falling Slowly

Sing your melody

I'll sing along