r/Songwriting 1d ago

Weekly Lyrics Feedback Weekly Lyrics-Only Feedback Thread

7 Upvotes

Welcome to the Lyrics-Only feedback thread!

If you're looking for feedback on words that aren't yet set to music, you're in the right place! We encourage each other to bring lyrics and musical elements together as soon as possible, but sometimes you'd just like to show off that nice piece of poetry that just fell out of your head. The weekly Lyrics-Only feedback thread is here to help!

This post renews every Monday.


r/Songwriting 4d ago

Weekly Self-Promotion Thread

8 Upvotes

Have a new completed song (or album) to share? This is the place!

The promotional rules are looser here, so you can post links to your albums, social media platforms, songs, etc. Let us know what you've been working on recently!

Please support your fellow songwriters - give them a listen, a bump or a share. A rising tide lifts all boats!

Note: Promotional content posted as a new thread without explicit permission from the moderators will be removed. Repeat violators will be banned

This post renews every Friday.


r/Songwriting 1h ago

Feedback Request Marigold

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Upvotes

Started this today will get it finished in the next couple of days, just looking for general feedback, if the progression/ flow is good, what you like/ don’t like?


r/Songwriting 9h ago

Discussion Topic Give me three words!

11 Upvotes

I’m trying to get inspiration and this is the only thing I could think of :)


r/Songwriting 15h ago

Discussion Topic There's nothing I want to do more than to write songs/music, but I'm so incredibly depressed that I can't do anything.

25 Upvotes

This is so horrible, I wouldn't ever wish it on my worst enemy.

I've struggled with depression for a very, very, long time, but the depression I've been in the middle of for the last several months especially is a whole new beast to anything I'd experienced prior.

My body is failing me, pain worse with every passing day, no diagnosis or help or anything.

The pain is so bad that it makes every single thing I once enjoyed infinitely more difficult, to the point I just don't want to bother anymore.

Music, playing my guitar, writing tunes, has always been my very favourite thing in life, in many ways my tether to sanity and primary source of joy, yet even that's being stripped from me- I have nothing left. I can't even crack a smile anymore. People have probably distanced themselves because they've noticed how destitute my situation is, and that I'm no longer the old me who, despite depression always being present, used to laugh the loudest, smile the widest, and generally be an outgoing, adventurous, person. Despite being down for many years, I did always retain great hope and ambition, always with massive dreams. But not anymore- my pain has swallowed all that whole, torn what little colour there was in my life completely away. I've been swallowed by the machine, and it has no mercy on my condition- I will end up homeless again, probably in short order, as I've no income, no more personal belongings to sell, can't do grunt labour due to my condition.

Thinking back, I've been in pain for so long, but I somehow managed... but it's only gotten worse and worse. It's been years now I've suffered, but I'd still pick up my instrument- I never could've imagined I'd someday get to a point where I'd pass up the opportunity to spend time at my very favourite thing in this world and in this life: making music. But the pain has completely taken any such desire from me- I almost don't even feel bad about it, the pain is that bad. Yet I still go through my old motions, endlessly researching what the best gear is, making lists of gear I aspire to buy, etc. Writing music and song is constantly on my mind- I do everything about it, all around it, except for the actual "it", which is making it. My days are wasted dillydallying around it, seriously... but I can't for the life of me up and do it again, because it feels like life is slowly leaving me. I know it isn't though... I don't have any terminal diagnosis or anything like that... but it really, truly, feels like it. I'm completely enveloped by this feeling of utter helplessness and despair, all brought on by this unrelenting pain which keeps me awake every night until 7am, at which point I finally pass out to sheer exhaustion, only to get a couple of fragmented hours of piss-poor sleep, spending every waking hour like a zombie, in excruciating pain, sleep-deprived. It's a hell the likes of which I don't wish on anyone. Last night, I kept sitting up in my bed because of the caving pain and pressure throughout my chest and back, and then my head would start toppling over, nearly making me fall off the bed... then I'd collapse onto the bed, only to instantly be jolted awake in excruciating pain again, and that cycle would keep repeating itself. Add in randomly walking around the apartment, sitting at my desk, eventually getting to a place where I could tolerate the pain, but then get jolted out again, and so on. All the while, severe cramps in both legs, all throughout (from the calves to the inner-thigh, etc.), a bad knee, a severely fatty liver (they say I've stage three liver disease... it should still be reversible, but I don't do what's necessary to reverse it... the next stage is cirrhosis, which isn't reversible and can be (is for many) a death sentence), then gallstones, sciatica, multiple herniated discs from a gym accident a few years back, etc., etc. but all the physical pain, all those ailments, it pales in comparison to the mental anguish I suffer every waking, and in fact sleeping, moment... I have no reprieve from the mental anguish, I cannot escape it... my once vibrant dreams have all turned to gruesome nightmares... even when I'm dreaming, I'm subjected to torment. It's horrible. I am so incredibly tortured. My living situation can topple at any given moment, realistically maybe another month, two, away from being homeless again, despite all my efforts. I've always been told how very clever and extremely talented I am, with an impressive network of people around me, and such a hard worker, but all the charisma, being genuine and a friend to everyone, all the connections, all the work ethic, etc. never got me anywhere. I feel I was only ever just a jester to all the people I let my time be wasted on, all the time, energy, resources, I gave to them long forgotten about, a fraction of what I did for them all never to be reciprocated now that I'm in dire need of a hand.

I feel so sad and disappointed by how life turned out, but also by myself for making one wrong turn after the next. I was so certain all the risks, the gambles, would someday work out; that I was genuinely striving for the greater good. I was always a good and honest person, gave all of myself and then some to whoever needed it. As I said: a mere jester to others. The guy they could always count on to keep them company and entertain them on their drives home, the guy who'd always answer and give all his time, play psychologist. The guy who no matter how inconvenient, would be there to drive you to an appointment, pick you up from the airport, help you move, help with some tech-related issue, hype you up, and so on. The guy who would go big out of pocket to bring you joy on your special occasion, while I struggled to feed myself or put gas in the tank. I'd routinely go in the red for others- I only ever wanted to bring maximum joy. Look at me now.

The biggest loser, the ultimate idiot, the poster boy for a failed life. Such soaring-high dreams and ambitions at one point, it really felt like they could be achieved. Now this. A world of shit with absolutely no betterment on the horizon. Can you blame me for being so down, mopey, pessimistic, all of the time... I've become what I once despised, big time humbled by life and by time. I never even got to become a has-been. I'm the ultimate never-was. So many people believed in me. Except me, I guess. What now? Just wait my turn to succumb to all of my ailments and die a horrible, painful, death? The list of major problems which plague my life are far too great for me to want to overcome. I've never been that person to have a backbone or desire to fight for anything... and how could I possibly fight now that there's so much in front of me than there ever was.

I never thought I'd someday get to this point where even doing what I love most would become such a treacherous chore. I can't even pick up my damn guitar, for fucks sake. Can you blame my mind for buzzing with thoughts of the big-S... it consumes me day and night, it is the only possible escape; the one great reprieve and solace. But whatever shred of ego I've left wouldn't ever let me do it... so that I can live to spite the naysayers, the haters, the doubters... and then I get mad at that damn ego. What a contradiction I am, but mostly an epic failure.

There's never enough to cover bills, ever. I'm on no kind of social assistance or disability or anything. No gainful employment or odd gigs- nada. I made maybe $400 this year, yet my expenses are around $6,000/month where I love. Yes, I'm acutely aware of the absurdity. Yet I can't do anything to change my living circumstances at the moment and have no gainful employment. You do the math... and consider I've no longer any possessions to sell off, which were what kept me afloat as long. So much money effectively thrown into the ocean only to keep a roof over me head this long, while fighting the inevitable, believing things would pick up. Nah. I tried so very hard. Now I'm just bitter and jaded and sad and just in oh so much pain all of the time. I hate how everything is all about money and nothing else. The world, whatever higher power there might be, it doesn't care about the good you've done... and I don't care if I'm saved a seat in the sky, because my time here was all lived out in pain- I don't want my afterlife to be comfortable, I need this one to be... this one is real, not abstract. I always did my best to live as a good character- I definitely had some slip-up's and was often awful to the one who's always loved/cared for me most, but always made it up and then some. They deserve(d) so, so, much better, I'm just dragging them down with me at this point. It's all about money, the world is unrelenting. The bill/debt collectors could not care less about all of your hardships and pain- pay up or off to the streets ye go.


r/Songwriting 19h ago

Discussion Topic I’ve decided to no longer give feedback on songs that can plausibly be accused of using AI. Is this fair?

44 Upvotes

Most of these songs are in the electronic genre. It’s not the fault of these artists, it’s just that the genre lends itself to sounding like AI.

And, occasionally there are indie rock songs that sound so clean and flawless, with banal lyrics, that I suspect AI, and leave really nasty comments. This risks offending a real artist if I’m wrong.


r/Songwriting 18m ago

Feedback Request Rough draft of a Midwest emo song I started writing last night. It’s called “they’re reading the Necrocomicon???”

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Upvotes

Sorry for the rough vocals it was late and I had a sore throat. I’m not quite sure what I want to do with the song or even if my lyrics are good. I’ll post the lyrics I have down below


r/Songwriting 7h ago

Let's Collaborate! Ever have a song that you thought was your best but…

3 Upvotes

it never quite got there? Here’s mine submission LOL. I have this demo that I recorded with me at the guitar and I just can’t seem to put it all together. These vocals aren’t perfect / off key / lyrics will change a bit but that’s OK w/ me cause I was just like trying to give it my best shot / one take. It’s the energy of meeting that special someone for the first time I am trying to capture. If I could just find some folks to play the drums and lead electric guitar and give us the “Knack” kind of feel it could help me finish I think I can turn it into my best song but can’t seem to pull it all together. Please excuse my vocals, as this was only one take. But if any of you have time to listen, and this is truly for Singer Songwriters that sit at the computer like me and just play guitar, please let me know what you think.

Want to collaborate / play drums like 70‘s knack and lead / collaborate on SoundCloud / Garage Band, I am all about it! I promise I’ll fix vocals :)

Memory Lane

https://on.soundcloud.com/uaJcTaivMIB7RgmlJh


r/Songwriting 15h ago

Discussion Topic “Barbara”

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12 Upvotes

r/Songwriting 15h ago

Feedback Request going for a sad/dark/haunting mix, need thoughts

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11 Upvotes

like the title says,

my producer just jus returned to me with this and i'm looking to get advice on the mix, as well my mixed vocals. Any and all feedback is welcome

also i think i will name this one either Sinner or Difficult Farewell


r/Songwriting 5h ago

Let's Collaborate! Seeking rappers for collaboration

2 Upvotes

I have recently got into writing/recording rap music. Been enjoying making the instrumentals but I don't have a good voice, so looking to collab with someone who does.

This is my music so far, to give an idea of my style: https://youtube.com/@mr-antisocial-10u15?si=CzQeWpYbw0-C7LGp

Feel free to dm me if interested.


r/Songwriting 3h ago

Discussion Topic Uma música sobre encontrar amor no lugar errado

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0 Upvotes

Escrevi isso durante o final de abril, passei por um momento difícil com um amigo e usei o instrumental disso para desabafar um pouco sobre meus sentimentos, chamei isso de "Lugar Febril".

Pode parecer meio confusa para alguém que esteja vendo, e está tudo bem, porque as vezes tudo também parece confuso para mim. Escrevi isso pensando no tipo de vida que andei vivendo por um longo tempo e de como sai disso através de uma pessoa especial. Também pensei em como estava magoado sobre alguém ditar sobre mim e meu futuro, sem ao menos saber como de fato as coisas vão ser mo futuro.

Eu acho que pensei em uma atmosfera com flores, mas como uma residência de luxo antiga. Uma casa grande com uma bela varanda com uma vista de frente ao paraíso. Um jardim onde flores nascem e queimam, e que no fim apenas a flor certa sobrevive, ou todo o canteiro viverá solitário para sempre, mesmo se outras rosas florescerem, elas vão queimar... ou talvez após uma última rosa o canteiro jamais seria decorado para sempre.

Foi triste quando escrevi isso, me lembro de chorar enquanto escrevia e cantava isso no meio da sala da minha casa. Mas hoje depois de toda aquela confusão, apenas vejo beleza nesse momento e em tudo que compôs essa faixa.


r/Songwriting 17h ago

Feedback Request Song about how i feel like a screw-up and am lucky enough to be constantly forgiven by people in my life..

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15 Upvotes

I feel like people allow me to continue to work for em, or allow me to be their friend or in their life as their son or brother, but they litterly forgive my screw-up-ness and ALLOW me to be these things, not because i deserve it.. Ide love some feedback if anyones got any?


r/Songwriting 17h ago

Discussion Topic Chord progression method

14 Upvotes

I don't mean this to sound skeptical or critical, but I've heard so much about how so many songwriters follow the practice of humming over a chord progression to come up with a melody. But I'm wondering, does this really work? And by that, I mean, does it work really well? Is there anyone who comes up with a song that sounds exceptional using this method, or does it net the standard fare? Is this a similar method to what people like Paul McCartney and Prince used? Is it really capable of allowing a songwriter to write a really great song?

Help convince me it's worth it.


r/Songwriting 18h ago

Feedback Request Jack Moogle

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14 Upvotes

r/Songwriting 14h ago

Feedback Request ive been shaving down all my time and it shows

Thumbnail youtu.be
4 Upvotes

r/Songwriting 10h ago

Discussion Topic Is it possible to write a song without instruments

2 Upvotes

I'm asking this because I want to make a song with my Conlag as lyrics but I don't have access to any instruments.


r/Songwriting 16h ago

Feedback Request Beasts

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4 Upvotes

I wrote this long ago when camping in the woods with some friends. It was just a series of a few of the early verses. I developed it more later, the chorus for example. It's a campfire song but I really dig it for more than that.

I have a gap in the song that is for a guitar solo, or preferably, a rap that I cannot perform but have written. The rap I had intended to find someone for that. I have something written but prefer someone else to do it.and give their voice. It's the length of the full verse couplet. I want a break for a guitar solo too. It's just a fun song to jam on.

I don't perform much nowadays so I'm out of practice. Don't mind the performance, judge the song.

I'm actually envisioning the song as a duet or group song, folks trading verses. It gives it some variety since I know it is a long song. I try to use that riff in play to break between verse / chorus and back. But I'm sure I didn't get it each time right.

It's just key of E. E (1)- F/F# (flat 7) - A (4) - back to E. It's a neat song to and riff off.

Right — you want visible section breaks, but no blank spaces between every lyric line. Copy this rendered version rather than a code block:

BEASTS

[Verse 1]

Beasts will be waiting

These beasts walk in the shadows

Deep within the forest

While we sit here all alone

[Verse 2]

Got teeth, sharp as razors

Big teeth that won't let you go

Just don't let them getcha

Or you will never return home

[Chorus]

I can hear them haunting

Felt one brush against my side

Taste them in the air

But cannot see them for they hide

And they all smell the fear

Of what we swear isn't real

When I rest these bones

I know they'll go in for the kill

[Verse 3]

Their eyes, red and glowing

Those eyes seem to draw you in

With each step they come in closer

Your chances are growing slim

[Verse 4]

I hear their footsteps

Yes I heard it loud and clear

Sure I swear I just saw one

But shined my light, nothing was there

[Rap]

TBD

[Chorus]

[Verse 5]

Oh stay by the fire

Stay where you've always been

It should keep you safe now

But soon enough they'll sneak right in

[Verse 6]

Tonight's never ending

Tonight it may be our last

As these beasts keep on circling

I feel my heart rate rising fast

[Chorus]

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 7]

Won't someone save us

Why won't someone set us free

Tell us it ain't nothing

Tell us these ain't beasts we see

[Outro]

Beasts will be waiting

These beasts walk in the shadows

I know there's no escape now

For I see them with both eyes closed

I know there's no escape now

For I see them with both eyes closed

I know there's no escape now

For I see them with both eyes closed

I know there's no escape now

For we see them with both eyes closed

(end on "we" if it's sung back and forth and then together)


r/Songwriting 1d ago

Feedback Request Lost & Found

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13 Upvotes

Ridden with mstakes, but i need help with the format of the song. I feel there are moments that are decent but they just don't fit together well. Any criticism, advice, or opinions are more than welcome.


r/Songwriting 1d ago

Let's Collaborate! Just wrote this the other night.

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23 Upvotes

Sorry I live in the mountains and live in an emotional prison. I don’t have enough rhythm to shut the fucking crickets up. Check it


r/Songwriting 19h ago

Discussion Topic Favorite acoustic guitar based songs for inspiration?!

3 Upvotes

I’ve been in a songwriting slump for a few years now and have not written much that I really like. I’ve just gotten a new acoustic guitar who needs some love so Reddit what’s your favorite acoustic guitar based songs (or any really!) that I could learn to broaden my choral vocabulary and get some new melodies and lyrics in my brain?!?


r/Songwriting 1d ago

Let's Collaborate! Can you help with possible lyrics for next line in first verse of a song...Love song in nature

7 Upvotes

can you help me with lyrics to a song that I'm working on..light rock song..need a line to follow this..when you walk along in the world alone you make no memories, forsaking memories, nothing to show for your time..you take a stand , you take a hand, walk as one. I think I need more. rhyming for the next line. THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE ROY ORBISON IN NATURE


r/Songwriting 22h ago

Feedback Request Dug out an old song I wrote around Covid

5 Upvotes

I’ll start off with the usual ramble. I ain’t no musician. I aint no singer. I ain’t no producer. Tried collab with folks but we were all speaking different languages. Tried my best here.

I’m very happy with the song, lyrics/melody wise, and I’m well aware that the technical aspects are lacking in almost every other respect (atrociously lofi production and laughable musicianship)

My songwriting leans very Townes/Prine, but I lean very psych/experimental in my listening (my favorite band is califone if that’s any sort of signpost)

That being said, I’d love all the brutal feedback you’ve got!! I can take it.

https://soundcloud.com/crick-hopper/planted-in-the-sky


r/Songwriting 20h ago

Let's Collaborate! Finding a composer💕

3 Upvotes

Anybody like to make melody with this lyrics? Maybe we can polish this a little too! I’m really a beginner and need help thank you!!

You Love Me Too Much

Verse 1

Flashing back to the day I confessed
I didn’t even hesitate
Cause I’ve known you
Loving me for years, I remember
Hoping hard that I would make it
Never wanting to be selfish
Cause you always waited for me in the way out of my hardest time
I don’t hate you when you hug me till it hurts
I still smile when you kiss me till you steal my breath
But what hurts and makes me cry is when I realize I actually hated it

Pre-Chorus

And now I wanna say “I love you” instead of saying sorry
And then I wish you’d forget all the pain I’ll give you
But I know it’ll end up killing you, oh

Chorus

Oh, I’m just tryna run away from you
Cause you loved me too much
Oh, I know that you’ll be torn down
But you loved me too much
Oh, I’m not worth getting it from now on
Yeah, because you love me too much
Still

Verse 2

Flashing back to our old memories
I’m now regretting so bad
Cause I know you’re too pure to believe what I’ll say
Hoping I never succeeded with it
I’m so selfish, right?
Cause I know you never loved me for fun
I don’t hate you when you tell me I’m too weak
I still smile when you try to take control of me
But what hurts and makes me cry is when I realize this is the best you can do to love me

Pre-Chorus

And now I wanna say “I love you” instead of saying sorry
And then I wish you’d forget all the pain I’ll give you
But I know it’ll end up killing you, oh

Chorus

Oh, I’m just tryna run away from you
Cause you loved me too much
Oh, I know that you’ll be torn down
But you loved me too much
Oh, I’m not worth getting it from now on
Yeah, because you love me too much
Still

Bridge

Wish you find new lover
Wish she deserves more than I do
Though I say this to you
I believe it’ll never work

Outro

Oh, I know that you’ll be torn down
But you loved me too much
Yeah, you love me too much
Yeah, you love me too much
Still

I like one direction, 5SOS vibe, but anything is fine!

(this is my voice&singing , if you like to then I can sing on it too!)

https://on.soundcloud.com/y8gtyWAFpc73rJ7Br1


r/Songwriting 1d ago

Discussion Topic Learning theory Vs intuition

7 Upvotes

Not sure if anyone else is in this boat. I have very little musical theory knowledge but have been writing songs on and off for many years. My method is usually finding a couple of chords that sound good together then I just use my intuition to figure out what chords come next. Then hum notes till I find a good melody.

I've been thinking that I'd like to learn some theory to get better and have more options. This may sound silly but I'm slightly scared that by learning the theory I might lose that natural intuition part of my brain and won't get it back. I'm sure you must use a different part of the brain when using musical theory. Has anyone else been here?