Write about something you know.
I think the good writers are able to say really complex stuff simply.
@Rambozo96 :
Yep. All the monster hits are based on pretty simple hooks and lyrics.
RayK described a good creative process, his plan for construction.
There
is actually an art to it, I took a class in Jr. College called "Creative Thinking". Textbook was based on interviews with many highly regarded artists from different disciplines. A common theme developed, of tapping into that "creative zone" where new ideas gestate, and then consciously developing them on the "disciplined" level of awareness..
Related to that was the idea that there's a "simmering pot on the stove" just below the regular everyday life demands on attention, our normal "Control of Activity" zone that's evolved to over-ride the " daydreaming" zone. (Or perhaps the process of infant development and training is what brings that level to the forefront? It's a survival enhancer, in any case)
Every person in that book described a process of learning how to "tune in" to that "daydreaming" mental space. Einstein was even notorious for being pretty oblivious to his surroundings when he was in "the zone".
Meanwhile working on the current "project" and then finishing it or putting it aside allows space for the new stuff to bubble up from the simmer pot.
Exactly why Dreadnut intuitively understood the need to "write everything down": Clears some space off the desk for the next project (plus then you can revisit it when you're ready again). Trying to store all that stuff in memory actually inhibits the flow.
That's also part of the "discipline" required to develop any skill, doing the actual work of writing it down (or something equivalent, like a recording). Takes practice.
Now what occurs to me next is, "Are we only talking lyrics, or the 'whole tune' "?
And what do
you define as great song? What's your ideal you're striving for? I'd assume it would be inspired by your favorite pieces/artists.
That's how it was for me anyway, wanted to be as "good" as my favorites but still be recognized for my own unique stuff, the creative pot was boiling over for me musically at age 13.
I actually decided to give up graphic art in favor of the guitar, because even though I was a better graphic artist than player, the music ideas came freely whereas visualizing graphics, not so much, except for abstracts. Inspired by music.
Part 2:
I love pop music. If "great" is defined by mass appeal, then pop music's where you'll find most of the "greats"?
Pop music is typically pretty simple. I loved the stuff with a nice tight little hook leading into the verses and a tight little chord progression behind 'em.
"We Gotta Get Outta This Place" (the bass intro is timeless. Also the same goes for "Windy")
"Satisfaction"
"Psychotic Reaction"
"For Your Love"
"Sunshine Of Your Love" (Some of Cream's lyrics could be considered a little pretentious unless one understood the context of the times they were written for, so there's also that issue to answer that question)
There's a lot to be said for learning your favorite stuff as a means of expanding your tool chest. That'll increase your ability to organize/arrange/formalize the new ideas as they bubble up: "What chord is that I'm hearing?" Lot easier if it's already in your vocabulary.
In my mission to become a better musician I busked on the Santa Cruz boardwalk in the early '80's. I quickly realized my most popular stuff was the simplest, especially (upbeat)12-bar blues based stuff. Bordering on country-western, even. (Hey the chords're easy to play, right?
)
One day a little girl all of about 3 years old stopped to watch so her folks did too. After a minute or so she did a little dance.
I had an epiphany going home that night (on a bus): "There's mom and dad and grandma and grandpa and a little tyke and me in the middle, and they
all liked the music. That's what you gotta try to write for if you want to write great pop: the widest age range appeal possible."
So, I also had a conscious creative
mission. (Still do too, but with refinements as missions get accomplished)
'At's all I got for now buddy, hope it helps.