songwriting

it's been a while now since my last post.
Songwriting really takes time and I'm still looking for the magic formula to create a song. Again, I had some frustrating days when I spent hours on melody/chords or lyrics. I haven't decided yet whether it is easier for me to start with the music or with the words, therefore I'm trying to do it both ways and change the approach from time to time.

I'm still quite satisfied with "endless roads" and played it to my friend the other day and he really liked it. Such positive feedback is very important for me and I can get new motivation from it. I would also like to thank YOU who read my blog and comment on my posts for all the encouraging words. That really keeps me going.

I talked to a professional songwriter the other day who told me that he hardly works on a song for more than 3 hours. I would love to have this routine, I could complete my portfolio of 6 songs easily within a week. But I'm still far away from that.

Since my last post I've been working on another song which I called "Do you remember me", somehow I was inspired my Sarah McLachlan's title "I will remember you". There is indeed no other similarity than the title. My song is about this moment when you think of someone who you haven't seen for a very long time, possibly someone who you've met once and never seen again.
Here are the lyrics:

Do you remember me?

It’s half past midnight
and I’m sitting at my window
It’s a nice and clear night
and no clouds obstruct my view

I could not sleep
and found some old photographs
of you and some friends
- memories of laughter and wonderful times

Do you remember me
Like I remember you
After so many years
And all that we have been through

Do you remember me
Like I remember you
Like it was yesterday
And I was listening to you

I know you see the same moon
and the same stars in the sky
No matter where you are
We share the same view – and I

I wonder what you are doing
and how you have been all these years
what you are laughing about
and what brings you to tears

(© lara herrmann october 07)

I wonder how you like these lyrics. Let me know.

I'm planning to record "endless roads" this week and I'll let you know when you can listen to it

Lara

It doesn't work when I want to sit down to write music or lyrics. It just does't work. I can't think of anything to write. I guess I have to free myself from the thought that a song has to be difficult. I have just played a song on the piano which had only 3 chords. How great is that.

Well, the song that I'm working on at the moment is probably again more difficult than I wanted it to be. The titel is "Endless Roads" and I set myself some rules before I started writing it. It shouldn't be a love song and I tried to avoid the first person narrator (except for one place I managed that ). Somehow it doesn't rhyme but it still fits to the music. Not sure of this is the final draft and I might work it over again.

here is the text:

Endless roads

There are roads that seem endless
And unbearable to walk
They seem too steep and far to long to go
And you know it’s up to you to start

(but soon) your legs are getting tired
and hunger fills your thoughts
You consider turning back or at least sitting down for a while

But when you keep on walking
You’ll find flowers on your way
Next to the stones that
Let you feel the ground under your feet
And they are growing every day

If you could only see
Where this road is going to lead you
What all these crossroads mean to you

Before your legs are getting tired
And hunger fills your thoughts
Just think of me and let me guide you
On this endless road

(cause) when you keep on walking
You’ll find flowers on your way
Next to the stones that
Let you feel the ground under your feet
And they are growing every day

Hello everyone,

my name is Lara Herrmann. I'm a singer and songwriter studying Commercial Music at University of Westminster in London. As one of my final year projects I'm writing new songs in english language (I'm originally from Germany).
So.... 6 new songs, easier said than done.

I'm sure there are a lot of songwriters out there and no matter if you are experienced or never have written a song before, if you are an english native speaker or like me trying to find the right words in a foreign language, I hope some of you out there want to share thoughts, ideas and inspirations on songwriting.

Let's start the creative process!!