How to write a song - Elton John discusses his songwriting techniques

Hear Elton John discussing his approach to writing with his long standing partner Bernie Taupin.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• songwriting
• write song
• how to write songs
• how to write a song
• songwriting lessons

[dcs002]

How to write a song? Another misleading title used to get more views. The only how-to in this video is that you can write a song by getting someone else to write the words first and then write music to fit your own emotions about the lyrics.

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How to write a song: Use someone else's words and then add music. Gee folks, thanks for the tip.

[soundsurgeon]

Different things work for different people. There are songwriters who use vaious methods depending on the moment or the mood etc. At the end of it all, what matters is the quality of the result.

[dcs002]

@realbleamer I was not being sarcastic at all. Don't mistake me - Bernie Taupin & Elton John are one of my favorite songwriting teams ever. But what insight is offered in this video? None, other than "I like writing the music, so I partnered with a good lyricist, and he did his bit first."

Yes, it's a good tip to stick to what you're good at. I write theatrical music. I love doing Shakespeare plays because his lyrics are amazing. I'm much better at writing the music. This video adds nothing.

[realbleamer]

@AndrewJBoyer only 100% morons don't know the importance of melody. i'd say at least 75% of the reason for Elton John's success are his melodies. at least. I may be underestimating... people will forgive pretty daft lyrics if there's an excellent melody to go with 'em..

[realbleamer]

@dcs002 I know you are being sarcastic - but perhaps that is a good tip. Maybe some people are good at writing melodies but not writing lyrics so they should look for a lyric writing partner? (or visa versa) ... back in the old days of pop music this was very common.

[realbleamer]

@BJ22PIANO different things are easier for different people

[scottybroker]

elton sings/performs naturally. gotta give it to him.

[MrPow19]

Come on folks, this is the best songwriter in the world. Bernie is awesome I agree. But I think Elton could have done it without him-puhleez. Paul Mc Cartney woke from a dream to write "Yesterday" for petes sake.

[marmas58ink]

0:15 "Sometimes I have suggested a title for a song, maybe a melody, 'DGBMH' is the only one I can think of..." Does he mean title or melody? I hope he means just the title, as DGBMH has to be one of the lamest/ most irritating songs ever...of 1976 or any year, (IMO of course). - Only Philadelphia Freedom compares as far as my dislike of his old hit singles. -- "It's always a non-collaboration..." interesting description... while maybe (?) BT felt he was writing lyrics tailormade for EJ's style.

[dgester]

interesting because i've heard many artists talk about how its more important to start the songwriting process with the music and then they write the lyrics. but as long as it works for the song it doesn't really seem like it matters which part of the song you start with.

[NinetiesYouth]

lyrics need to be eliminated from popular music