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Where do you get your inspiration? What books have you read or seminars have you attended that helped you in this respect? Are there any specific techniques you use to get you writing? Feel free to discuss any of the creative aspects of songwriting in this forum. You can also use this forum to help inspire and to challenge yourselves. Make suggestions for song topics, talk about titles, discuss the differences between poetry and song lyrics, etc. Enjoy!
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Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a metaphor

#1 User is offline   jonie Icon

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 04:34 PM

I believe someone might have put up something similar to this exercise a while back. I'm trying it again, with a little more explanation of how it's done.

Start by listing five of your own random adjectives. For example,

Adjectives

clear
slick
leafy
coarse
dirty

Next, come up with 5 random concrete nouns

Concrete Nouns

wood
water
rain
light
people

Finally, 5 abstract nouns

Abstract nouns

honesty
death
perfection
illusion
abuse

Combine 1 adjective, 1 noun and 1 abstract noun to come up with metaphors.

The clear water of honesty
Rain slick illusion
The leafy wood of perfection
Death is a dirty light
The coarse people of abuse

Another go,

Death is a coarse rain
The leafy light of illusion
The dirty people of perfection
The slick water of abuse
Honesty is a clear wood

Not all of them will be good, of course, but some may start you off on a good lyric or poem idea.

Post up your lists and results. Highlight your favorite.

If it leads to something more, post that up too.

Maurreen has supplied us with a random word generator.
We have now sunk to a depth at which re-statement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men.
George Orwell

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
Arthur C. Clarke

Don Martin Lyric of the Year 2008 & 2009
1 + 1 Song of the Year 2009 Ain't That True

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#2 User is offline   Alistair S Icon

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 04:48 PM

Adjectives
Sunny
Transparent
Elastic
Sweet
Smoky

Nouns
Hat
Corporation
Book
Orchestra
Bar

Abstract nouns
Feelings
Corruption
Communion
Sin
Sex

So..

The sweet bar of corruption?
The elastic orchestra of sex?
The smoky book of feelings?
The sunny hat of communion?
The transparent corporation of sin?

I'm quite liking the sex one.. :)
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"In my opinion this is a bunch of filth and garbage and we need far less this type of lyrics gettin back in the ears of our children." - from a critique received

"When I was 5 years old, my mum always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wante to be when I grew up. I wrote down, "Happy". The told me I didn't understand the assignment and I told them they didn't understand life." John Lennon.

#3 User is offline   jonie Icon

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 05:03 PM

I agree, the elastic orchestra of sex is a winner.


Adjectives

bitter
flimsy
shadowy
old
mellow

Concrete Nouns

curtain
oven
song
bed
feast


Abstract nouns

infamy
confusion
pleasure
frustration
alarm

Frustration is a bitter oven :)
The flimsy bed of infamy
Pleasure is a mellow feast
The curtain of shadowy confusion
Old song alarm
We have now sunk to a depth at which re-statement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men.
George Orwell

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
Arthur C. Clarke

Don Martin Lyric of the Year 2008 & 2009
1 + 1 Song of the Year 2009 Ain't That True

My Soundclick Page
My lyrics and songs hosted by Lyricadia

#4 User is offline   Maurreen Icon

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Posted 06 September 2011 - 04:50 AM

I'm using a random word generator.

Adjectives
effective
forgiving
linear
related
relevant

Concrete Nouns
arcade
blood
city
fire
publication

Abstract Nouns
detail
illness
mainstream
obligation
taste

Phrases
Effective arcades of details
Forgiving blood of illness
Linear city of the mainstream
Related fires of obligation
Relevant publications of taste

Poem?
Mainstream city.
Relevant publications.
Obligation saturation.
Arcade details
effective illness.
Not linear.
All related.
Forgiving blood.
Lacking verbs.
Needing nerve.
Seeking fire.
I'm not lost; I'm on an adventure.

#5 User is offline   jonie Icon

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Posted 06 September 2011 - 04:15 PM

Great phrases and poem, Maurreen.

In playing with your list, a bit

Forgiving fire of obligation
Effective blood of the mainstream

Your random word generator is fabulous. Would you mind if I posted it up for all to use, if they wish?
We have now sunk to a depth at which re-statement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men.
George Orwell

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
Arthur C. Clarke

Don Martin Lyric of the Year 2008 & 2009
1 + 1 Song of the Year 2009 Ain't That True

My Soundclick Page
My lyrics and songs hosted by Lyricadia

#6 User is offline   Maurreen Icon

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Posted 07 September 2011 - 10:57 AM

Thanks, Jonie, glad you like.

Please do share the random word generator. That's what I was trying to do.
I'm not lost; I'm on an adventure.

#7 User is online   Neal K Icon

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Posted 09 September 2011 - 12:39 PM

From the random word generator...

Adjectives
Invasion
Sensible
Considerable
Full
Novice

Noun
Pilot
Bolt
Chemical
Bending
Backlog

Abstract Nouns
Justice
Love
Bravery
Sympathy
Hatred

Phrases + meanings:
Considerable chemical bravery: dodging trains while high on drugs
Full backlog of justice: So many crimes, not enough courts
Novice pilot sympathy: Poor guy crashed into the mountain on his first flight

Neal
The forest would be silent if only the best birds sang.

#8 User is offline   DirkBaart Icon

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 08:29 AM

Great topic! Got those from the Random Word Generator.

Adjectives
Returnable
Rainy
Deceased
Riddled
Sewn

Nouns
Ballroom
Dynamite
Collision
Keystone
Heartache


Abstract Nouns
Relationship
Smile
View
Difficulty
Promise

Found Combinations
The rainy ballroom of relationships
The deceased dynamite in your smile
The riddled keystone of a promise
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