Successful Lyric Writing

Ms. Davis's other book, "The Craft of Lyric Writing", was recommended to me. Looking in the library this one was the next book over, (oh, great fortune!) so I took both out. I have just ordered both for purchase because, as a composer of some experience who has now made the leap of trying lyric writing (and anyone that thinks it's easy is kidding himself) I cannot imagine my library without them. Her step-by-step suggestions, professional and well-considered insights, and many examples demonstrating things like writers' consistent viewpoint, simplicity/clarity, etc. (or lack thereof) have already resulted in a successful rewrite of a tune that was driving me bonkers. Finally, for what it's worth, I'm not only not a 'book person' when learning something, but have no use for 'success formulas' and can smell snake oil a mile away---and this sure aint either. Thank you, Dr. Sheila. You've made me a better songwriter.

So far this is a great book. Good for beginners who need to add structure to their writing. A note: this book seems like a good starting point and a good guideline as tohow to start writing. MY ONLY COMPLAINT: The example songs are old and outdated and therefore makes it somewhat hard for the younger reads. That's it. Enjoy.

In this book, Sheila Davis has designed a course of study that beautifully introduces the concepts of songwriting in an understandable and helpful order. Being a teacher, I value any book that offers students a chance to build skills through practical exercises.Davis's exercises allow the student to explore concepts in whatever song style in which they write.What I like best about this workbook is the section on "The Whole Brain." Once students have mastered the craft of lyric writing, Davis focuses on means of finding inspiration and beginning the writing process.This book was a tremendous help to me and my fellow students as we began our journey into the world of songwriting. Thank you, Sheila Davis!

Sheila Davis has done an incredible job of clarifying what makes a great song and how to write it. It is not so much a book on creativity as a book on understanding the nuts and bolts of making your ideas into strong lyrics. She deals in detail with the elements of rhyme, Voice, viewpiont, time frame, setting. She has several challenging exercises that really get you thinking about options for your lyrics. She also delves in to using the whole brain and helping you unleash ideas. This book is not about getting published or the business of writing, it is about the principles that apply to all lyrics, regardless of style. I highly recommend this!

I do not know Sheila Davis, nor have I ever even met her, but I have been using her book for years in the university night school course I teach. This book, and her book, "The Craft of Lyric Writing," are easily the premier books in the field. She's the first one to offer a textbook approach to lyric writing, to really put into words what goes on, subconsciously, when one writes a lyric, the how to's, the do's, and the don'ts. If there was a "Grammy" for song "book" writing, she would win it, hands down.