Writing a Fun Song

No, I’m not talking just about the humorous or novelty tune, here. I’m talking about writing a song that makes you smile when you hear it, although that could be a humorous or novelty tune. Any song from Walt Disney is an example, here, since, even when they make you cry, you have fun doing it. You can do all genres of music, and all topics in this manner, but you really have to be relaxed and enjoying yourself to do this, or you won’t be able to pull it off convincingly. So watch a few Monty Python episodes, or put on a few children’s records to get you in the mood, and let’s get to work….

PUT ON A SILLY HAT

This may sound incredibly weird, but sometimes dressing the part can really help you accomplish the end result you want. Trying to write a song as if you were a lost puppy? Perhaps tying your hair into two ponytails on either side of your head and feeling them flop a bit would help, as would wearing a wig or a hat with ears to get the same effect, then bark or howl a few times for fun. If you are trying to write about a cowboy, get out your hat and some boots and wear those and watch a few westerns, or go for a horseback ride. The important thing, here, is to let that little kid in you out to play for a bit, then write down what you feel. Don’t bother to make it rhyme if you are writing lyrics, and just record whatever notes sound right if you are writing an arrangement or melody—you can always edit, later. While editing, repeat this process over and over again until you are giggling at your results. It’s hard not to write in a fun way and not have that come across if you are actually having fun, so enjoy yourself, and then get it down on paper or tape!

GET OUT THE SCRAPBOOK AND PHOTOS

What were the best times of your life? What were you doing? What did you do that plastered a huge smile on your face that nothing could shake for several days, and still does when you think about it? Write about that—what happened, the smells, sounds, words, tastes, textures, views and feelings you experienced. What music was playing, or were there some notes that you wish were there as your backup music? Here is your big chance to write the soundtrack for the movie of the most fun things that you ever experienced. Open up that old program from that school play or that bunch of vacation photos, and surround yourself with those and sing or play to them. Do this until you feel that grin come back, and you can see yourself doing those things while this music plays in the background—can you see this video playing on VH-1 and others enjoying it as much as you did? Somehow, I bet you can—give it a try.

Go To Page: 1 2