A question about posting lyrics...

[Gypsy Picker]

I've always been a bit ambivalent about posting my lyrics and songs -- not because of potential criticism (I want that), but because I feel like a piece of me is hanging out there in public (with no clothes on). I recently deleted all of my lyrics from TTT because to me they are very personal and I didn't like the idea of leaving them out there.

I'm not saying it makes any sense, but I wonder two things -- do any of you feel similar? Would it be bad form on my part to remove my lyrics once a thread has run its course? What if I post a lyric with a predefined time limit - say 30 days? My thinking is that lyrics are sometimes as fleeting as songs themselves, just snapshots of a moment in time.

I got an email after deleting my lyrics from TTT that essentially said it was hurtful to the other posters on the thread to remove the underlying heart of the discussion. I apologize to everyone who did post on those threads if I've offended.

Thanks all for your input.

[Cribbs]

I think seeing as how they are your lyrics, you can do what you wish with them. If your goal is critique, then a predefined time might be wise. Plus, you would hate to leave them out there and then hear your lyrics on the radio one day because some clearinghouse lifted them.

Not likely, but the point is that they are yours, you can do what you feel with them.

I have never posted mine because I am afraid of being ripped to pieces, as my style of music is a little different from a lot of songs I read on here. Songs that are very near to me, I would feel like I was exposing myself. I understand how you feel there.

DC

[mccoyblues]

If your concern is that you somehow lose control of the lyrics once you post them in a thread why not post a link to them instead. Archive the lyrics at a site you control and post the link with the understanding that they will only be available for a brief time. Something long enough to leave them available for discussion, but way shorter than forever. Once the thread has died you can remove the link.

[Doug]

I don't feel that way about mine (cause they are no good ) but I do understand. I'd do what ever makes you feel right, they're your lyrics.

[Cornflake]

Scott, I think I understand how you feel. Towards the end, I quit posting lyrics at TTT because I no longer had confidence that I was among friends. I recently thought about deleting my lyrics over there. We are exposing ourselves somewhat when we post lyrics. I also don't mind being told that a song of mine is no good--many of them aren't--but only when I hear it from someone who I know is trying to be constructive.

I'd say: do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

[Gypsy Picker]

Sounds like there is agreement (so far, anyway) that it would not be viewed as improper to remove the lyrics after a time. I think I'll preface my future posts with an expiration date of sorts. After all, I'm not interested in storing lyrics here, but like Cornflake says, just in hearing constructive criticisms from my friends. Thanks folks.

[Deleted]

Its funny you brought up the subject about posting lyrics at the forum. I know I had often thought about putting some songs on the forum but never did...but you bring up a good point that we could delete them after a certain time.

Another story about songs: I was asked by a friend of mine to look at some lyrics to see if I could put some music with the words and of course I did. They were simple three chord songs one humorous and two serious or sad songs. I almost posted the lyrics here but I thought better not because there are his lyrics not mine. Anyway my friend kept wanting me to put them on CD which I did and gave him a set of CDs. A couple of weeks ago my daughter comes home from school and tells me that our neighbor boy, a friend of the grandson of my the songwriter was playing the songs I recorded at school. It turns out that my friend's grandson had copied the songs off his laptop and gave copies to his friends. I did call him and let him know that his songs have been copied. Of course I wasn't mad and a little flattered because the kids got a kick out of the humorous song but I have to say I guess I was a little disappointed that the songs were being passed around.

So I'll raise the question to you guys, would you guys feel a little indifferent about that situation if you found out that your songs or songs you had collaborated on was now in the public so to speak?

[Cornflake]

rj, I've been so pleased and flattered on the occasions when I've heard other people doing my stuff that nothing would have offended me, unless they'd been making millions off of it and refusing to share.

[Deleted]

After the initial nervousness, I lost all inhibitions about posting songs for other people's critique. I did that a lot with some of the songs from Interim Reports. But it was more because I was seeking help on the technical recording and mixing side and I posted them on these kinds of forums.

But to the point: I have, I think on two ocassions posted just the lyrics to a song (once recently over at TTT) and it was a strange feeling. I think it was Dylan who once said that a song was a song but a poem was a naked person. Something to that effect.

Poems and song lyrics are not the same thing (duh). I think it's easily forgotten that lyrics have a rhythm and sensibility that mostly only works with the bespoke musical accompanyment (intrumental and vocal).

I'd post a lyric (or part of one) to illustrate something or for a bit of fun - but never, ever, with the view to conveying anything meaningful about The Song. The song is the words and the music. Lyrics on their own are as useful as a dance without the music.

Sorry to be so serious.

because I feel like a piece of me is hanging out there in public

There, that's better.

[Deleted]

cornflake said:

rj, I've been so pleased and flattered on the occasions when I've heard other people doing my stuff that nothing would have offended me, unless they'd been making millions off of it and refusing to share.

Oh yeah if there were dollars involved I too would feel differently...but maybe everybody feels a little protective the first time being exposed.

[godotwaits]

Scott. I just did likewise. Only got one response anyway so it didn't make a lot of sense just hanging out there anyway. I get my feedback at open mikes. I'm not sure the intention of the Songwriting really works.

[millring]

I couldn't agree more with your sentiment, Scott. I don't post lyrics, but I often post a bit of my creative self. When I do I feel REALLY vulnerable. I've always been thankful for the delete function.

It's a risky bidniz. I think it can be a raw feeling when others criticize -- but we purposely expose our thoughts for that criticism, and steel ourselves for it. What really hurts is a resounding silence.

ouch.

[kariseal]

I just started songwriting, very late in my career I recently went to a songwriting workshop and was amazed how much we focused on lyric writing and so little on the "music" part. I think one reason is you can write down lyrics and they are what they are, but music is kind of fleeting, and is harder to pin down objectively. It is easier for someone to critique words, and say they don't like this one or that one......I felt very unsure about the "words" part of songwriting.

After some struggles with this, I have found that lyrics don't always portray a song wholly. In fact usually when I am listening to a new song the music appeals first to me, and then the words. It is hard to read lyrics sometimes and feel the song. Sometimes the lyrics are the most important part, but I don't always want to read them first.

So I guess I am saying for several reasons I wouldn't feel comfortable posting lyrics....Plus yeah it is really scarry stuff putting any original anything out there in the real world.

[Village Idiot]

Scott, if you're naked when you post your lyrics, why aren't there more women in Songwriting?

Anyway, like others have said, if they're your lyrics you can do whatever you want with them. So said you'd caveate your posts with an expiration date, which I think is a terrific idea.