Let’s admit it. When we hear dance music, it is hard to ignore the beat. So, we tap our feet, snap our fingers, tilt our heads to the left and to the right, and we sing along with it. That rush of excitement made us dance (when there’s no one watching) or if you are brave enough, grab someone to dance along with you.
Okay, that is how I imagined we would typically do it. But what about if we read song lyrics? What would you do aside from singing it to yourself?
This is your writing prompt number 5.
You can sing the song, or you can do something with it.
When we listen to music, it grabs our attention, and we momentarily get lost in the tune, beat and melody of the song. Sometimes we don’t even realise that every word or phrase on those songs convey some thoughts and emotions.
Because every song has a story behind it.
Reading song lyrics can make our minds wander around. The words in the song can inhibit new ideas, images, unlock memories and emotions.
We can create something new or write a new story, poem, or even a new song based on the song lyrics. The possibilities are endless.
Okay, let’s begin. Let’s do it one bite-size at a time.
For those who love the “Blues”, here are a few lines that would be great to start with.
GIVE ME ONE REASON (By Tracy Chapman)
Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around
Said I don’t wanna leave you lonely
You got to make me change my mind
MISTY BLUE (By Dorothy Moore)
Oh, it’s been such a long, long time
Look like I’d get you off of my mind
But I can’t
Just the thought of you (just the thought of you)
Turns my whole world misty blue (misty blue)
Oh honey, just the mention of your name (just your name)
Turns the flicker to a flame
Listen to me good, baby
I think of the things we used to do
And my whole world turns (misty blue) misty blue
For the lovers of “Country Music”, I got these for you…
HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT
(By Kris Kristofferson, Lorrie Morgan)
Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Laying’ soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning’ light
All I’m takin’ is your time
Help me make it through the night
SUSPICIOUS MINDS (By Elvis Presley)
We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can’t you see
What you’re doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I say?
We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds (suspicious minds)
And we can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds
Feel like “Dancing”? I got that covered too…
HAPPY (By Pharrell Williams)
It might seem crazy what I’m ’bout to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
Huh, because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do
MAN IN THE MIRROR (By Michael Jackson)
I’m gonna make a change,
For once I’m my life
It’s gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
You don’t have to be old to like “Jazz”. Raise your hand if you are…
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD (By Louis Armstrong)
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”
DON’T KNOW WHY (By Nora Jones)
I waited ’til I saw the sun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I left you by the house of fun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I don’t know why I didn’t come
When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand
My heart is drenched in wine
But you’ll be on my mind
Forever
When we hear the name Michael Jackson, what comes to mind is “Rhythm and Blues“.
ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE (By Michael Jackson)
One day in your life
You’ll remember a place
Someone touching your face
You’ll come back and you’ll look around, you’ll
One day in your life
You’ll remember the love you found here
You’ll remember me somehow
Though you don’t need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You’ll remember one day
END OF THE ROAD (By Boyz II Men)
Girl you know we belong together
I don’t have no time for you to be playing with my heart like this
You’ll be mine forever baby
You just wait
We belong together
And you know that I am right
Why do you play with my heart?
Why do you play with my mind?
Said we’d be forever
Said it’d never die
How could you love me and leave me and never
Say goodbye?
If you want fantastic music that “Rock”, I got you covered too…
MEMORIES (Elvis Presley)
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories
Sweet memories
BLOWING IN THE WIND (By Bob Dylan)
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Some people say music is good for the “Soul” …
LEAN ON ME (By Bill Withers)
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on
HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (By Al Green)
I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again
Had enough?
Music can lift our spirit and mood. It encourages us to seek inspiration to create something new.
Pen a story, a poem, a new song, or new characters for your story.
Use the power of words. Use those lyrics to inspire your creativity.
Till next time, remember – “Music eases the mind and puts all worries behind”.
And oh – as long as you don’t ask me to sing, we’ll be best friends forever.
See ya!
Ninagracia
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Lyrics: https://www.music.youtube.com/
Ninagracia 