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Forums > Prince: Music and More > how do you think prince go about writing his lyrics ?
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Thread started 01/07/05 1:18pm

benjamino71

how do you think prince go about writing his lyrics ?

take the song FIVE WOMEN - a beautiful piece of art. how did he do it. do you think he sits down, thinks it out, writes it down and then puts a melody and chords to it, then finally record it?

or do you think he does like i do, when i write a song; one line of lyric comes to mind, i build it into a melody line, and work it from there - with no masterplan to start out with?

thoughts?
knowledge?
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Reply #1 posted 01/07/05 2:25pm

spoida

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With prince its difficult because there is so much material. A different approach could have been taken over different periods.

i think though there is a strong feeling of jamming on an instrument until a distinct phrase stands out. then he will try and build from there (some circular chord structure) and add lyrics which suit the feel and chords.

the lyrics may come through a relatively uncommon phrase put in a different context (forever in my live, sometimes it snows in april, soul sanctuary).

The phrase '5 women' may have come through an article mocking the lifestyle of celebrities. Then extending the '5' to emphasize broken heart story (it is a blues feel) and deliver a hook.

Thats the kind of way i pick up ideas. Once i have a phrase, i build a story round it.
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Forums > Prince: Music and More > how do you think prince go about writing his lyrics ?