Customer Reviews

The Craft of Lyric Writing

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...Davis catalogues the fundamentals of the craft, from lyric structure to rhyme and meter to avoiding common pitfalls. She makes all of this easy to understand. Every one who wants to write lyrics should buy this book.

Singer-songwriters be warned: this book is written by a non-performing, professional lyricist. Those not trying to write a Top-40 hit should take Davis' comments about appropriate subject matter with a grain of salt. Davis' prose is what you'd expect from someone who writes catchy songs for a living: hokey and salesmanlike.

None of this detracts from the basic truth of the book, that clarity and specificity are virtues in writing, while obtuseness and vagueness can never successfully pass for depth. For her examples Davis sticks to truly well-written songs; for the most part she does not hold certain genres superior to others. In sum, the woman knows of what she speaks. Read this book.

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, "Successful 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 bookwriting, she would win it, hands down.

If you want THE book on lyric writing, this is it! Sheila Davis's highly readable work has inspired beginning as well as experienced writers. I should know! Thanks to Sheila, my CD of 20 of my original songs, I'M IN LOVE WITH MY COMPUTER, was named "One of the Best Cabaret CDs of `98" by InTheatre Magazine. Sheila is not only a published songwriter, but also a supportive workshop teacher. Her book reflects her teaching style: highly accessible but thought-provoking at the same time. She gives examples for every point she makes.Reading the book is the next best thing to working in person with her, which I've had the privilege of doing. I also highly recommend her workbook "Successful Lyric Writing,"particularly helpful to the lyricist starting out, and "The Songwriter's Ideabook" which is wonderful for any songwriter looking for a creative boost!

To know your craft is power. Having read Sheila's book, studied with Sheila for 6 years, moved to Nashville as a songwriter, and written with hit songwriters in Nashville for the last 7 years, I cannot imagine being a songwriter without this book. It has inspired me, taught me, and is always there to refer to time and again. I believe every serious songwriter would benefit from this book. Sheila is a songwriter who knows her craft and has laid it all out in this easy to read, easy to follow, inspiring book. Go on, get the power!

If you want the nuts and bolts of lyricwriting at your fingertips this is it. Not only does this book touch on the subject of lyricwriting but the creative process as well. My lyrics have become more focused and structured and writers block is a thing of the past. Also the references made to other authors, books and songwriters has turned me on to a whole new world of literature. My greatest fear as a lyricwriter is to have my work rejected because I overlooked a fundamental lyricwriting principle. "The Craft of Lyricwriting" has eliminated this fear.

This is THE book to learn the tools to write excellent lyrics for pop music. It systematically explores techniques and presents successful examples of their use. Yes, it plods like a school textbook, but it is written by a successful teacher who has mastered her craft. Yes, some examples are old, but they still illustrate excellence in action. Some other books are certainly quicker and more entertaining reads, but if your goal is to write the very best lyrics you possibly can, you are only hurting yourself if you do not work carefully through this book, however long it takes. Then do it again, and keep it handy for future reference.

This book proves that Lyricism is a craft that can be taught, not a gift that you either have or have not. In reading it I have already identified which of my lyric ideas are the strongest, which ones need a lot of work, and which ones need to be thrown out all together. Every page of this book gives you more tools to work with to push your lyric writing in the right direction.
Much of the book is written about popular music (but not necessarily "pop" music) with a lot examples from older country songs and theatre songs. However, no matter what style of music you want to write, the same principles apply. If you are looking to write quality lyrics for a band, a singer, or for publication, you MUST read this book.

I've read about 12 books on songwriting since 1979. This bookand everything by Pat Pattison is light years ahead of everything elsein my opinion. Inspired by these two and years of writing and studying, I'm now writing one myself. :-) Great book! Most people think of it as one of, if not THE best. Dave

For songwriters, and particularly lyricists, Sheila Davis has been a guiding light for many decades. Her book still stands as one of the three pillars that make up the 'must-have' foundation for great lyric writing. The other two which have emerged in the years since Davis first wrote "The Craft of Lyric Writing", are
Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting, by Bill Pere and Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison. These three books, with their specific examples, analyses, and techniques, provide different yet fully complementary perspectives and approaches to lyric writing, crossing all musical styles and forms. Together, they create a synergy that is sure to give you a formidable toolset for creating the best possible lyrics.

If your goal is to learn all you ever need to know about lyric writing, then this is the book you must own. I have read many books on this subject, and this book is clearly, the authority on the subject. And because this book brings forth a sound foundation for meter and rhythm, it is perfect for high school and college students that are studying poetry; I should know, by reading this book, I got all A's in my English classes where poetry was taught. And being a songwriter for over 10 years, I can't say enough about what a great help this book has been to all my research in the field of popular music composition. The book is full of examples from newer pop songs, but also gives examples of Tin-Pan Alley songs that are worth noting; upon listening to the Tin-Pan-Alley songs, my taste in music has expanded.