Writing Better Lyrics, Second Edition

Writing Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics. Featuring updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from more than 20 chart-topping songs, Writing Better Lyrics gives you all of the professional and creative insight you need to write powerful lyrics and put your songs in the spotlight where they belong.
A professor of lyric writing at Berklee College of Music, Pattison, who has worked with such professionals as Gillian Welch and John Mayer, guides aspiring songwriters through the components of successful songwriting in this updated and expanded version of his 1995 work. Containing 50 songwriting exercises, examples from popular songs, and new chapters on couplets, common meter, and prosody, this handbook covers techniques for lyric development, verse continuity, and avoiding cliches, as well as tips for working with a co-writer. Anecdotes from Pattison's life and career illustrate key points and chapters include diagrams explaining his methodologies. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)