I used to write pages of lyrics and try to cram as many words as possible into a song. But now, I sort of feel the opposite way. Oftentimes, I have a really good idea for a sound but don't feel compelled to write many lyrics for it. Not always out of choice; at times I want to say a lot, but just can't think of what I want to say.
Often, it's about getting the listener into a certain emotional state, and using words to guide them into it. Being too verbose and overly detailed in lyrics may come off as preachy. With "I'm Afraid of Americans" by David Bowie, for example, it's a song that he (and many critics) have said a lot of things about, yet the lyrics in the song itself are very basic.
Often, it's about getting the listener into a certain emotional state, and using words to guide them into it. Being too verbose and overly detailed in lyrics may come off as preachy. With "I'm Afraid of Americans" by David Bowie, for example, it's a song that he (and many critics) have said a lot of things about, yet the lyrics in the song itself are very basic.