Metaphor mechanics 101 [Songwriting technique]

The metaphoric turns of phrase that populate the lyrics of popular songs eventually become common idioms that we embrace and then eventually discard like all of the disposable elements of modern pop culture. Great songwriters, consciously or sub-consciously, learn how to spin these idioms into fresh lyrics.

Those of us who like to look under the hood to see what it is that makes language seem to jump off the page can devote their life to the study of metaphor mechanics but like the study of automotive mechanics, this is not for everyone.

A great way to learn how to create some original figurative language (without having to take 13 grades of English over again) is to try a more recreational and practical approach like the exercise that follows that I call "Metaphor Mechanics 101".

Try writing out a list of popular idioms (and song titles or lyrics) replacing some of the nouns and verbs with blank spaces. Look at any Songbook table of contents or a Dictionary of Popular ldioms for possible choices.

Save the ________ last for ________ of many ________

Help me ________ through the ________ seems to be the ________

If you could ________ my ________ has broken ________

Here comes the ________ You've got a ________

Now make a list of nouns and a separate list of verbs to take the place of all the words that were removed. The lists featured here were made from somewhat randomly selected words from a dictionary.

Nouns: bridge, face, failure, fear, fortune, hope, house, line, molehill, moment, mountain, pride, rain, smile, spirit, trail.

Verbs: ask, borrow, call, climb, fall, fear, find, learn, lie, say, search, smile, stand, walk.

The next step is to mix and match the various nouns and verbs by inserting them into the blank spaces of the idimos. Then try adding interesting descriptive words (adverbs, adjectives and pronouns), if needed, to create an original metaphor.

Save the last climb for someone else's mountain

I climbed a mountain made of many molehills

Help me smile through the face of my misfortune

My only hope seemed to be my greatest fear

If you could find the lies hidden in the face of all my pride

The spirit of the moment has now somehow been broken

You've got a smile that can always stop the rain

Here comes the fear of falling off the edge of this horizon

This exercise can be great for getting a new collaboration started as it does not commit or pressure anyone to have to be the first to bring a song idea as a sacrificial offering to the table. You also get a glimpse of how well your new potential writing partner thinks "on their feet".

It may also be handy to keep this exercise in mind for times when you are not able to write, i.e. dry spells, when you are too busy or when you might be struggling with a particularly difficult bridge section.

You also never know when an exercise like this can actually start you on the path to actually writing a song... Enjoy the ride (metaphorically speaking). James Linderman lives and works at theharmonyhouse, a music lesson, songwriting and music pre-production facility in Newmarket, ON. He is a collaborating songwriter and consultant for The Toronto Office of Catholic Youth and leads music workshops across the country.

James Linderman lives and works at theharmonyhouse, a music lesson, songwriting and music pre-production facility in Newmarket, ON. He is a collaborating songwriter and consultant for The Toronto Office of Catholic Youth and leads music workshops across the country. James has a Canadian University and American College education in music composition and is the author of The Contemporary Songwriters Workbook. For more information, contact theharmonyhouse@home.com.