true stories vs made up lyrical stories

New Zealand
July 18, 2009 8:37pm CST
Many people I've talked to say songwriting should be about real life experiences, and this is the only way to make lyrics credible. However artists like Kanye West say they never write about real life, and make quite popular songs. Is it ok either way? Is it whatever works? What do you think?
2 responses
@eysian (125)
• United States
19 Jul 09
if they dont write about real life, it usually doesnt sound good or can easily be overplayed. example: lady gaga - overplayed songs example: hey there delilah - great sentimentality theres a difference between being popular for a certain time period and being popular for a LONNNGGGG time.
@bigott (618)
• India
19 Jul 09
As a matter of fact I think its totally based on your imagination at very instance you are writing the lyrics.Last Week I wrote a song 'Journey through my life' and in real I journeyed to nowhere ( I'm talking about theosophical journeys ).. at that time I dunno from where I got that idea but as lyrics sounds good with my music I pen them down.Moreover I think Writing lyrics also depend on your music I mean if your music is pretty sad you cant write happy lyrics for them instead you have to make some sad lyrics like you just broke with you girlfriend and this world is the most cruel place to be in.Well thats my idea of writing lyrics.