Kevin (et al.), it can be done other ways. Lyricists don't have to be, or become, musicians; they just have to understand how it works.

What I counsel people to do is steep themselves in writing that's from an oral tradition. Stuff that was intended to be *performed* rather than read. The big epic poems--Homer, Virgil, &c. Cicero's and Winston Churchill's speeches. Cowboy poetry (and that includes Dr. Seuss, who really was good at that genre). You need to get a sense (my opinion, of course) how words are used not just for their meaning, but their *sound* and their *rhythm*. And there are poets who crossed the line, so to speak, and became songwriters--Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen. Look how their words were designed to fit music.

And then apply *those* tricks to your lyrics. Doesn't mean you shouldn't learn to play an instrument (I keep telling myself that's why I got the banjo--it wasn't just to look at). But it doesn't mean you have to get good at it right away.

Joe

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