Need help with writing lyrics?

Welcome to Fluther. Usually, it is easier to write lyrics once you have the tune composed.

Just keep writing, if you feel a tune or phrasing, write it down. I don’t do the tune first, I do words and phrasing first.

I don’t think you can say that it’s easier to write lyrics once you have the tune down. It really depends on the person and how that person likes to work. For me, it’s easier to write lyrics first. I don’t know what kinds of poetry you write, but remember that it’s important to keep and eye on form, rhythm and possibly (and that would be desirable) rhyme as you write your lyrics.
The best advice is to listen to your favorite songs and read the lyrics as you do so. Inspiration is the most important thing. It’s vital.

I unfortunately do not have any advice to offer. To me writing music is a great mystery. Musical and lyrical abilities do not always coincide. There are many examples of musical pairs where one person wrote the tunes and the other contributed the lyrics. Some examples are Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Bacharach and David. For your amusement, check out the relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan. Scroll down about half way to the section titled “Carpet Quarrel.”

Hmmm… When writing music, I try to think of the subject/theme I want to write my song about and then just jot ideas and phrases that sound good to me down. Then comes the melody… But it seems like you’ve got most of your lyrics written down already, if you’re going to use your poems :) Try experimenting with setting a melody to some of the key phrases from your poems and let that guide you to make your song. Often you only need a little idea to start. :)

When I write songs, sometimes the lyrics come first, sometimes the melody. I’ve had times when the rhythm of the lyrics might suggest a melody; but on the other hand, sometimes I might get a melody in my head that is crying for lyrics. Sometimes it is a story line that suggests a song.

Like any kind of writing including songwriting, there are countless ways to do it, each unique to the writer’s creative makeup. I know that sentence isn’t going to help you write those songs, and I have no particular advice except to assure you there’s no “right” or “wrong” way; there’s only your way.

Many highly successful songwriters work with a partner. Rodgers and Hart come to mind. They turned out some of America’s finest music. But interestingly, after Hart died, Rodgers collaborated with Hammerstein in an even more prolific and successful partnership, and they worked quite differently together. Check it out.