Songwriting tips – ever wondered how to write a parody song? As a seasoned ‘relyricer’ on YouTube, let me share my 6 steps with you. I coined the phrase ‘relyric’ to describe the process of changing lyrics of existing songs to create something new. Relyriced songs are popular, and anybody can write one – just follow the six tips outlined in the video.

I encourage you to join in the challenge at the end as well – use the steps outlined in the video to create your own relyriced version of a popular song. Share your lyrics or video of you singing it with me (details in the video) and I will put together the new, relyriced song, using submitted work. Go on, it stretches your brain muscles, helps flex your creativity, and is FUN!

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Relyricing
01:36 – Step 1 – Choose your song
2:58 – Step 2 – Choose your new theme
4:53 – Step 3 – Can the original contribute towards to new?
6:57 – Step 4 – Create the key phrase
8:57 – Step 5 – Write the lyrics
13:18 – Watch a live example of relyricing
18:41 – Step 6 – Revisit and tweak
20:39 – Conclusion
21:07 – Relyricing Challenge!
24:10 – Backing track for Relyricing Challenge

Subscribe for more relyriced songs about life these days: https://youtube.com/c/shirleyserban?sub_confirmation=1

Share this video with a friend, your class, your creative writing group!: https://youtu.be/VgrLmymi7qs

? Watch next – My most popular songs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpGhWQ2tkoPxTy0n2gPRq7v8rDT_gJA5

? Recommended Playlist – My Covid songs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpGhWQ2tkoM11L7m8hLGIqv5O0TPREhj

? Keen on the Classic movies? You’ll enjoy this Playlist – My relyriced classic movie songs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpGhWQ2tkoP0tUcwVwd6yZtQ2YV8NpUP

? Listen to my a cappella songs here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpGhWQ2tkoPiB2Yt_NDOfWQbYgzED1tg

??? Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleyserban

? If you like what I do, please check out Patreon to see the many extra perks on offer for supporters: https://www.patreon.com/ShirleySerban
Or consider a one off PayPal donation towards my ongoing costs in producing these videos – https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=WZJU7MMSKKLPU

Thank you for choosing to watch some of my work – I hope it’s brought you some joy. Don’t be a stranger! Connect with a reaction and a comment – I’d love to hear from you.

source

By: wildsPosted on Categories : Categories : generalTags:

34 Replies to “Songwriting tips – how to write a parody song in 6 steps by relyricing!”

  1. Shirley, I have only recently discovered your brilliant videos. After watching this instructional presentation about how to create new lyrics for an existing song I realize that I am about two and a half years behind – shame on me. As I work my way through your creations I am struck by the faithfulness to the original song your efforts have. After watching your "how to" I better understand both how and why this is so. I have long admired the artist that can parody an existing song and have always thought of Weird Al as the ultimate writer of such efforts. That's all changed now, I find your parodies far superior to his and can't help but wonder if you shouldn't have a recording contract with someone. Just sayin'. As a final thought – I'd like to suggest a song that has long been one of my favorite songs – for the melody or tune but has lyrics that cry out for a re-write: COCAINE by Eric Clapton. I think it fits the prerequisites you spelled out and I would really like to see your treatment of it. fyi: I have always thought it could be a sort of love song entitled ELAINE. Looking forward to your continued presentations.

  2. Interesting. It's a much more intuitive, organic kind of process for me. I've composed 24 parodies to date (8/23/23), all but three of them since August '19, but I've never thought systematically about the process. I think it usually starts when I realize that some song I'm hearing or thinking of has lyrics that could have a different meaning, or that rhyme with something that particularly interests me, and I gradually build around that starting point until I've got something of satisfying length. Often the entire process occurs in my head. Sometimes, if I don't actually know the original lyrics by heart, I'll print it out on a sheet of paper so that I can write what I've thought of alongside the corresponding lines. If I'm not sure I know the whole melody, or discover that I don't after I've started composing, I'll watch a lyrics video a whole bunch of times until I can recite at least the whole tune, if not all the words, without fault. This process can result in a parody that's longer in terms of unique lyrics than the original, though the running time may be the same since I don't care for repeating verses without variation. So, for instance, my parody of "Windy" would probably play about the same length of time as The Association's classic recording, even though it has nearly three times as many unique lyrics (eight verses versus three in the original). It takes no effort to review what I've composed since it's pleasurable and more or less compulsive to review my creation over and over in my head for several days thereafter, in the course of which I'll sometimes realize there's a tweak to be made that sounds more natural or achieves a more perfect parody of the original.

  5. What a voice – what a talent – what a find – pure entertainment. Not smutty – just proper, good, clean humour delivered on point professionally. You truly are a breath of fresh air – thank you for giving us the privilege of being entertained by you.

  13. A year too late but here is my effort after a glass of wine and 10 minutes.

    When I get home I'll come out tonight, it just seems right
    I hope I'll be accepted then with little fright
    ?Some men will jeer some boys will doubt?
    Some ladies will just frown and pout?
    But my doing so will set my whole world alight.

  15. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who also does this! I've always thought I could give Wayne Brady a run for his money from Whose Line Is It? Ive thought about doing tshirts or actually recording some to raise money for uninsured patients testing positive to help with medical expenses or help with monthly expenses. I've always wondered why God gave me a gift like this, and yes it's a gift, to use it for more than being a female weird Al Yankovick without making any revenue to help others? Is it ever a issue with copyright infringement or trademark?

  16. Awesome! I asked below an other video how to make those parody songs and you gave me the link to this one. I write down all the steps and try to write one about a Bob Marley song "Don't worry about a thing"….because I am humming it every day on my way to work…something in the way like "Just bury all of your dreams, cause every little bill will melt them away….thank you teaching us this funny thing!

  20. an interesting thing is I invented my own characters for fun I've got a list of them get ready to laugh your socks off .

    Lew Surfer .
    Crabrella .
    Halucinathan .
    Mug Netto .
    Gallaghertron .
    Cy Cluts .
    Jean Gravey .
    Hulkerbey .
    Sinisturd .
    Jugger Mutt .
    Wander Worm Man .
    Tro Janis .
    Garth Vader .
    ObiMulan Kenobie .

    that is just some of what I have humor is fun and help me often so I'm greatful that it's around when I need it .

  25. Here's my Rolling Stones 'Paint it Black' relyric (sorry I can't sing it!). It's about the way some companies are putting up a lot of satellites, which are going to mess up astronomical research, and possibly mess up the appearance of the night sky:

    I see a satellite and I want it painted black
    No dazzle any more, they must all be turned black
    They all go passing by, blazing 5G as they go
    I have to turn my head, until they no more show

    I wanna see the satellites painted, painted black
    Black as night, black as coke
    I wanna see the stars, up shining in the sky
    I wan those critters painted, painted, painted black
    Yeah!

  30. Correction to my previous comment – I created a little book of yarn songs and the total rewritten songs is over 50 and would love to see them on YouTube, as they are quite popular in my small circle. Examples: Don't get to knit much anymore, I've got my yarn to keep me warm, Everybody drops a stitch sometime, I'm goin' to sit right down and knit myself a sweater, Ripping out is so hard to do, To all the scarves I wove before, etc.

Leave a Reply