Hey Songwriters, how about a few tips?

I'm curious as to creative process, any thoughts and input are welcome. How do you do it? Do you start with lyrics? Or do you start with a riff or chord progression and then write lyrics? I find that I am constantly coming up with interesting snippets, verses, etc. but actually crafting these into a decent song is a long and arduous process, which often grinds to a halt mainly due to my being overly self-critical. I also think I over complicate things. Some of the best songs are also the simplest. Beck's new CD comes to mind, not to mention Ryan Adams' work.
I think I had read where Andy Partridge of XTC used to listen to songs he liked and write down symbols to indicate intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. so he would have a 'pattern' of the song. Then he would use this to construct his own totally different pieces. I thought this was an interesting approach and have tried it. It helps.
Any input appreciated. thanks -b

You know how you can't really learn anything from a book? Well, here's the exception that proves the rule:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1581150938/104-4799499-1980717?v=glance

This is GREAT stuff from a commercially successful songwriter who really has "been there, done that." Moreover, she knows how to <u>write</u> about it. Highly recommended.

Now maybe some of our Nashville brethren (and cistern?) can chime in, because that's where a lot of the best writers in the biz are. – CS

the better ones any way , myself or my songwriting Partner usually come up with a melody first , it can be a chorus or a verse , it may start as a verse then become a chorus or even a bridge but its all about the melody IMHO . then we will find some nice chords that will support the melody, we usually end up with the simplest chords to support, without interfering with the voice.
then as we're "working out the parts" we think about the beat , joining everything up , but first and formost everything supports the melody.

ever have a great chord progression but cant figure out what to do with it? or a great riff. ? i do all the time
but its not until we find the melody that things come together.

thanks
Martin
"I would kill for a Nobel Peace Prize" *Steven Wright.

I have also heard of folks who will start with a chord progression, write it down and basically circle notes in each chord and pull those out as a melody (or at least as a means of trial and error experimentation to get to a melody).
Thanks -B