books on song writing

.can anyone recommend a good book on song writing?

Yes, as a matter of fact. :cool: It's called "You Can Write Great Lyrics" (catchy title, huh? Hee...) ;-) Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Write-Great-Lyrics/dp/0898793637

It's good at helping you focus in on the story inherent in the song. Hope it helps, CS

"How to write songs on guitar" by Rikky rooksby, pub. by "backbeat books", $20.00
I looked for two to three years to find a books this concise and informative, Tells when and why to use chords. Good luck!

I should say that this book would be for my 16yr old son who is progressing along well in his playing of other peoples music. he has been taking lessons 1 or 2 times a week for about 4 years. I will look into these above and any more suggestions would be welcomed.

A long time ago I got myself in trouble with this thread, (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/11089-melody-dead.html) which starts with a quote from Jimmy Webb's Tunesmith. I still like his book though, and I've read a bunch.

Yes, as a matter of fact. :cool: It's called "You Can Write Great Lyrics" (catchy title, huh? Hee...) ;-) Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Write-Great-Lyrics/dp/0898793637

It's good at helping you focus in on the story inherent in the song. Hope it helps, CS

I second this book, but as its title implies, it's only about lyrics. The first two years that I was writing, "You Can Write Great Lyrics" was my songwriting bible!