Harry Nilsson
Lyric guide

How to Write a Song

Read How to Write a Song lyrics by Harry Nilsson on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Harry Nilsson Canonical path: /harry-nilsson/how-to-write-a-song Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

How to Write a Song

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How to write a song

How to write a song

How to write a song

How to write a song

If you write it on guitar

Place your guitar upon your knee

If you write it on piano

Don't do that

Place your fingers on the

Strings of your guitar

Not your piano

If you write it on piano, don't do that

Now strum or press together

Feeling, this might take a little time

Now think of something sad or something funny

Which inevitably brings us to the rhyme

Let's assume you're just an asshole

And there's nothing in your pain

It might help if you remember

These helpful little hints

Don't try to rhyme (sumba?) with anything

That goes for homage as well

But notice how cleverly

I just used them both

And all I have to do

Is rhyme well

You've got to be tricky

Because to avoid these words takes talent

So never ever trap yourself

Like that, or you'll end up saying words like

Oh, balent or falent

Or dalent or

Oh, I'm sure you'll catch on fast

Now some tips on tempo

And some subjects to avoid

Like the use of the word bandit

Unless you really have to say it

And that's for 'tempo'

And if you say 'time'

That's strictly up to you

Because that depends on how you play it

Now let's do (it) once

Now think of a rhyme

Now that's it, you're doing fine

Think of the good time

We just had together

If you practice these instructions

On the board of some new sale

If you listen very carefully

I'm sure you'll shout it there

I said shout

Shout it

Why, heheh, That rhymes with talent

That takes talent

That is talent

Oh my God, oh

Shout it rhymes with talent

That takes talent

That is talent

Oh

I cannot stand it

Woah

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Who performs "How to Write a Song"?

Harry Nilsson performs "How to Write a Song", and this lyric page sits inside the Harry Nilsson catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "How to Write a Song"?

Yes. The related section below points to Take 54 and Dayton, Ohio 1903 with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Harry Nilsson?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Harry Nilsson's lyric pages.

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