Don't think about the pieces you lost. Start another notebook and go from there. I lost a notebook for 13 years, wrote new stuff, then found the old notebook and used my new skills to improve the old pieces.
How to Build a Song/Write a Lyrics Poem From Scratch
1. What to write about
Think of something or someone that inspires you
Something or someone that bothers you
Something or someone that changed your life
A person you admire
A childhood or travel memory
A small incident in a moment that reversed itself in your life
Any subject it seems no one talks about
2. How to write it
Pick a melody in your head or a catch phrase that you like and just flesh it out.
You can change any song idea after getting stuck for some other new angle or different idea. Don't stay stuck long. Use your journal. Catch ideas that don't yet fit for later.
Use a rhyming dictionary, thesarus (directory of concepts!) or some creativity exercise.
Oh yeah....keep doing it. Someone once said "there's no such thing as a genius, just someone who practiced 100,000 times".
3. Format for familiarity
People often write lyrics as poetry, but fight the usual rhyming and formatting most
popular songs use. It's your choice, but it also depends heavily on whether your target
audience is going to "get" your work if you get away from a standard AABA format with
a solid chorus and hook, or whether the object is to try new creative or innovative ideas.
In the end, you decide how and what to tell the world. Personally, I believe in choruses,
familiar rock/country/blues formats and whatever gets your audience to sing along.
Usually, less is more and repeating a key line once or twice makes a point stand out.
4. Standing on the shoulders of giants
Someone somewhere blew you away with a song or two. What was it about
that song that you liked? Would you like to try and make a song that
blows people away like that too?
Emulate your idols without copying, or be inspired by a song you just
heard on the radio.
Believe in what you're doing. The only thing the greats (Dylan, Lennon,
etc.) had in common was the belief that they could change the world by
doing what they did. They were right.
5. Exhibit A - from the old notebook
The Girls With The High IQ
Just off work, going berserk,
Wondering what the night will bring
Looking for fun with almost anyone,
Anywhere or anything!
You’ve got the loot, and spirit to boot
You want to have a good time
There is one kind of girl, you’ll find,
That’s perfect for your frame of mind!
CHORUS 1
The Girls With The High IQ
Always know what to do
For competitive action and high satisfaction
It’s The Girls With The High IQ
Girls in bars are Friday night stars
All they ever want is a drink
Girls that are “tens” own all of their friends
They don’t know or care what you think
Popular places with no social graces
Are no place for looking, for me
The best place to see them is in a museum,
Computer store or library
CHORUS 2
The Girls With The High IQ
Always know what to do
For higher learning and hot fires burning
It’s The Girls With The High IQ
BRIDGE
So try - Under all that control,
So shy - There’s an untested soul!
So try - Yeah, bookworms are fun!
So shy - They really need someone
CHORUS 3
The Girls With The High IQ
Always know what to do
That wonderful wit will give you a fit
It’s The Girls With The High IQ, yeah
CHORUS 1
The Girls With The High IQ
Always know what to do
For competitive action and high satisfaction
It’s The Girls With The High IQ
Laughing Dolphin Music