Spot on, Herb!

Thanks so much guys! Can't wait to get working on those verses!!! 

You probably already received more advice here than you can feasibly follow, but like some others, I'd suggest working the verse first: one phrase at a time without filling in the chords, just use a bass note and a fourth or fifth at most so that you are able to freely melodicize over something really basic.  If you come up with a surprising and natural pre-chorus after an interesting verse the chorus will be better for it.

Well, I finally did it - I turned my computer off, sat down with just a bass and played the verse riff over and over and over again. Within 10 minutes I had a couple of melody ideas, and then a handful of lyric ideas.
 
That's one method tried and proven!
 
Thanks again guys! only another 20 or so songs to go! :) 
 

Songwriting... bad habits


rhyming anything with 'baby'.

batsbrew

Songwriting... bad habits


rhyming anything with 'baby'.

 
Yup... predictable rhymes....

Yeah maybe

I see nothing wrong with your process Mr. Egg.
 
Everyone has stronger leanings to one aspect or another of the writing process. I have no choice but to start with what comes first and then work off that. Lyrics are my weak point. Some songs take 20 years to finish, but SO WHAT! In the end it becomes exactly what it should be. If I were to rush it or collab with someone else, it wouldn't turn out the same or be as right or good as it eventually becomes. Not that there's anything wrong with collaborating if that's what you want to do, but how many painters, sculptors, or photographers collaborate on a single work? For me the artistic journey is personal. I may ask for help along the way but ultimately the end result is mine.
 
I remember one mildly famous songwriter downing the most famous and influential songwriters of the time because they "couldn't read music" as if that should rightly diminished their efforts. Apparently it didn't.
 

batsbbrew

Songwriting... bad habits
 
rhyming anything with 'baby'.

 
Maybe, but then again
Lately, some think it quite
Stately to do so
As it may be
Not so easy
As one likely
Thinks
There is no wrong way to write a song...  .