thats not totally true. ithink you do need to hav some kind of natural ability and inclination, but that inclination can be nurtured and that ability developed. songwriting can be taught to a certain degree, but its true most should likely be self taught and learned through outward observance and introspection.

I agree with you chris

you shouldnt hav- imade a pretty big typo that ijuste noticed. all good now though- ha.

Just express the feelings of the things, people that inspirates you, and use these feelings on an instrument, and make words that define and describe these feelings.

ithink he meant "inspire you".

is there a site where they learn you how to write a song, with examples and all that stuf?!

hey sorry dude, it's taken me quite a while to reply to that!
ok, i don't really play any instruments.... i can't read or write music in note or tab form, but i can play a tiny bit of guitar and keyboard.
i'm going to get guitar lessons as well, but instruments aside, I sing, and hopefully I can follow that up. Not bragging but I'm not a bad singer, and my old music teacher is helping me with a few things, too.

Back in the old days, I only played drum and didn't do the song writing. It was all upto our guitarist (ie the vocalist) . But then i picked up guitar years ago and started writing songs since then. But the weirdest thing is that tho' i play guitar, i can't read chords. Usually i juz pick up my guitar and do some fingering and sweeping. If there is any chance that i make something cool. I will juz remember it and play it to my mates, and ask them to play along or add anythings that they find appropriate. Editing and modifying all along.I know it's not a typical way of writing song, and i have no idea if anyone who does the same out there, but it works fine for us. at least many find our songs nice.
Here are some demos of ours that i wanna post and would luv to have comments from u guys, upcoming soon.

I'm curious what you consider 'writing a song'? I mean, are you talking about actually writing the music/chord progression/etc or just the lyrics?

http://www.populationrecords.com/songs.html

What I meant was primarily the lyrics, as I am interested in the literary side of things as well as the rhythm, pace etc. which comes with the composition, perhaps starting off the lyrics, or perhaps with the lyrics influencing the music. I meant the actual writing of the lyrics, though.