Music Composition, First Phases: What comes first? Words or Melody?

[jodymichelle]

What usually comes first when you're beginning the process of writing a song? Do you write the words first or the melody? Or do both happen at the same time?



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[Kim Welch]

For many composers writing for film, the scene comes first and the melody follows the emotion of the picture. For songs, it varies; some writers start with a hook line, others with a melody. Composers, which comes first for you?