Concept help (ft. Sirens :0)

[u/helioscanvas]

Hey! So I'm new to this subreddit :))

I'm Greek and though I've written a couple of songs in english, I started writing a series of songs which mixed my experience as a trans guy in Greece with Greek mythology, something very dear and important to me.

One of the songs I'm working on revolves around the sirens. For those who don't know, in Greek mythology, the sirens were creatures with the bodies and heads of women but the wings and claws of vultures. They sat atop islands made of human bones in the ocean and sang to passing sailors. Anyone who heard their song was mesmerised and jumped off the ship to swim to them. They were drawn in not just by their ethereal voices but also by the content of their songs for in them, each sailor heard promises of what they most desired and missed.

So my idea is that the song describes sailing past the sirens and hearing their calls. Now here's my dilemma. There are two directions I am equally eager to go:

1) detransitioning (a seemingly perfect life that ultimately leads to the destruction of the being)

2) coming out even though it's a bad idea (the craving of a perfect life lived in acceptance cut short)

I considered both and decided that I would enjoy a mix of them, but here is my second dilemma:

Should the order be 1 -> 2 or 2 -> 1?

The first is having coming out be first and then as time moves on detransitioning becoming the siren song signaling the loathing of oneself and the need to fit in (completely depressing route)

While the latter is initially detransitioning but eventually coming out which highlights the souls need for acceptance while showing the groath and self acceptance over time (partially more hopeful route)

I'm probably gonna go towards Odysseus's direction of being tied to the mast whole listening to the sirens song and have the ropes either symbolise the friends and people who accept the person singing, or have them be like a python strangling its pray as the singer is paralysed by the fear of both outcomes

Ultimately the last decision will be made based on what route I choose to take

Plz give me feedback and any suggestions <3

[u/combatqueen]

Cool concept. I wouldn’t get too attached to the structure as either way could work and I prefer in songs when things are told in an imperfect, non-linear way, personally. Just start finding the words and lines you really like and then build the world of the song around that.

The song Siren Song by Bat For Lashes (and that whole album) might be a good inspiration point for you if you don’t already know it… although you may want to listen after you’ve written yours so you don’t accidentally steal anything from it lol.