Creating Song Lyrics from an Image

I fed ChatGPT the images below.

I asked it to first analyze the image and then to write a song inspired by the image.

I provided no information about the image at all, just the image itself.

Test #1: Photo of Me

Here are the results:

Looking at the image you've uploaded, it portrays a man with a thoughtful and perhaps seasoned expression. He has an air of wisdom and experience, with a gentle touch of nostalgia in his eyes. This suggests a theme for the song that could be reflective, perhaps with a sense of looking back on life's journey, the roads traveled, and the lessons learned.

Here is a draft of lyrics inspired by the image:

Verse 1:
In the lines on his face, a story unfolds,
Weathered like leather, but his eyes hold gold.
Lives he has touched, roads he has roamed,
A lifetime of chapters, in the creases are sown.

Chorus:
Whispers of time, in the silence they weave,
Echoes of laughter, in the spaces between.
A gaze that has seen, the rise and the fall,
A soul standing tall, through it all.

Verse 2:
Each wrinkle a memory, each scar a tale,
A journey not finished, a ship still to sail.
Through storms and through calm, he's weathered it all,
With a heart that's still beating, refusing to stall.

Chorus:
Whispers of time, in the silence they weave,
Echoes of laughter, in the spaces between.
A gaze that has seen, the rise and the fall,
A soul standing tall, through it all.

Bridge:
In the quietude, reflections arise,
Of love that was lost, of hellos and goodbyes.
Yet in his smile, there's warmth that endures,
A spirit unbroken, a hope that assures.

Outro:
So here's to the man, with tales untold,
Carrying wisdom, more precious than gold.
For life's not just the breaths that you take,
But the moments like these, the memories you make.

For the musical accompaniment, we could go with a ballad style, featuring acoustic guitar and a soft piano melody. If you'd like, we can proceed with crafting the sheet music based on this mood and feel. Would you like to refine these ideas further, or should I go ahead with creating a musical composition based on this theme?

Well, from the sound of it, I am objectively wrinkley. 😂

Let's try a couple of other examples.

Test #2: Photo of Me and My Father

This is a photo of me and my father from our trip to Quebec, Canada last summer:

Here are the results:

The image you've provided captures two men, possibly from different generations, sharing a moment together amidst a bustling street scene. There's a sense of camaraderie and joy in their closeness, suggesting a song about family bonds, shared memories, and the passage of time.

Verse 1:
On a street where the echoes of footsteps resound,
Two souls share a story, where love is found.
With smiles that speak of a journey so wide,
Shoulder to shoulder, with nothing to hide.

Chorus:
Generations apart, yet hearts beat as one,
Under the open sky, their tale is spun.
A bond unspoken, a legacy true,
In the frame of the moment, life's vibrant hue.

Verse 2:
Old bricks bear witness to the laughter they share,
A snapshot in time, a spontaneous prayer.
Through the river of years, their connection stays,
On this lively street, in the sunlight's blaze.

Chorus:
Generations apart, yet hearts beat as one,
Under the open sky, their tale is spun.
A bond unspoken, a legacy true,
In the frame of the moment, life's vibrant hue.

Bridge:
Hand in hand, they stand, against the tide of time,
A testament to love, so simple and sublime.
In every shared glance, a history retold,
A kinship that's more precious than gold.

Outro:
So here's to the bond, that stands all tests,
To the silent strength, upon which love rests.
For in every step, on the streets they roam,
They find a memory, they call home.

The music for this song could blend the timeless feel of folk with the contemporary sound of acoustic pop, using instruments like acoustic guitar, a gentle piano, and perhaps a soft percussion to underscore the continuity between past and present.

If you'd like to proceed and turn these lyrics into a full song, please let me know your preferences for the style and instrumentation, and we can continue crafting this musical homage to familial ties and shared moments.

Ok, let's try a couple more.

Test #3: Random Photo from a Roadtrip

I took this photo on the side of the road in rural Mississippi:

Let's see what the AI can do with this one:

The image you've uploaded shows a unique building with a distinctive dome shape, functioning as Jerry's Catfish House. Its architectural style and the clear blue sky create a sense of Americana and might evoke themes of local charm, down-home cooking, and communal experiences. Let's create a song that captures this vibe.

Verse 1:
Out on the highway, just off Route Nine,
Stands an old catfish house, under the sign.
White dome rising, like a pearl on the land,
A place where the locals, all understand.

Chorus:
Where the fryers keep sizzlin', and the catch is fresh,
Under the dome, where flavors mesh.
It's Jerry's little haven, with a taste so fine,
A treasure of the South, standing the test of time.

Verse 2:
Pillars like cotton, hold up the Southern sky,
Folks come together, as the day drifts by.
Laughter in the air, and stories to share,
At Jerry's Catfish House, you haven't a care.

Chorus:
Where the fryers keep sizzlin', and the catch is fresh,
Under the dome, where flavors mesh.
It's Jerry's little haven, with a taste so fine,
A treasure of the South, standing the test of time.

Bridge:
In the heart of Mississippi, there's a rhythm, there's a song,
In the dome of Jerry's, that's where we all belong.
With every bite we're taken, to the banks of the old stream,
Where the catfish keep on swimming, and life is but a dream.

Outro:
So here's to Jerry's, under the blue,
An icon in white, for me and for you.
Where the soul of the river, meets the soul of the land,
In the dome of the catfish, where we all stand hand in hand.

The musical setting for this could be in the style of classic country or Southern rock, with a laid-back groove. Instruments like acoustic guitar, harmonica, and maybe a fiddle could provide a rustic, homey feel, while a steady drum beat gives the song a heartbeat, reminiscent of the comforting and familiar atmosphere of Jerry's Catfish House.

Would you like to proceed with this theme and develop a musical piece for these lyrics? If so, any specific musical elements you envision can be incorporated as we go forward.

Ok, two more!

Test #4: Really Old Photo of Me

Here's the image (yes, the glasses look dorky - it's kind of an embarrassing photo):

And here's what AI did with it:

The image shows a man with a relaxed and easy-going demeanor, his long hair and glasses giving off a classic, perhaps nostalgic vibe. This image might inspire a song that speaks to simpler times, personal journeys, and an easy-going approach to life. Here's a draft for a song:

Verse 1:
With a glance to the past, through those timeless eyes,
There's a story untold, beneath the open skies.
Long hair flowing, in the gentle breeze,
A portrait of ease, a soul at peace.

Chorus:
Through the lens of the years, a reflection so clear,
A moment captured, in the mirror of yesteryear.
With a smile so mild, and a gaze so keen,
He's the emblem of a time, a spirit unseen.

Verse 2:
In the frame of the past, where memories reside,
He stands as a sentinel to the changing tide.
With a look that's serene, in a world so fast,
He's a reminder of the days, now long past.

Chorus:
Through the lens of the years, a reflection so clear,
A moment captured, in the mirror of yesteryear.
With a smile so mild, and a gaze so keen,
He's the emblem of a time, a spirit unseen.

Bridge:
Glasses that have seen, the rise of decades new,
Holding on to the essence, of what he knew to be true.
In his quiet composure, a tale of time's embrace,
An image of the past, that the heart can't erase.

Outro:
So let's toast to the man, in the snapshot of grace,
To the whispers of history, his image can trace.
For in every old picture, there's a song to be sung,
Of the days gone by, and the times we were young.

The music for this could have a classic rock feel, reminiscent of the 70s or 80s, with acoustic guitars for warmth, a soft drum beat for a laid-back rhythm, and perhaps a smooth bass line to ground the melody.

If you'd like to develop this into a full song, please share your ideas or any preferences you have for the melody or instrumentation, and we can start the composition process.

Test #5: The Banner Image for This Blog Post

Here's an interesting one.

This is the image I had AI create for this blog post.

Let's see how it interprets its own image:

The image depicts a serene and reflective scene blending elements of music, nature, and human life. It is set during twilight, with the sky painted in warm hues of a sunset. There's a clear distinction between the natural and the technological, with the former represented by a pastoral landscape of rolling hills and the latter by floating musical notes and staff lines that appear to emanate from a person's head.

On the left, a variety of musical instruments and audio equipment are arranged, suggesting a deep connection to music. There's a guitar, a piano with sheet music on it, a vintage camera, and what looks like a radio or speaker system. These items may evoke feelings of nostalgia and creativity.

In the center, a person sits, facing away from us, looking at the picturesque scene. The individual seems contemplative, perhaps immersed in thoughts or memories. Their head transforms into a swirl of blue and purple cosmic dust, out of which blooms a variety of objects and scenes: a family, butterflies, a country house, and more. This transformation suggests a profound and active inner life or imagination.

To the right, we see a classic car parked beside the road that cuts through the idyllic landscape, symbolizing a journey or the passage of time.

The overall effect is one of harmony and interconnectedness, with the various elements combining to create a sense of peace, reflection, and depth. The image is rich in detail and symbolism, blending the natural world with the creative and reflective capacities of the human mind.

In addition, I had it create actual music based upon the image.

Here's what it told me it was going to do:

To create a song that reflects this rich range of detail, I will aim for a composition that evokes the same feelings of nostalgia, introspection, and harmony that the image suggests. I'll provide a more detailed musical theory analysis and create a piece of music that embodies the image's essence.

Let's delve into the theoretical aspects of the composition that would mirror the richness of the image. Here's a breakdown of the musical elements that I propose to use:

Instrumentation: Since the image features a guitar and a piano prominently, I will include these instruments in the composition. The piano can provide the harmonic foundation, while the guitar can add melodic and rhythmic textures.

Key and Mode: To capture the nostalgia and serenity, I suggest composing in the key of C major, which is often associated with purity and simplicity. The Aeolian mode (natural minor scale) could be incorporated into sections of the piece to add depth and a touch of melancholy, reflecting the twilight and the cosmic swirl.

Tempo and Rhythm: A moderate tempo around 90-100 BPM would allow for reflection and introspection. The rhythm can include syncopation to reflect the butterflies and the life scenes, symbolizing the less predictable aspects of life and thought.

Melody: The melody should be lyrical and expressive, with longer note values to reflect the expansive landscape. It could also incorporate some faster passages or ornamentation to depict the intricate details of the image.

Harmony: The harmonic progression should be rich and warm, using extended chords (like maj7, min7) to add color and emotion, mirroring the sunset and the emotional depth of the scene.

Dynamics: The dynamics should range from soft (p) to moderately loud (mf) to represent the calmness of the scene, with occasional crescendos to mirror the image's richness and depth.

Structure: A structure that alternates between contemplative, softer sections and more dynamic, detailed sections could work well. This would represent the quiet reflection of the individual and the vibrant life scenes emanating from their head.

Here's the resulting audio file:

Blog Post Image Song

0:00

/35.866122

1×

Hmm.

Yeah the audio part of the music is not quite there yet. 😅

Conclusion

Overall, these experiments went surprisingly well. The AI does a great job of analyzing the images, and the lyrics are more insightful that I would have imagined.

It's worth mentioning that it does all this with blinding speed - it's instantaneous.

I also had it create the actual music. It gave me a midi file for each of these, but that part is severely lacking. The music in the midi files is pretty terrible. But with this technology evolving so quickly, it'll be interesting to see what it can do with the actual music in a couple of years.