Even the best songwriters have gotten stuck.
And they each have their own techniques to get unstuck, but one technique that definitely helps is using songwriting prompts.
And I know for a fact some of my favorite songwriters have used some of these prompts, like re-writing someone else’s song (Bob Dylan admittedly did this).
So below are 50 songwriting prompts that will help you unlock your creativity.
When you get creatively stuck, it usually means you’re standing between your ego and your subconscious. So these songwriting prompts will help you get out of your own way…
What are some good writing prompts?
Caleb J. Murphy (CareersInMusic)
Here are some of the most helpful songwriting prompts: re-write someone else’s song, write your stream of consciousness for 5 minutes, and turn your last text conversation into a song.
How do I get ideas for songwriting?
Caleb J. Murphy (CareersInMusic)
Song ideas are everywhere. In the shows you watch, the conversations you overhear, and in the silence. Collecting song ideas is all about being aware. You have to be self-aware as well as aware of the people around you. And to be aware, you have to remove distractions, like your phone or video games. It can be tough, but awareness is where the song ideas hide.
What are the top 10 tips for writing a song?
Caleb J. Murphy (CareersInMusic)
Here are 10 of the best tips for writing a song:
- First and foremost, make a song you like
- Ensure your song is great with just a voice and an instrument
- You don’t need to use a complex chord progression
- Use repetition in your melody
- Tell a story with your lyrics
- Get all of your ideas out and sift through them later
- Take a break
- Write every single day
- Re-write someone else’s song
- Use songwriting prompts to keep you inspired
Use their chord progression as inspiration. Re-write their lyrics in your own words. Come up with a melody using the first two notes of their melody. Trust me, your song will end up different than the original.
Get a pen and paper, your laptop, or your phone. Then just start writing/typing whatever comes into your brain. No filter, no editing. It’s okay if it’s gibberish. Do not let your hand(s) stop moving for 5 minutes.
Make the music first. It can be a rough demo, you just need something to work with. Then sing along with the music until you have the melody and lyrics.
Don’t touch your instrument. Just write the words. Give the words a rhythm. Then see if it works as a song.
Tom Waits would turn on five radios set to five different stations and listen for interesting sounds. Chaotic but could inspire some ideas.
Go to a public place and just listen. Then write down anything you hear that jumps out to you.
Set a timer for 15 minutes. Focus 100% on working on a song. Put away your phone and any other distractions. Don’t try to write a complete song, just do what you can until the timer goes off.
You may accidentally come up with a cool melody or some chords you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Bonus: do this every day to exercise your title-writing skills.
As you tell yourself this story, write down what you’re saying. Then turn that story into a song.
Even if you have no idea how to play piano, try to write a song on it.
Or you could use a sentence from a random book you find at the library.
Drum on a tabletop. Blow across an empty bottle. Look in your silverware drawer for noisemakers. Just make some sounds and write a song.
Then turn that love or hate letter into a song.
Write down what you would say to someone you know in two sentences, assuming there would be no repercussions. Make your words the focus of your song.
This one can both lead to a good song and help you heal your relationships.
But don’t use the name of that place anywhere in your song.
Who says you need therapy when you have songwriting, right? (I’m kidding, therapy can be helpful).
I don’t know. And even if you don’t either, write a song about why you think so.
Write three verses: one about what you see, one about what you hear, and one about what you feel.
Really feel it. Go back to that memory. Then write about it.
This is what singer-songwriter Aaron Espe does.
Might sound weird, but it could sound cool.
Sometimes limitations force you to be more creative.
Play your song faster or slower and see how it sounds.
Switch from a 4/4 to a 6/8. It can give the song a whole new vibe.
Now make that conversation a song.
It could be an audiobook, a TEDTalk, or a random YouTube video. Listen to the speaker and make a melody from the intonation of their voice.
It’s a helpful starting point if you’re having trouble writing a melody from scratch.
Not only is this one effective, but it’s also super fun.
Write a song about that bully.
Write a song about that kid.
What would you say on your deathbed?
Now play it in a minor/major key, whichever it isn’t already.
Try to make the worst song you’ve ever heard. During the process, you may discover a cool melody, chord progression, or rhythm.
Whether or not you agree with their policies.
You don’t have to release it. It can just be an songwriting exercise.
It’s time to see if your acting skills are good enough…
What would you say to little you if you could?
Now write a song to your present self as 100-year-old you.
What would you write about?
You have to figure out everything on your own.
What would it say to you?
This one could get heavy. Write about it.
Now play it and see what sounds you get.
What do you see and hear?
Now start singing a song to its rhythm. You may already do this (I do).
Turn that into a story song.
