We all know How hard it is to come up with Ideas to write your songs, especially as a beginner. So here in this blog post, we are going to give you 12 Great Ways to Get Ideas for Writing Songs.
As a singer and songwriter, I know how frustrating it can be to sit down and stare at a blank page, struggling to come up with ideas for your next song. But the truth is, inspiration is all around us – we just need to know where to look.
As a songwriter with 5 years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned that inspiration can hide in the most unexpected corners. The key is to cultivate a creative mindset and be open to capturing those fleeting moments of brilliance. So, grab your notebook, instrument, or favorite recording device – it’s time to get those creative juices flowing!
1. Draw Inspiration from Your Own Life Experiences
Some of the most powerful songs ever written are deeply personal. Your life experiences are a treasure trove of material waiting to be explored. Think about:
- Relationships: Love, loss, friendship, family – these universal themes resonate with everyone. Draw from your own experiences to create lyrics that feel genuine and connect with listeners.
- Challenges and triumphs: Have you overcome a difficult obstacle? Celebrate a victory? These experiences hold immense emotional weight that can translate into powerful songs.
- Everyday moments: Don’t underestimate the power of the ordinary! A walk in the park, a conversation with a friend, or a fleeting observation can spark a song idea.
Pro Tip: Keep a journal specifically for songwriting. Capture those fleeting thoughts, emotions, or snippets of dialogue that could blossom into a song later.
- Addressing Writer’s Block: Feeling stuck? Sometimes, the most personal experiences can be the hardest to write about directly. Try approaching them from a different angle:
- Change the perspective: Write the song from someone else’s point of view, like a fictional character or even an inanimate object.
- Use symbolism and metaphor: Don’t be literal! Let your imagination run wild and use imagery to convey your emotions and experiences in a fresh way.
2. Pay Attention to the World Around You
Look beyond your own experiences and tap into the energy of the world around you. Here are some ways to find inspiration in your surroundings:
- Current events and social issues: Is there something happening in the news that sparks your outrage, hope, or empathy? Channel those emotions into a song that raises awareness or offers a message of unity.
- The human condition: Explore universal themes of love, loss, joy, and sorrow. These experiences connect us all and can form the backbone of powerful songs.
- The sights and sounds of your environment: Take a walk in nature, visit a bustling city center, or simply sit in a coffee shop and observe the people around you. The details you capture can become the foundation for a vivid and evocative song.
Pro Tip: Carry a voice recorder with you on your daily adventures. Record snippets of conversations, interesting sounds, or even short lyrical phrases that inspire you. You can revisit these recordings later to jog your memory and spark new ideas.
3. Explore Current Events and Social Issues
Music has a long and powerful history of social commentary. Don’t be afraid to use your songwriting as a platform to raise awareness, challenge the status quo, or offer comfort and support during difficult times. Here are some things to consider:
- Do your research: Before writing about a complex issue, take the time to understand it thoroughly. This will lend credibility and depth to your lyrics.
- Find your voice: How do you want to approach the issue? With anger, hope, or empathy? Finding your voice will help you connect with listeners who share your perspective.
- Strike a balance: While it’s important to be informative, don’t preach to your audience. Use strong imagery and emotional language to make your point in a way that resonates.
4. Tap into Literature and Poetry
Great literature and poetry are brimming with inspiration waiting to be tapped. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Find inspiration in the themes, metaphors, and imagery: Does a particular poem evoke a strong emotional response? Can you reimagine its themes and imagery in a new song?
- Pay homage to your favourite authors or poets: Write a song inspired by the works of a literary hero. This can be a creative way to explore your own interpretation of their work.
- Challenge yourself with a reimagining: Take a classic story or poem and rewrite it from a different perspective.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Combine elements from different poems, stories, or even genres to create something entirely new.
5. Listen to a Wide Variety of Music
Expanding your musical horizons is a fantastic way to spark new songwriting ideas. Here’s how:
- Explore different genres: Step outside your comfort zone and delve into genres you wouldn’t normally listen to. You might discover unexpected influences and techniques that ignite your creativity.
- Pay attention to songwriting techniques: Actively listen to how other songwriters craft their lyrics, melodies, and harmonies. Analyze what makes a song work and how you can incorporate those elements into your own music.
- Find inspiration in the unconventional: Don’t just listen to chart-topping hits. Seek out independent artists, underground music scenes, and even international music for a fresh perspective.
Pro Tip: Create playlists dedicated to specific songwriting elements. For example, have a playlist for songs with strong hooks, another for beautiful melodies, and another for innovative use of lyrics.
6. Use Movies and Television Shows for Prompts
- Find inspiration in storylines, characters, and emotional moments: Does a particular scene resonate with you? Imagine a song from the perspective of a character, or rewrite a scene using music to convey the emotions.
- Use soundtracks as a starting point: Many films and TV shows have incredible soundtracks that perfectly complement the narrative. Analyze how the music enhances the story and see if it sparks ideas for your own songs.
- Challenge yourself with a thematic reimagining: Take a movie or TV show and explore its themes from a different angle using your songwriting.
Pro Tip: Host a “soundtrack night” with fellow songwriters. Choose a film or TV show and challenge yourselves to each write a song inspired by a different scene or character.
7. Collaborate with Other Songwriters
- Bouncing off ideas: Working with others allows you to share perspectives, challenge each other’s assumptions, and come up with concepts you might not have considered on your own.
- Combining strengths: Each songwriter brings their unique skills and experiences to the table. This can lead to a richer, more diverse sound that reflects both of your artistic visions.
- Learning from each other: Collaboration is a great way to learn new techniques and approaches to songwriting. Observe how your partner works and be open to incorporating their ideas into your own process.
8. Experiment with Different Songwriting Techniques
Stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for growth as a songwriter. Here are some ways to experiment:
- Try new chord progressions: Challenge yourself to learn and experiment with different chord progressions beyond your usual repertoire. There are countless online resources and tutorials to help you get started.
- Explore different lyrical styles: Don’t be afraid to experiment with storytelling, stream-of-consciousness writing, or even poetry in your lyrics.
- Push your boundaries with rhythm and tempo: Break away from your usual rhythmic patterns and explore faster tempos, unconventional meters, or even cappella arrangements.
Pro Tip: Dedicate a specific songwriting session to experimentation. Set a goal to try at least three new techniques and see what emerges. You might be surprised at the creative breakthroughs you experience.
9. Tap into Freewriting and Brainstorming Exercises
Sometimes, the best way to overcome writer’s block is to simply start writing without judgment. Here are some freewriting and brainstorming techniques to get your creative juices flowing:
- Freewriting: Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write continuously without stopping, regardless of how nonsensical it seems. This can help you break through mental blocks and access unexpected ideas.
- Mind mapping: Visually brainstorm your ideas by creating a mind map. Start with a central theme or keyword in the center of a page and branch out with related ideas, feelings, or associations.
- Word lists: Create lists of random words, adjectives, verbs, or even nouns that don’t seem musically related. Challenge yourself to incorporate these words into your lyrics in surprising ways.
Pro Tip: Combine these techniques! For example, do a freewriting session based on a random word from your word list. You might be surprised at the connections you uncover.
10. Keep a Songwriting Journal or Idea Notebook
- Capture everything: Don’t just write down polished lyrics or melodies. Jot down snippets of conversation, interesting rhythms you hear in everyday life, or even dreams that inspire you.
- Organize your thoughts: Use a system that works for you. This could involve categorizing ideas by theme, genre, or even mood.
- Revisit your ideas regularly: Set aside time to revisit your songwriting journal and see if any old ideas spark new inspiration in the context of your current projects.
Pro Tip: Consider using a digital songwriting journal app. These apps often offer features like voice recording, tagging, and cloud storage, making it even easier to capture and organize your ideas.
11. Use Online Songwriting Prompts and Resources
The internet is a treasure trove of resources for aspiring songwriters. Here are some ways to leverage the online world:
- Songwriting prompt websites and apps: Many websites and apps offer daily or weekly songwriting prompts to jumpstart your creative process. These prompts can be anything from a specific theme or emotion to a random picture or quote.
- Online songwriting communities: Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to songwriting. Connect with other songwriters, share your work, and get feedback and inspiration.
- Educational resources: There are countless online tutorials, articles, and even video courses dedicated to songwriting. These resources can teach you valuable techniques for crafting lyrics, melodies, and harmonies.
Pro Tip: Utilize a variety of online resources. Don’t rely solely on one website or app for inspiration. Expand your horizons and explore different tools and communities to find what works best for you.
12. Don’t Be Afraid to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Growth as a songwriter requires pushing your boundaries and embracing new challenges. Here are some ways to step outside your comfort zone:
- Experiment with new genres: Don’t limit yourself to the genres you’re comfortable with. Challenge yourself to write a song in a completely different style.
- Learn a new instrument: Adding a new instrument to your musical arsenal can open up new sonic possibilities and inspire fresh songwriting ideas.
- Embrace new recording techniques: Experiment with different recording techniques and software to create a unique sound for your music.
Pro Tip: Set yourself a songwriting challenge. For example, challenge yourself to write a song in a specific genre using only three chords or a limited number of words. These limitations can actually spark creativity and lead you to unexpected places.
How Do I Know If My Song Idea Is Good?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Ultimately, the best way to know if your song idea is good is to trust your gut instinct. If it moves you and you believe in it, then that’s a good sign. However, here are some additional tips:
- Get feedback from trusted sources: Share your song idea with a friend, fellow songwriter, or music mentor whose opinion you value. Get constructive criticism and use it to improve your song.
- Record a rough demo: Even a simple recording of your song idea can help you identify areas that need work or hidden potential waiting to be developed.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment: The initial spark of an idea may not be the final product. Be willing to experiment with different arrangements, melodies, and lyrics to see what works best.
Conclusion
Songwriting is a journey of exploration, self-discovery, and constant learning. By embracing the techniques and resources outlined in this article, you’ll equip yourself to overcome writer’s block, tap into your creative wellspring, and unleash the full potential of your inner songsmith. Remember, the most important ingredient is passion. If you have a burning desire to create music, keep writing, keep learning, and keep sharing your voice with the world. Happy songwriting!
