Four Easy Ways to Begin Writing a New Song

You can begin a new song anytime you want. Is that good news, or what?!

Every song has a humble beginning: at first, it’s little more than a glimmer in its writer’s eye.

You can trace any song back to a seminal thought or hunch. The songwriter was alert enough to notice and develop that first blush into a fully-developed song. Some writers have been lucky enough that their brainchild then goes out into the world, has many travels, and enriches many lives.

But none of that can happen for you if you let your own ideas just slip by. Value your thoughts, because thought is where a song begins. Any of the sources listed below may be windows into a new piece–work to be conscious of them!

1. Emotion & its Causes

Anything that moves you has song potential. Maybe you’ve lost someone dear to you, maybe you’ve witnessed a scene of great kindness, or maybe some small thing happened today that made you smile. Consider whether the experience might be worth exploring and expressing in song. Any feeling is fair game. You can easily find songs that express frustration, sadness, joy, confusion, heartache, hyperactivity…

You might find emotional inspiration by watching a great film, viewing a photograph, reading a book, finding a new chord progression, or you may actually live it firsthand. There’s no shortage of inspiring, moving things in this world.

2. Topic

Almost every songwriter I know has, at some point in their development, felt that all their songs are too much alike—usually I hear either “Everything I write is depressing!” or “I’m sick of writing love songs.” An easy solution is to choose a new topic.

A topic doesn’t have to be profound or complex or even interesting; it can even be a simple object such as a key. Maybe you’ll begin writing and remember that you found an old rusted key in the dirt as a child, that you never did find out what lock the key fits… and before you know it, you’ve got an interesting new song. Freewriting around any given theme is a great way to uncover new associations, connections, and meanings.

3. Titles and Other Key Phrases.

Keep an ear out for phrases with beautiful sounds, striking imagery, nice rhythms, or other traits that capture your attention.

If something feels like a great first line, last line, or chorus, write it down!

4. Purpose

Much different from a topic. A topic describes the song’s content. Purpose is the song’s intended effect or function. Is it a dance tune? A serenade? A sing-along? Think about how you want your listener to feel, and what social use your song might serve.

What’s Your Experience?

How have your own favorite songs begun life? Did they begin with one of the above elements, or with another entirely? Let us know in the comments!