What Can I Write A Song About? Rules, Limits & Tips
Ever stared at a blank page? Or maybe a blank screen? Your guitar is there. Your piano is waiting. Your voice is ready. But the big question looms: What in the heck can I write a song about?
It’s the age-old songwriter's riddle. And guess what? There are no real rules. Yep, you heard me. Absolutely zero. Well, maybe a few… but they're more like friendly suggestions.
So, What's the Big Deal About Songwriting?
Honestly, it’s pure magic. You take feelings, thoughts, and random observations, and you twist them into something that makes people tap their feet. Or cry. Or think. Or do all three!
Think about it. Someone wrote a song about cheese. Cheese! And it’s catchy. Another one? About a dancing badger. A dancing badger! The world is your lyrical oyster. Or maybe your lyrical, slightly-burnt, leftover-pizza-box. Whatever works!
The "Rules" (or Lack Thereof)
Let’s get this straight. No one is going to arrest you if your chorus isn’t perfect. No one’s going to revoke your musical license if your bridge feels a bit… wobbly.
The only real "rule" is to be authentic. Write what feels true to you. Even if "you" is currently obsessed with collecting lint from your dryer. Hey, that’s a story! A linty, fluffy story.
Think of your favorite songs. Are they all about epic love stories? Nope. Some are about mundane Tuesdays. Some are about the sheer joy of finding a parking spot. Some are about that weird dream you had where squirrels were wearing tiny hats.
Quirky facts abound! Did you know that the longest song ever recorded is over 7 days long? Seven! Imagine the lyrics. Maybe it’s about waiting for the kettle to boil. That’s a relatable struggle, people.
The beauty is that you can write about anything. Seriously. That slightly annoying squeak your chair makes? Song material. The way the sun hits your coffee cup in the morning? Song material. That awkward conversation you had with your neighbor about their runaway garden gnome? Prime song material!
Where to Find Your Next Great Song Idea
Okay, so the sky’s the limit. But sometimes, the sky feels really, really big. Let’s break it down. Where do these brilliant ideas hide?
1. Your Own Head (The Wildest Place of All)
Your thoughts are a treasure trove. What’s been buzzing around in there lately? Are you annoyed by slow walkers? Are you dreaming of a tropical vacation? Are you pondering the existential dread of a forgotten sock?
Emotions are a huge one. Love, hate, joy, sadness, confusion, that weird feeling when you realize you’ve been singing the wrong lyrics for years. All valid. All song-worthy.
Don't underestimate the power of observations. Watch people. Listen to conversations (ethically, of course!). What details jump out? The way someone laughs? The color of their shoes? The fact that they’re talking to their potted plant?
2. The World Around You (It’s Noisy!)
Step outside. Seriously, go for a walk. What do you see? What do you hear? The honking of cars, the chirping of birds, the distant sound of someone practicing the recorder (bless their heart). These are all sonic elements. And sonic elements can become lyrics.
Think about everyday objects. Your toaster. Your umbrella. That lonely-looking traffic cone. Each has a story. Maybe the umbrella has seen more rain than you’ve had hot dinners. Maybe the traffic cone is secretly a superhero on its day off.
News headlines, even the silly ones, can spark something. A cat stuck in a tree? A town debating the merits of a giant rubber duck? You’ve got a plot. You’ve got drama.
3. Other Art Forms (Borrowing is Caring!)
Read a book. Watch a movie. Look at a painting. What strikes you? A character’s struggle? A dramatic scene? A peculiar shade of blue?
Don't plagiarize, obviously. But let the story, the characters, or the mood inspire your own unique take. Maybe that stoic knight in the fantasy novel is actually terrified of spiders. That’s a song.
Quirky fact alert: Many songwriters get inspired by dreams. Some of the biggest hits have sprung from the weirdest nighttime adventures. So, keep a dream journal. You never know what gold might be hiding in your subconscious.
4. Randomness (Embrace the Chaos)
Sometimes, the best ideas come from nowhere. Or everywhere. Just let your mind wander. Flip a coin. Open a book to a random page. Pick a word from a hat. Hat. Hat. Hat. What about a song about a lucky hat? Or a sad hat? Or a hat that talks?
The point is, don't overthink it. If an idea feels silly, run with it! The most memorable songs are often the ones that aren’t afraid to be a little bit weird. Think of songs that make you smile just by hearing the title. That’s the goal!
Tips for Turning Ideas into Tunes
So you’ve got a flicker of an idea. Now what?
Start Small
Don’t try to write a three-act opera about the invention of the paperclip on your first go. Start with a single line. A catchy phrase. A cool chord progression.
Keywords are your friends. Jot down words related to your idea. Then, start playing with them. Rhyming dictionaries are a secret weapon. Don’t tell anyone I told you.
Play with Words
Rhyme isn't always necessary. Sometimes near rhymes or no rhymes are more interesting. Play with rhythm and meter. How does the phrase sound when you say it? Does it flow?
Think about imagery. What can your listener see, hear, smell, taste, or touch? Show, don't just tell. Instead of "I was sad," try "The rain mirrored the tears on my face." See? More evocative.
Embrace the Mess
Your first draft will likely be… a mess. And that's perfect. Don't judge yourself. Just get it down. You can always refine it later.
Experiment with different melodies. Hum along to your lyrics. Try different tempos. What feels right? What makes the words come alive?
Remember that cheesy song about cheese? Someone thought, "Hey, what if I wrote about cheese?" And boom. Hit. So, don't dismiss your "silly" ideas. They might just be the next big thing. Or at least, a fun song for you to sing.
The best part? There’s no "right" or "wrong." Only your song. Go make some noise!