How To Find Song Inspiration & Write a Song

How To Find Song Inspiration & Write a Song | Elevate

Your guide to finding song inspiration & write your first Song

As with any creative endeavor, songwriting can be challenging at times. You may find yourself in a rut and unable to think of new ideas for your next song or struggle to finish an existing concept. It’s during these moments when you need the inspiration to write a song.

Fortunately, with the help of the Internet, it’s now much easier than ever before to find inspiration. You don’t need to be a professional songwriter either, simply reading this article is enough to get you on the right track.

In this guide, we will explore some simple techniques that can spark your creativity and give you fresh ideas for your next song. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or hoping to make a career out of writing songs, these tips are sure to help kickstart your creative process and get you inspired again!

Where to Find Song Inspiration

Music magazines can help you write lyrics as a lead singer
Read Music Blogs & Magazines

There are many songwriters out there, but it can be hard to find your own voice. As a songwriter, you can move people with your words and music but getting started is not always easy.

Understanding how to find inspiration to write a song is an important first step toward becoming a successful songwriter. Here are some tips and tricks that can help get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to write a song.

Read Music Blogs & Magazines

There are many music blogs and magazines out there, each with its own unique spin on writing music. If you are looking for inspiration to write a song, reading these types of publications can be a fantastic place to start.

There are many genres of music out there, so you need to find one that suits your particular taste. When reading music blogs and magazines, you want to look for articles that focus on the creative process behind writing songs. These will often feature interviews with famous artists who talk about how they get inspired and write their songs.

If you’re looking for inspiration to write a song but don’t know where to start, reading these types of articles can help you get your creative juices flowing. You’ll be inspired by the famous people you see, but it’s also nice to know that you don’t have to be a famous artist to be creative and write songs.

Go To Concerts

If you’re looking for inspiration to write a song, one of the best places you can go is a concert. Whether you go to see your favorite artist perform or choose to attend a totally different genre of show, you’re guaranteed to come away inspired.

When you go to a concert, you’re surrounded by music and creativity. You’re sure to pick up some ideas for writing your own songs, either by watching the show itself or simply by speaking with other concertgoers and sharing your own experiences.

If you don’t know where to start, you can visit a website and find out what shows are coming to your area, as well as read reviews from other visitors who have already been to those shows. You can even sign up to receive notifications when new shows are announced near you so you don’t miss out!

Watch Creative YouTube Channels

YouTube is home to some truly creative individuals, who produce a variety of content from all sorts of different genres. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can try watching a few of the more creative YouTube channels out there.

There are plenty of channels that are all about creativity. You can also search for channels that focus on your favourite art form or craft, and there’s a high chance you’ll come across some amazing examples of creativity.

By watching these YouTube channels, you’ll be able to get inspired and have some new ideas for your next song. You can even leave comments on videos and interact with other viewers, this is a great way to share your own creativity and get ideas from others in the process!

Walk in Nature

If you’re struggling for inspiration to write a song, one of the best things you can do is head out into the great outdoors and immerse yourself in nature.

There is something truly magical about walking through nature and being surrounded by all its sights and sounds. You will almost certainly come away from the experience inspired, and this will help you to get creative with your songwriting process.

When you walk in nature, you’re sure to come across lots of sights and sounds that can inspire your next song. You may want to use a voice recorder or audio journal to capture these ideas, or even a smartphone notes app if you don’t want to forget them when you get back home!

Listen to Your Favorite Music

Of course, you can always listen to your favourite music for song inspiration. Whether you want to write a song in the same genre as your favourite artist, or simply want to be inspired by the creative process they use, listening to your favourite music is a great way to get ideas flowing.

You can listen to any music you like but listening to songs in the genres you write in can help to inspire you to create music in a similar style. This can be particularly helpful if you’re trying to write a song but don’t know where to start or find yourself at a loss for ideas.

Just like watching YouTube videos, listening to your favorite music is a great way to share your creativity and get inspired by others at the same time. You can also leave song reviews on streaming services such as Spotify, allowing you to interact with other musicians and music lovers.

How To Come Up with Song Ideas

Brainstorming can be a helpful writing exercise

Most artists can only come up with so many song ideas before they start to run out of things to say. This is a problem that every songwriter struggles with sometimes, but great songwriters always find a way to overcome writer’s block.

So, how do you keep your creativity flowing when you feel like you’re stuck? Well, the process of writing music is different for everybody, but here are a few tips that can help you beat writer’s block when you’re feeling stuck.

Write About What You Know

This sounds obvious, but it’s important to remember that the more personal your song is, the easier it will be for you to connect with it.

The best way to write a personal song is to write about something that you’ve experienced. It can be a feeling, a place, or a person that you’ve been close to. It can even be a song that you’ve written in the past that you want to revisit.

If you’re in love, then write a love song. If your heart has been broken, then write about that instead. Either way, the best way to come up with song ideas is to write about what you know.

Your audience can always tell if you’re being authentic, and if you are it will be much easier for them to empathize with you and relate to your music. Don’t try to be something you’re not, just be yourself and draw on your own experiences. 

Come Up with Hooks First

As soon as you have a concept for a song in mind, try to come up with a catchy chorus or a line that will become a hook. Once you have a hook, it will be much easier to create your own melody and turn it all into a great song.

Remember that hooks are the most important part of a song. They have to be catchy enough to stand out and be remembered by your audience.

It’s a good idea to come up with a few different hooks for each song idea you have and then choose the one that feels the most natural. This way you can see which song ideas will work best and save yourself a lot of time in the process.

Watch A Movie

Sometimes the best way to come up with an interesting song idea is to get away from music entirely. If you’re really struggling to find inspiration, try watching a movie that has nothing to do with music and see what pops into your head.

You may find that the mood of the movie inspires lyrics or that the characters lead you to a new concept for a song. This can work with any type of movie and can be a great way to break through a creative block.

Doodle To Find Inspiration

Sometimes the best way to break through a creative block is to just start creating. Pick up a pen, a crayon, or anything else you can find, and start doodling. You may not be creating lyrics with this method, but you’re getting your creative juices flowing and that’s important!

Try to focus on creating whatever comes to mind without judging it. You may come up with an amazing melody for your next hit single or you may come up with something that has nothing to do with music. Either way, getting your creative juices flowing is the first step to creative success.

Talk To Your Audience

This isn’t something that many artists do, but it can be a great way to come up with new song ideas. Imagine that you are your audience and you’re trying to pick a song to listen to. What do you want to hear? What do you want your music to be about?

This can be a great way to come up with new concepts for songs and better understand your audience at the same time. You’ll be able to use this information to create better music and connect with your fans in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Follow Your Feelings

This may sound a little silly, but it’s important to follow your feelings while you’re creating new music. If you’re feeling sad, don’t try to ignore it or find inspiration by watching a movie. Let yourself explore this emotion and write some sad songs.

Let your emotions flow through you. This can be a great way to find inspiration for lyrics and create a more authentic song. Remember, the best way to come up with song ideas is to follow your heart and express what you’re going through!

10 Tips on How to Write Songs

piano, sheet music, music

Writing a song may seem like a challenging task at first. However, once you get the hang of it, you will see how easy it is.

When it comes to writing songs, everyone has their own style and preference. Some prefer to start with lyrics while others begin with the melody. It’s completely up to you how you want to approach this task.

You don’t have to be a lyrical genius or an expert musician to write your own songs. Anyone can do it if they put their mind to it and keep these tips in mind.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next hit or just starting out as an aspiring musician, these ten songwriting tips will come in handy.

Write Down Your Ideas

Writing down your ideas will help you keep them organized. You can then go back and look at them later if you need inspiration or want to expand on your ideas.

If you are writing lyrics, make sure that they are catchy and memorable. If you’re writing a melody, try to make it unique and stand out from other songs.

Take some time to brainstorm ideas and write them down. This will help you organize your thoughts and come up with original ideas for your songs.

Know the Chords Before You Write the Lyrics

If you know the chords you want to use, you will be able to focus more on your message. This will make it easier for you to write catchy and memorable lyrics.

That said, you don’t always have to write the chords down beforehand, but you should have an idea of what you want to play while you’re writing.

If you are a beginner musician and don’t have any ideas, you can use chord charts to get started. You can find these in songbooks or online.

Come Up with a Catchy Hook or Chorus First

The chorus or hook should be very catchy and memorable. That’s what people will remember the most from your song, so it should also be the strongest part of your lyrics.

The chorus and song title should be able to describe your song. It should be something that people can sing along to and remember. You should also try to keep it simple and easy to understand so that anyone can relate to it.

By coming up with a great hook or chorus first, you’ll have the hard part out of the way, and you might just find that the rest of the song flows naturally from there on out.

Collaborate with Other Artists

Collaborating with other artists is a great way to come up with new and exciting ideas. You can also learn new things from other artists and expand your skill set.

You can collaborate with other musicians, creatives, or even people in different industries. The goal is to get out of your comfort zone and work with different types of people.

You can find musicians or other artists in your area and contact them, or you can look for musicians online and see if you can find anyone who would be interested in collaborating with you.

Borrow from the Best

When it comes to writing songs, it’s important to know your genre and who the top artists are within that space. This will make it easier for you to create a new song that will fit within the genre, and it will make it easier for your listeners to relate to your music.

There is nothing wrong with borrowing ideas from the great artists in your genre either. You don’t want to steal, copy, or plagiarize, but it’s perfectly okay to borrow a chord progression or a concept, and then make it your own. In fact, there are only 12 notes in music, so everybody is borrowing all the time.

Add Different Instruments and Effects

Keep in mind that you don’t have to stick with just one instrument when you’re creating new music. Experiment with different instruments and effects to come up with new ideas.

You can also use pre-made loops and samples when you’re creating new music. This will help you to come up with new and exciting ideas.

It’s important to remember that overusing instruments or effects can make your music sound cluttered and confusing. Make sure to only use what is necessary and don’t overdo it.

Utilize Technology

There are a lot of different apps and technologies that can help you to write songs and get inspired. These apps make it easier to come up with new ideas and collaborate with other artists. You can also use these apps to record your music and make it easier to play instruments.

If you’re looking for apps that will inspire you to write new songs, there are a few you can check out. Songify, for example, turns your lyrics into a catchy song. You can also use apps like Shazam or SoundHound to discover new music and draw inspiration from existing songs.

Bounce Ideas Off Your Family and Friends

Sometimes, you just need someone to bounce ideas off of and get some feedback on your work. You can do this with your family and friends.

They don’t have to be musicians or even understand the creative process. All they have to do is listen to your songs and provide feedback.

You can give them a few songs to listen to and ask them what they like and don’t like. This is a great way to get constructive criticism and improve your songs.

Write What You Love

You should write songs that you love and that reflect who you are as a person. Sometimes, you might feel like you don’t have any ideas, but the more you write, the more ideas you will get.

You can start with lyrics first or a melody. It doesn’t really matter and it’s entirely up to you. But it’s often easier to start with lyrics or certain parts of a song first. You might even want to write parts of a few different songs before you complete any of them.

This is completely normal, and you should write whatever makes you happy. You should always make the process your own so that it works for you and your individual songwriting style. This way, you’ll be able to turn your inspiration into a song that reflects who you are as a music composer and songwriter.

Don’t Be Afraid to Rewrite

If your lyrics aren’t coming out how you want them to, or you find yourself stuck, don’t be afraid to rewrite them. The same goes for your melodies. You might want to rewrite certain parts of your songs, or even rewrite the entire song.

You should also try your best not to compare your work to other songs that are already out there. You are still a beginner, and it’s important to learn as much as you can to improve your process.  

There will be times when you feel like everything you write is awful and that you might not be cut out for this. This is normal and happens to everyone, even famous musicians. Every successful artist started off as a beginner and had to go through the same things that you are going through right now.

Things to Keep in Mind When Writing Songs

sheet music, music, clef
The truth is that anyone can learn how to write songs if they put their mind to it

If you’re new to the world of songwriting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the process and wonder where you should begin. However, that doesn’t mean that songwriting is inaccessible, quite the opposite, in fact!

The truth is that anyone can learn how to write songs if they put their mind to it. The art of creating melodies and lyrics requires practice, but with a little bit of effort and determination, almost anyone can become a successful songwriter.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re writing music:

Know Your Audience

If you want to be a successful songwriter, you need to understand your target audience. What do your listeners like? What genres do they prefer? What are their hopes and dreams? In other words, you need to know what they care about.

To become a great songwriter, you’ll need to understand how different people around the world feel and react to different lyrics. It’s no good creating music that only appeals to yourself, that’s not going to get you very far in the long run!

By getting to know your audience, you will be able to create songs that resonate with them on a deep level. This will help you to become more successful as a songwriter, as well as improve the overall quality of your music.

Learn the Basics of Music Theory

In order to get started as a songwriter, you’ll need to have an understanding of the basics. You can learn the basics of music theory by reading books, taking online courses, or taking private lessons with a tutor.

This will help you to create stronger melodies and better lyrics. Plus, you’ll be able to draw inspiration from sheet music and tablature, which can help you out in a number of different ways.

Being able to read music will help you become a better composer, and when you can compose songs that fit with music theory, you’ll have a much easier time coming up with melodies, lyrics, hooks, and choruses.

Keep a Songwriting Journal

You should get in the habit of writing down your ideas as they come to you because you never know when inspiration will strike. It could happen anywhere, at any time. However, if you don’t write down your ideas when they first come to you, you risk losing them forever.

That’s why it’s important to keep a songwriting journal. Keep your journal with you at all times and use it frequently. It doesn’t matter if your ideas aren’t fully formed. You can return to your journal later and develop your ideas further. What matters is that you write down your ideas when they come, and you don’t let them disappear. 

Develop Your Vocabulary

In order to write strong, meaningful lyrics, you’ll need to develop a strong vocabulary. You don’t need to be a wordsmith, but you should definitely have an understanding of literary devices and how to use them in your lyrics.

One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is to read as much as possible. Read literature, poetry, the newspaper, anything and everything. The more you read, the better your vocabulary will be. This will help you to create stronger, more meaningful lyrics.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

You might feel like you need to write a certain type of song in order to be successful. But the truth is that there isn’t a right or wrong way to create a song.

There are no rules when it comes to songwriting! There are many different ways to create a song, and you should experiment with different methods and techniques to see what works for you.

Experiment with different melodies, lyrics, and musical styles to find out what you’re good at. Remember, you don’t need to know everything about songwriting in order to be successful. All you need is to be passionate, determined, and eager to learn.

How To Find the Perfect Song Title

When you’re writing a song, choosing the right title is important. It’s what your song will be known by forever more.

Guitarist plays a good song with own lyrics
Write Down Your Ideas

While you might think that it doesn’t matter, after all, your lyrics and melody are what really matter, your song title can actually have an impact on whether people listen to your song again or delete it from their playlists.

It’s also something of a double-edged sword. A bad title can alienate listeners, but a good one can help people find your song on streaming sites like Spotify.

With that in mind, here are some tips for finding the perfect song title for your next track:

Write Down Your Ideas

The first thing to do when trying to choose a title is to get all your ideas down on paper. This will help you to see which titles you gravitate towards.

You might realize that you’re attracted to a certain style of title, or that you’re coming up with a lot of dud titles that you don’t like. Whatever happens, you’ll have a better idea for moving forward once you’ve written everything down.

You might also want to consider mood boards or Pinterest boards. Some people have found success using images to inspire their titles, and it can really help if you get stuck!

Ask Your Friends and Fans

Great, so you’ve written down your title ideas and you’re looking for some more opinions. That’s when it’s time to ask your friends and fans.

A good place to start is with your regular social media followers. You can post your title ideas and ask people to vote for their favorites. Alternatively, you can post your track and ask your audience to leave comments with suggestions.

It’s also worth asking your producer and other musicians who are involved with the track what they think. You never know what random suggestion might inspire you to create something great.

Don’t Be Afraid to be Weird and Wacky

Many song titles are either super-serious, or they’re wordplay. While those can be great song titles, you don’t want to be limited by them. If you’re coming up with ideas that are a little crazy or weird, don’t hold back!

If you’re only coming up with normal and serious titles, you’re really limiting yourself when it comes to the size of your audience. However, by allowing yourself the freedom and flexibility to get creative with your titles, you can unlock a wealth of new themes and ideas.

Rhymes Can Work Well

You might be tempted to go for a non-rhyming title, but rhymes can actually work really well. Of course, the ideal title would be one that rhymes but doesn’t sound forced, we’re not talking about a Dr. Seuss rhyme scheme here!

If you’re having trouble coming up with rhymes, there are many different rhyme generators online that can help you. The idea is really simple; you just enter the word you want to rhyme, and the generator will show you every word that rhymes with it.

This is a great way to write song titles, or even entire songs if you happen to be writing rap music. But you also don’t want to overdo it. Not every song you write should have a rhyming title. Some titles should be serious, some should be silly, and some should rhyme.

A Few More Ways to Find Song Inspiration

Last but not least, here are a few more tips that might help you find some inspiration when it seems like nothing else will work. Remember, all it takes is for one method to work and you’ll be on your way to writing a great song.

Know Your Own Writing Habits and Triggers

One of the best ways to find inspiration is to know your own writing habits and triggers. For instance, do certain environments inspire you to write more than others? Is there a specific time of day when you’re most creative? What types of moods inspire your best work?

Try keeping a journal of your songwriting habits and triggers so that you can refer back to it when you need some inspiration. It’s also a good idea to record your songwriting process so that you can review how and where you were inspired. This way, you’ll be able to recognize patterns in your writing habits and learn to capitalize on your songwriting triggers in the future

Find a Quiet Place to Meditate and Breathe

If you’re having trouble finding inspiration, try finding a quiet place to meditate and breathe. Deep breathing is one of the best ways to calm your mind and remove any mental barriers that are standing in the way of your creative flow.

When you’re feeling stuck and unable to find inspiration, try setting a timer for 5-10 minutes and doing some deep breathing exercises. You can even use an app for some guided meditation if you don’t have a quiet place to go.

Plus, this is something you can do anywhere, any time. So even if you’re stuck in a busy and noisy place that’s not conducive to focused writing, you can still calm your mind and get back on track with your songwriting process.

Be Part of the Songwriting Community

While you don’t want to be too reliant on other people for inspiration, you can still be part of the songwriting community. Joining a songwriting group or attending songwriting meetups in your area can help inspire you to keep going when you feel like you have nothing left to give.

You might even meet some new songwriting partners who can help you brainstorm new song ideas as well as offer feedback on your existing work. You can also connect with fellow songwriters online and join songwriting forums where you can share your work and get feedback from other members.

Keep a Dream Journal

Another great way to find inspiration and boost the creative flow is to keep a dream journal. When you wake up, write down any dreams you remember in as much detail as possible.

You don’t have to interpret or analyze them; just write them down as they are. When you’re ready to get back to work, go back through your dream journal entries and see if you can find anything inspiring in there. You never know what might spark an idea for a new song!

Conclusion

There are many ways to find song inspiration for your next track. And once you do, you can start writing your song and it will flow naturally! Just keep in mind that there is no one way to find inspiration, the process is different for everyone.

When you’re looking for song inspiration you need to find what works best for you. Whether it’s listening to an old song of yours that you are proud of, or going for a walk in nature, either way, you will find your inspiration in something.

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