Let’s face it: songwriting is HARD sometimes. So if you need some quick ideas to break out of a rut or find inspiration, you’re in luck!
Sometimes the muse hides in the shadows, leaving creatives yearning for a spark. “Improve Songwriting” offers a lighthouse in the form of “101 Songwriting Prompts: Quick Ideas for Writing Hit Songs!” crafted by Brian Thrasher.
This treasure trove, inspired by John Braheny’s insights from “The Craft and Business of Songwriting,” categorizes prompts into seven universal plots that resonate deeply with the human experience: Love, Hate, Loneliness, Happiness, Sadness, Jealousy, and Revenge, plus a bonus section for those ideas that defy categorization.
Love Song Prompts
The realm of love, in its multifaceted glory, dominates the charts and hearts alike. Thrasher suggests exploring first dates, familial affection, the innocence of puppy love, the milestones of wedding anniversaries, the intimacy of making love, and the complexities of toxic relationships, among others. Each prompt invites songwriters to dive into the nuances of love, from the euphoria of a crush to the profound love for a child, and even the dark corners of obsessive love.
Hate Song Prompts
On the flip side, hate offers a powerful wellspring of emotion. Whether it’s the sting of betrayal, the angst of teenage rebellion, or the frustration with societal and personal failings, these prompts encourage exploring the raw, unfiltered sides of human emotion, pushing for expressive, impactful songwriting.
Loneliness Song Prompts
Loneliness, a universal human experience, ranges from the ache of unrequited love to the solitude of self-imposed exile. Thrasher’s prompts guide songwriters to express the shades of loneliness, whether it’s through the lens of a love triangle, the isolation of mental illness, or the simple act of seeking solace in nature.
Happiness Song Prompts
In contrast, happiness prompts burst with the potential for uplifting, joyous tracks. From celebrations and victories to the bliss of carefree moments and the warmth of nostalgia, these ideas aim to capture the essence of joy, whether it’s through spiritual enlightenment, the allure of fame, or the simple pleasures that light up life.
Sadness Song Prompts
Sadness, with its deep, reflective undertones, offers a canvas for songwriters to paint their sorrows. The prompts delve into loss, ennui, the trials of life not meeting expectations, and the poignant moments of unthinkable loss, inviting a cathartic exploration of the soul’s darker moments.
Jealousy Song Prompts
Jealousy, with its green-eyed gaze, provides fertile ground for storytelling. From coveting another’s love to the bitterness of perceived injustices and the desire for what others possess, these prompts explore the complex interplay of desire, resentment, and longing.
Revenge Song Prompts
Revenge, a narrative as old as time, stirs the pot of drama and action. Whether it’s the satisfaction of settling scores, the extremes of violent retribution, or the protective instincts that drive vengeance, these prompts offer a path to explore the darker, more primal aspects of human nature.
Bonus Prompts
The miscellaneous section, a catch-all for the ideas that defy neat categorization, encourages songwriters to stretch their creativity and explore unique, unconventional themes, ensuring that no spark of inspiration goes unexplored.
“Improve Songwriting” not only lights the way for those adrift in a sea of creative block but also serves as a compass, guiding songwriters through the vast, uncharted territories of human emotion and experience.
With these 101 prompts, the journey from a flicker of an idea to a fully realized song becomes a voyage of discovery, where every emotion, every twist of fate, and every shadowed corner of the heart is a story waiting to be told.
Source: 101 Songwriting Prompts: Quick Ideas for Writing Hit Songs! – Improve Songwriting
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