Song Prompts

A song prompt is a starter. It’s a way to get to a song by assigning yourself a specific focus.
The benefit of a prompt is that you’ve got a way to keep writing songs even when you may not feel particularly inspired.
That way, when inspiration does hit, you’ve practiced so many times you’ve got the tools to make your inspired idea shine!
They also keep you from writing the same old song ideas: love, loss, regret, happy beer mug raisers, etc. They get you onto a different path every now and again.
Who knows, something surprising may happen!
As an example, Nanci Griffith’s “Love At The Five And Dime” came from a prompt assignment she chose to complete. The song ended up being Kathy Mattea’s first single and breakthrough hit in 1986.
Tips To Take Advantage of the Prompts
- Don’t get bogged down in delivering exactly what the prompt outlines. This is about jogging your brain and getting the creativity going, so have fun!
- Don’t just pick prompts that you’ve already got ideas for in your hook book. Go for the unusual or those that seem off the wall. You’ll be amazed at what can happen with prompts you initially think . . . well that’s just nonsense!
- Start collecting your own prompts so you have an endless supply. You can store them in the back of your hook book to keep them separate from your hooks and other song ideas.
- Complete a prompt-inspired song at least once a month to make sure you’re pushing your song craft thought processes and writing.
Choose A Prompt
- 11 “Things” Song Prompts
- 11 More “Things” Song Prompts
- Create A New Song Idea: Twist On A Cliche
- Create A Song Prompt: Noun + Verb
- Generate or Find Online Song Prompts
- Halloween Song Prompt: Noun + Verb
- Holiday Song Prompt: Holiday Memory
- Holiday Song Prompt: What If The Elf Could Talk?
- Holiday Song Prompt: Worst Gift Ever?
- Song Prompt: Break The Rules
- Song Prompt: Common Object
- Song Prompt: Confrontation
- Song Prompt: Finding Like Objects
- Song Prompt: Hometown Theme
- Song Prompt: How Was Your Weekend?
- Song Prompt: Memories + Word Challenge
- Song Prompt: Mystery Package
- Song Prompt: Picture Of Yourself
- Song Prompt: Song Plot Roulette
- Song Prompt: Start With A Simile
- Song Prompt: Start With The Chorus
- Song Prompt: The Life Of An Historic Character
- Song Prompt: Thinking Out Loud
- Song Prompt: Write A Book
- Zane Williams: Word Challenge Exercise