Every songwriter knows this feeling.
You sit down with your instrument, the notebook is open and the DAW is armed and waiting.
And… nothing. No spark. No pull.
No inner voice whispering lyrics into your ear. Just that dull, grey sense of blah. These are the days when the mythical “muse” feels like it’s packed its bags and left town but the good news is this: inspiration isn’t gone. It’s just quiet.
This article is inspired by a great piece from SongTown titled “When the Muse Goes Missing: How I Jump-Start Inspiration on Blah Days”, written by Marty Dodson. Rather than waiting for inspiration to strike, the article focuses on simple, practical ways to get songs moving again when motivation is low.
What follows is a songwriter-to-songwriter breakdown of the ideas, with a focus on how you can apply them in real life.
The Reality of “Blah Days” in Songwriting
Blah days aren’t failures. They’re not signs you’ve run out of ideas or that you’re “not cut out for this.”
They’re simply part of the creative cycle.
Sometimes the brain is tired. Sometimes life has taken up more mental space than usual. Sometimes you’ve just written a lot and your creative muscles need warming up again.
The mistake many songwriters make is assuming that great songs only arrive when inspiration feels loud and obvious. In reality, inspiration often shows up after you start working, not before.
Stop Waiting for the Muse to Feel Like Writing
One of the most useful ideas in the SongTown article is this shift in mindset: The muse doesn’t need to be chased. It needs to be invited.
That invitation isn’t mystical. It’s practical.
Instead of asking, “Do I feel inspired enough to write today?” Ask, “What small action could I take to get things moving?”
Practical Ways to Jump-Start a Songwriting Day
Here are the core methods outlined in the article, translated into everyday songwriting habits.
Slow the Moment Down First
Before reaching for chords or lyrics, pause.
Take a few slow breaths. Notice what’s around you. Let your nervous system settle. Creativity doesn’t thrive in tension, and even a minute of stillness can change how your brain responds.
This isn’t about meditation. It’s about clearing enough mental noise so ideas have room to land.
Steal Sparks From Other Words
When your own words won’t come, borrow the energy of someone else’s.
Read quotes. Skim poetry. Flick through a book. Look for lines that make you pause, even if they don’t make sense yet.
You’re not looking for lyrics to copy. You’re looking for angles, emotions, or characters that spark curiosity. One strange sentence can unlock an entire song idea.
Let Rhythm Do the Heavy Lifting
If melody and lyrics feel stuck, hand control over to rhythm.
Open a drum loop. Play a groove. Tap out patterns. Hum nonsense over the top. Rhythm bypasses the overthinking part of the brain and reconnects you with instinct.
Many songs don’t start as “ideas.” They start as movement.
Borrow Chords Without Borrowing the Song
Using an existing chord progression isn’t cheating. It’s training.
Take a progression from a song you love and write a completely new melody over it. Don’t worry about originality yet. Worry about flow.
Once the melody exists, you can always change the chords later. The goal here is momentum, not perfection.
Shrink the Task Until It’s Impossible to Avoid
Writing a “song” can feel overwhelming. Writing a title does not.
Break the task down:
- Come up with one title
- Write one sentence about the song
- List three moments or images
Tiny steps build trust with your creative brain. Once momentum starts, it often carries you further than planned.
Write With Someone Else
If your ideas feel stale, invite another mind into the room.
Co-writing isn’t about splitting talent. It’s about multiplying curiosity. Someone else’s half-formed idea can become the missing piece to your song.
Even talking through ideas without writing can reset your perspective.
Trust That the Pattern Works
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the SongTown article is this:
The process works even when belief is low.
You don’t need confidence. You need consistency. If you keep showing up and using tools like these, inspiration almost always finds a way back in.
A Simple “Blah Day” Rescue Plan
If everything feels flat, try this in order:
- Pause and breathe for two minutes
- Read random quotes and free-write
- Open a rhythm and mumble melodies
- Borrow a chord progression and sing over it
- Reduce the song to a title and three ideas
You don’t need all five. One is usually enough to get things moving.
My Final Thought: Action Creates Inspiration
The muse isn’t a fragile creature that vanishes forever. It’s more like a shy collaborator that responds to effort.
Most songs aren’t written because the writer felt inspired. They’re written because the writer showed up anyway.
Blah days aren’t the enemy. They’re the doorway.
Source: When the Muse Goes Missing: How I Jump-Start Inspiration on Blah Days – SongTown
