One of the most powerful truths about songwriting is this: Ideas are everywhere.
But here’s the kicker—you need the courage to see them, capture them, and trust them.
Let’s unpack this…
The World Is a Song Waiting to Be Written
As songwriters, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking we need a bolt of lightning or some grand feat of inspiration before we can create something. But in reality, songwriting gold is already hidden in plain sight:
- A conversation at a café
- A single sentence from a book
- A weird dream you had at 3am
- The sound of rain hitting the roof
- An awkward silence
- A photo from your childhood
Every moment is a potential lyric, melody, or theme. You just have to be paying attention.
So What Gets in the Way?
The answer is very simple… Fear.
Not the scream-in-a-horror-movie kind, but the subtle, quiet kind that shows up like this:
- “That’s a dumb idea.”
- “No one will relate to this.”
- “It’s been done before.”
- “I’m not good enough to write something meaningful.”
It takes real courage to fight off those voices and write anyway.
The Courage to Be a Songwriter
Here’s what that kind of courage looks like in practice:
1. The Courage to Be Vulnerable
Some of the best songs come from the places we tend to hide. Real feelings. Real fears. Real moments. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s where the magic lives.
2. The Courage to Be Present
When you slow down and actually notice the world around you, inspiration starts showing up. A missed train, a look from a stranger, a line on a billboard, these things become lyrics when you’re open to them.
3. The Courage to Be Curious
You might not know exactly what a lyric or melody means right away. That’s okay. Follow it. Explore it. Give yourself permission to not know and trust the process.
4. The Courage to Be Honest
Sometimes your truth won’t be trendy or polished or “radio-friendly.” But if it’s honest, it will matter. That’s where your voice lives.
How to Train Yourself to Spot Song Ideas
Like anything else, noticing inspiration is a skill. You can build it. Here are some simple ways to start:
- Carry a notebook or voice memo app: write down phrases, thoughts, overheard dialogue, or melodies as they come.
- Journal regularly: freewriting can surface raw ideas that eventually become lyrics.
- Eavesdrop on the world: public transport, restaurants, waiting rooms. People say some beautifully strange things without knowing it.
- Watch how things make you feel: movies, music, memories, even mundane moments. That emotional reaction is your songwriting compass.
- Use prompts: grab a random object, quote, or photo and challenge yourself to write a verse or chorus based on it.
The World Isn’t Short on Ideas… Only Attention
You don’t need to wait for inspiration. You just need to show up.
Listen. Be willing to be uncomfortable. Be brave enough to write down the strange, small, honest things that catch your attention.
Because at the end of the day… Songwriting ideas are everywhere. You just need the courage to look for them and find them.
