Inspirational techniques songwriters use to craft hits - 14 methods to try

Start big and work your way down. Grammy-winning songwriter Printz Board (Black Eyed Peas) uses a "macro to micro" approach to expand on big ideas and structure songs. Begin with a central theme, mood, or emotion—something that captures the big picture of your song. Break this idea into three related words that reflect key aspects of your story or feeling. Then, subdivide each of these three words into two smaller ideas or images. This gives you a framework to guide your song’s structure, with the three main words inspiring sections like the verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, while the smaller ideas shape the finer details.

This technique is a step-by-step way to move from a broad concept to specific, actionable elements, making songwriting feel less overwhelming and more focused. 👇

Try it:

• Think of a word that sums up your song’s theme—love, regret, hope, anything that resonates with your idea. Next, break it into three related words that describe your feelings or the different facets of the theme. For example, “love” might break into “longing,” “joy,” and “connection.” For each of these, write two smaller ideas—for instance, “longing” might become “distance” and “waiting.” Use these words to build your song sections, letting each one guide the tone and content of its part.

► ARTMASTER TIP: For more great tips, try out Printz's Songwriting Course, where he lays out his complete process to help you write a complete song from scratch. You can try it as part of your free 7-day trial.

Not every idea has to be perfect, and that’s okay. Songwriting is as much about persistence as it is about inspiration. John Legend has spoken about the importance of showing up and creating, even when you don’t feel particularly inspired. By allowing yourself to write freely without overthinking, you increase your chances of stumbling upon something extraordinary. Often, a “bad” idea can lead to a brilliant one when you revisit it later with fresh eyes.

The key is to let go of the pressure to get everything right on the first try. Writing consistently keeps your creativity sharp and helps you uncover unexpected ideas.

Try it:

• Make time to write regularly, even if you’re not feeling inspired. Jot down a few lines, hum a melody, or work on a half-formed idea without worrying about whether it’s any good. Come back to these scraps later—you might find a hidden gem or something that leads to your next great idea. Writing consistently keeps your creativity flowing.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Want to make your songwriting sessions even more productive? Learn how to maximize your practice time, stay focused, and overcome challenges in The art of effective music practice.

David Bowie’s cut-up technique is one of the most creative approaches to lyric writing. Inspired by writer William S. Burroughs, Bowie would take a page of text—whether it was his own writing, poetry, or even newspaper clippings—and physically cut it into pieces. By rearranging these fragments, he uncovered unexpected phrases, vivid imagery, and completely new ideas. This method gave his lyrics a fragmented, mysterious quality that became one of his trademarks.

Try it:

• Write down 15-20 words or phrases that relate to the theme or mood of your song. These could be vivid images, emotions, or even random thoughts that come to mind. Cut them out, shuffle them, and start arranging them into lines. Don’t try to make them fit perfectly—let the randomness guide you.

► ARTMASTER TIP: If you’re feeling stuck, don’t limit yourself to your own writing. Use a book, a newspaper article, or even song lyrics from a completely different genre.

Some of the most iconic songs in history have come from collaboration. Think of Lennon and McCartney, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, or modern duos like Billie Eilish and Finneas. A collaborator can bring fresh ideas, challenge your assumptions, and take your music to places you never imagined. The beauty of working with someone else is that their strengths can complement yours—where you might get stuck on lyrics, they might shine, or where your melodies feel predictable, they could suggest something exciting and new.

Try it:

• Find a songwriting partner or team and explore different ways of working together. Swap roles—if you usually focus on lyrics, let your partner take the lead while you handle melody. Or, try bouncing ideas off each other in real time: one of you plays a chord progression while the other improvises lyrics or a melody. If you can’t collaborate in person, technology makes it easy. Send each other audio clips, lyrics, or melodies to build on asynchronously.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Collaboration doesn’t have to mean co-writing the whole song. Sometimes, having someone critique your work or suggest tweaks can make all the difference.

Personal experiences are one of the most powerful tools in a songwriter’s arsenal. Taylor Swift and numerous others have built a career on turning vivid, specific memories into universal anthems. By focusing on the details—what you were feeling, where you were, what was happening around you—you can create lyrics that feel real and relatable. Listeners connect most with songs that come from a genuine place, even if the story isn’t their own. The more specific you are, the more universal your song can feel.

Try it:

• Choose a memory that’s vivid to you. What were you feeling? What were you wearing? Where were you? Use those details to paint a picture in your lyrics. If you’re not ready to write about your own experiences, try writing from someone else’s perspective. Imagine a moment in someone else’s life and step into their shoes.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Drawing from personal experiences not only helps you write authentic songs but also shapes your vocal identity. If you’re looking to take it further, check out our guide — How to develop your unique singing style. And don't forget to try Singing for Beginners or Singing LIVE! by pro-vocalist Stevvi Alexander to refine your skills and build confidence.

Traditional song structures like verse-chorus-verse or AABA are popular for a reason—they work. But some of the most memorable songs break these rules to fit the story or emotion they want to convey. Artists often play with structure, creating songs that feel dynamic and unpredictable. A surprise bridge, a reversed order, or even a song without a chorus can captivate listeners in ways a conventional structure might not.

The key to experimenting with structure is to let the song dictate its shape. Ask yourself: does this story need repetition, or does it need to evolve? Should the hook come early, or should it be a slow build? By stepping away from formulas, you open up new ways to express your ideas.

Try it:

• Take a song idea and start with a familiar structure—verse-chorus-verse, for instance. Once you have the basics, start experimenting:

  • Repeat the verse twice before introducing the chorus.

  • Add a surprise bridge or instrumental break where the listener expects a chorus.

  • End with an unresolved pre-chorus instead of looping back to the hook.

  • Build the entire song around one recurring lyric or melody.

• If you’re feeling bold, try writing a song without a chorus at all. Focus on verses that evolve and tell a story, like a short film in song form.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Study songs with unconventional structures. For example, Radiohead’s “Pyramid Song” builds slowly with no clear verse-chorus pattern, while Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” moves through multiple sections like a mini opera. Analyze what makes these structures work and see how you can apply similar ideas to your own music.

Modern technology has opened up endless possibilities for songwriting. Artists from Radiohead and Pink Floyd to Billie Eilish and Imogen Heap have incorporated unconventional sounds. Found sounds, like a creaking door or the hum of a coffee machine, can add texture and personality to your music, while technology allows you to manipulate these sounds in exciting ways. With just a microphone, a phone, or a DAW, you can create entirely new sonic landscapes.

Try it:

• Take your phone or recording device and capture sounds from your surroundings. It could be birdsong in the park, footsteps, the rustle of paper, or the rhythmic tapping of rain on your window. Import these recordings into your DAW and experiment with layering them into your track. Try using a door creak as a percussive element or a kettle’s whistle as part of your melody.

► ARTMASTER TIP: If you want to find out more about DAWs and setting up a basic home studio check out our guide — Essential tools for home music production.

Sometimes, chaos is the spark your creativity needs. Tom Waits famously turned on multiple radios at once, letting the overlapping noise inspire melodies, rhythms, and lyrics. This unconventional method helped him find fragments of ideas he wouldn’t have uncovered otherwise.

Try it:

• Play a podcast, a random YouTube video, and a song simultaneously. Let the overlapping rhythms, melodies, and snippets of dialogue create a new soundscape. Sing or hum along to the parts that stand out, and record everything. Later, pick out the ideas that resonate most and develop them into your song.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Experiment with noise generators, distortion effects, or random sample playback in your DAW to mimic chaotic layers. Try layering dissonant chords or offbeat rhythms into your track and see how they interact with your main melody.

Call and response is a timeless technique rooted in gospel, blues, and folk music, but it’s just as powerful in modern songwriting. This interplay of a “call” (a question or statement) and a “response” (an answer or echo) adds energy, drama, and interaction to a song. Beyoncé uses this brilliantly in songs like "Irreplaceable", where her commanding calls are met with empowering responses, while Adele’s "Hello" subtly incorporates the technique to convey a heartfelt dialogue.

Try it:

• Write a “call” line—this could be a question, a bold statement, or even a single melodic phrase. Then, write a “response” that complements or contrasts it. For example, your call might be a direct question (“Where did you go?”), and the response could be an emotional answer (“I’m still here”). You can use vocals, instruments, or even different voices to deliver each part.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Experiment with layering call and response elements in your production. Try having the call sung by a lead vocal and the response delivered by a backing choir, a contrasting instrument, or even a sampled sound. This dynamic interplay can make your song feel bigger and more immersive.

Some of the greatest songs are born from reimagining existing ideas. The Beatles were masters of this, taking inspiration from classical music, blues, and other artists, and transforming it into something completely their own. For instance, "Because" was inspired by Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata", but by reversing the chords and adding their unique touch, they created a hauntingly original track. Borrowing isn’t about copying—it’s about evolution, reshaping what inspires you into something fresh and uniquely yours.

This technique encourages you to build on the foundations laid by others while adding your perspective and creativity. It’s a great way to break through writer’s block or find a fresh angle for your music.

Try it:

• Pick a song, riff, or melody that inspires you. Focus on one element—a chord progression, a rhythm, or a hook—and change it. Play it backward, slow it down, or rework it in a different key. Use this as the seed for your own song, letting it grow into something uniquely yours.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Combine influences from multiple sources. Take the rhythm of one song, the harmony of another, and layer your own style on top. This mashup approach can lead to music that feels both familiar and groundbreaking. Don’t forget to make it personal—your unique voice is what makes the transformation complete.

Sometimes the best melodies come when you stop overthinking and just let your instincts take over. Songwriters like Carole King have built their careers by improvising melodies over simple chord progressions, letting natural intuition guide their creativity. This approach captures raw emotion and spontaneity, resulting in melodies that feel organic and memorable.

Improvising a melody is also a great way to get unstuck when you’re struggling to find the right tune. By focusing on the feel of the music rather than perfection, you can unlock ideas that wouldn’t emerge through a more calculated process.

Try it:

• Pick a simple chord progression and start singing along. Don’t worry about the lyrics—just let your voice explore the melody. Record everything, even the parts that feel messy or off-key. Once you’re done, listen back and pick out the parts that stand out. Use these fragments as the foundation for your song.

► ARTMASTER TIP: In his Songwriting course, Printz uses this technique to come up with melodies and lyrics. See it in action, as well as his complete songwriting process 👇

Sometimes the best ideas come when you don’t have time to overthink. Sia swears by setting short time limits for writing sessions to capture raw, instinctive ideas. Printz Board shares a similar story about "Where Is the Love?", which he co-wrote with will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas. The song’s concept and core were written in just 15 minutes. Setting a timer isn’t about rushing perfection—it’s about generating ideas quickly and building momentum. You can always refine later, but the key is to get something on the page.

Try it:

• Set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes. Pick a starting point—a lyric idea, a melody, or even a random thought—and write without stopping until the timer goes off. Don’t edit or judge your work; just let the ideas flow. Once the time is up, go back and sift through what you’ve written. You might find a line, a hook, or even a full song idea waiting to be developed.

Some of the most powerful songs leave the listener with a lingering thought rather than a tidy resolution. Bob Dylan famously used this technique, ending songs with open-ended questions that invite interpretation and keep listeners thinking long after the music fades. By not providing all the answers, you draw your audience into the song’s emotional core and let them connect their own stories to the music.

Try it:

• Write a song where the final lyric is a question. It doesn’t have to be direct—it could be rhetorical, metaphorical, or reflective. For example, instead of ending with “I’ll always be here,” try asking, “Will I always be here?” This shift adds a layer of vulnerability and mystery to your song.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Experiment with delivery. Pair the question with a soft fade-out, a haunting echo, or an unresolved melody to amplify its emotional impact.

Even the best songwriters are always learning. At ArtMaster, you can dive into the creative processes of industry legends like Printz Board, who breaks down his award-winning techniques in easy-to-follow steps. Whether you’re learning how to structure a song from scratch, refine your melodies, or capture authentic emotion in your lyrics,

Try it:

• Start a free 7-day trial to try Printz Board’s Songwriting course and gain access to all our other courses, from guitar, piano and bass to singing, home recording and orchestral music production. With step-by-step guidance from world-class musicians, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to write your best songs yet.

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now!