Do you keep the room quiet or do you turn on the music when you write? If you’re in the latter group, there’s a song for most every writing situation. Which ones will you add to your playlist?
Building Your Writing Playlist
1 — Paperback Writer, the Beatles (1966)
It speaks for itself.
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
Lyrics by Paul McCartney and John Lennon
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
2 — Everyday I Write the Book, Elvis Costello (1983)
Writers keep on writing and they keep on dreaming.
Everyday, everyday, everyday I write the book …
Lyrics by Elvis Costello
Don’t tell me you don’t know the difference
Between a lover and a fighter
With my pen and my electric typewriter
Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal
I’d still own the film rights and be working on the sequel
3 — Dancing in the Dark, Bruce Springsteen (1984)
Every time I hear this song, I fist pump to this line. How about you?
I’m sick of sitting ’round here trying to write this book
Lyrics by Bruce Springsteen
4 — Typewriter, Alicia Keys (2011)
Whether it’s through a typewriter or a keyboard, writers just want to be understood.
You’re my typewriter
Lyrics by Alicia Keys and Kerry Brothers, Jr.
I write to you what I am thinking
Thinking in my head
You’re my typewriter
I write to you what I am thinking
Can’t you understand
5 — Your Song, Elton John (1970)
This one’s for the folks who write what they know.
And you can tell everybody this is your song
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
6 — I Could Write a Book, Harry Connick Jr. (1989)
From Dinah Washington to Frank Sinatra, so many greats sang this song. As a child of the 80s, Harry’s version is the one near and dear to my heart. Featured in When Harry Met Sally, the song encourages you to find inspiration in your own story.
If they ask me, I could write a book
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
About the way you walk and whisper and look
I could write a preface on how we met
So the world would never forget
7 — The Book I Read, The Talking Heads (1977)
What every writer wants to hear!
I’m writing ’bout the
Lyrics by David Byrne
Book I read
I have to sing about the
Book I read
I’m embarrassed to admit it hit the soft spot in my heart
When I found out you wrote the
Book I read so
8 — Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours), Stevie Wonder (1970)
This one’s for the writers sending out query letters and/or book proposals to literary agents who showed an interest in the past.
Like a fool, I went and stayed too long
Lyrics by Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Lula Mae Hardaway, and Syreeta Wright
Now, I’m wondering if your love’s still strong
Ooh baby, here I am
Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours
9 — The Letter, The Box Tops (1967)
A writer can’t help but celebrate when they get a full manuscript request or they land an agent or publishing deal.
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Lyrics by Wayne Carson
Ain’t got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I’m a-goin’ home
My baby, just a wrote me a letter
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