Songwriting Sunday: Inspiration Comes From Strange Places


Inspiration comes from strange places. I got inspired by cat videos and a song came out. It is always interesting to trace the origins of songs, and mine usually come from two sources - silly things or client goals. This one came from silly cat videos and is called "Naughty, Naughty Kitty Cat." I paired it with a "Match the Ornament" game during one of my groups.

Before the start of my music therapy day, I tend to spend about 15 minutes tuning my guitar and engaging in some random strumming. I think about the day that is ahead, and I either play songs that I know really well or I settle into a chord progression and just start to make music.

Usually, good or fun songs emerge right before a group enters the room. Now, I've been doing this a long time, and I know that I will NOT remember a good song if I do not write it down. Since this is the case, I have post-it notes and a pencil in a drawer right next to my guitar stand. When inspiration strikes, I write down lyrics, chords, and a melody line with any other notes that I want to remember later. Always in pencil. Always.

I can use this song for other seasons beside this one. I can use it for other events - any sort of thing that happens when cats are in the environment! It will end up in my Cat version of my sing about themes with the other Cat TMEs that I have been collecting and composing. Time to get those things up and running again. Quest?? Perhaps. We will see!

There is no wrong place to find inspiration. It comes easier than some times than others, but there is wrong place to find it. I have composed great songs about getting all my things together in the morning before leaving my house. I've made up strange games out of client goals. Things clients say make their ways into songs that I share with other clients. It is a fascinating process to me.

Inspiration can also strike at any time, so I keep notetaking materials with me every place I go. There is a small book in my purse at all times. I have a songwriting kit at work and at home that help me record ideas as they arrive. I am hoping to get some good ideas during some resting time coming up pretty soon. We will see. 

Look for some new sing about songs editions in 2025, and, if you are looking for ideas for the upcoming months, check out the older sing about songs editions available in my TPT store for $15.00 or less!

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