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Writer's pictureMacy DeBosier

30 Great Songs for Book Inspiration


I spend most of my day with my headphones in. Listening to music plays a pivotal role in my writing. I highly recommend having a book playlist, a character playlist, and I also like to have a playlist of movie scores and ballads for while I'm actually writing. Here are 30 songs that are great for inspiring you to write.


1. Natural-Imagine Dragons

Do you have a character who has to do whatever it takes to survive? I find this song great for thinking about those badass survivors who know what it takes to make it. Sometimes they have to set their morals aside and go for it, as long as they're alive the next day it doesn't really matter.


2. Hell or High Water-The Rescues

When the stakes are high and it's time for the final battle, this is a great song to use to plan. This isn't exactly a popular and well-known song, but I recommend it to anyone who writes.


3. Even if it Hurts-Sam Tinnesz

This is a good song for inspiring fighting through the struggle and carrying on. I love to think of the character, blood dripping from their nose, exhausted and about to fall apart, but they're still kicking, screaming, and fighting.


4. Warrior-Beth Crowley

A great song for your character who has started out normal and innocent, but has risen to the charge and find the strength that has always been in them.


5. Believer-Imagine Dragons

Most people know this song, but I just have to recommend it because this song works for intense fight scenes and even sometimes sex scenes. Honestly, I wonder what people who don't write think of while listening to this epic song.


6. Broken Crown-Mumford & Sons

I know it says crown, but this song is a great one even if your story doesn't contain royalty. Any song can trigger any type of scene in your book.


7. Prayer of the Refugee-Rise Against

This is a great song for soldier type tropes. My sister says it's perfect for her dystopian novel. I personally think it's good for all kinds of heroes.


8. The Devil Within-Digital Daggers

I am a big Digital Daggers when it comes to inspiration. This song is great for protagonist vs. antagonist.


9. You're Gonna Go Far Kid-The Offspring

I love this song for a good training scene.


10. Yellow Flicker Beat-Lorde

Great for a comeback or a badass queen! The song comes from The Mockingjay Part 1 album.


11. Whatever It Takes-Imagine Dragons

This list will teach you that I love Imagine Dragons. Trust me, you won't regret turning to this song for inspiration.


12. Silhouettes-Of Monsters and Men

This song is on the Catching Fire album. I find it great for reflecting on character growth.


13. Wreak Havoc-Skylar Grey

Are any of your characters drawn to chaos? No matter how hard some people try and turn away they always happen to be at the center of the fire, the one who started it, or all of the above.


14. The Mountain-Three Days Grace

Sometimes your character has been through a lot and has to keep pushing through. "Even when I feel like dying, keep climbing the mountain." It can be a little dark, but a little darkness never hurt anyone.

15. Gladiator-Zayde Wolfe

A great song to listen to when thinking of a battle.


16. Battlefield-Svrcina

My personal favorite song to listen to when I think of epic alliances and people fighting side by side in a war.


17. Monster-Imagine Dragons

Do you have a character who is suppressing a dark side? Good, check out this song. It's not a well-known Imagine Dragons song, but I love it.


18. Start a War-Klergy

I originally heard this song on Riverdale, which is strange. It only proves that it can be used for everything.


19. Conquest of Spaces-Woodkid

This is my favorite Woodkid song. I recommend checking out the artist in general though.


20. Control-Halsey

Halsey might seem like a strange artist to turn to. I love it for characters going dark or for terrifying antagonists. "And all the kids cried out please stop you're scaring me. I can't help this awful energy. Goddamn right, you should be scared of me. Who is in control?"


21. Dear God-Lawless

This song works great for thinking about writing and listening to while you actually write. That is why I love it.


22. Harley Quinn-Anna Murphy

Devotion, toxic relationships, going dark, this song works great for all of the above and more. Yes, it's a little on the darker side.


23. Arsonist's Lullaby

A great song for determination and a for a warrior. Also, if fire is a thing in your book, you must listen to this song.


24. How Far Does the Dark Go?-Anya Marina

I love this song for character's being corrupted. It works great for all things dark or creepy.


25. Scars-Boy Epic

"Can you see me scars? Can you feel my heart? This is all of me, for all of the world to see."


26. Heroes Fall-Hidden Citizens

This is a great song for that moment in your story where it seems like all hop is lost.


27. The Phoenix- Fall Out Boy

A great song for an intense fight scene.


28. The World is not Enough-Garbage

The song can work for villains, but it also works great for ambition. I also love it for all leaders.


29. Run-AWOLNATION

Listen to this song to inspire you to write your dark and twisted characters. Everyone loves a good psychopath.


30. Immortals-Fall Out Boy

You can listen to this song to inspire so many things. Personally, I like to think about my ride or die duos during this song.


Thanks for reading! Now, go check out these songs I promise You'll get something out of these inspirational songs. I am always looking for new writing music. Please feel free to comment suggestions or any other opinions on the post. If you really enjoyed the list, share it with other writers.

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