Take a leap of musical faith this leap-year. Write a melody around a large interval.
Examples: “Take On Me” (A-ha), “The Simpsons” (Danny Elfman), “Love Story” (Frances Lai), “Over The Rainbow” (Arlen/Yarburg).
War and peace. Love and death. The universe. Write a song about something BIG. If you write music only, write a soundtrack to a real or imagined production about a big topic.
Examples: “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” (Death Cab For Cutie), “Walking In Your Footsteps” (The Police), “Dear God” (XTC), “The Galaxy Song” (Monty Python).
Build a composition around a particular riff, vamp, or ostinato.
Examples: “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder), “You Really Got Me” (Kinks), “Enter Sandman” (Metallica), “Cantaloupe Island” (Herbie Hancock).
It may be boring to talk about the weather, but it's fun to sing about it! Write a song with a type of weather in the title.
Examples: “The Sound of Sunshine” (Michael Franti), “Singin' in the Rain” (Gene Kelly), “Shelter From The Storm” (Bob Dylan), “Summer Breeze” (Seals and Crofts).