Naming A Song isn't always the easiest thing to do.

Why do you think we developed a tool to automatically generate song names?

In this guide, we examine all the different types of song name, and look into the creative process behind naming a song and where to look for inspiration.

A song name can take various forms from typically summing the over all subject of a song up, to completely abstract titles that have no contextual relevance to the lyrics:

The One Liner

This uses the most frequently occuring line from the lyrics (usually in the chorus). This is probably the most common style, takes the least amount of creative effort and has been done to death (in our opinion).

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know

Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger

The One Word Wonder

This song name uses just one prominent word from the lyrics (usually the chorus) to convey the over-all meaning or central-theme of the song.

Blondie - Rapture

Oasis - Wonderwall

REM - Stand

The Low Profile

This subtle approach takes a less prominent, but poignant word or line in the lyrics (usually occurring only once in the entire song), to give it less of an 'in your face' vibe.

Smahing Pumpkins - 1979

REM - Losing My Religion

Alanis Morissette - Forgiven

The Chunk Up

A word that isn't taken from the lyrics of the song but sums up the theme of the subject matter.

Nirvana - Lithium

Aimee Mann - Long Shot

Eagles - The Last Resort

Abstract / Cryptic

A name that appears to have very little to do with the context of the song whatsoever.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Bob Dylan - Subterrainian Homesick Blues

Coldplay - Amsterdam

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Inspiration for Song Names

A good name can come from many places.

Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:

Lines from television and movies.

There are some great lines to be found in the cript of tv shows and movies.

Take (as a lil weird example) tiny lines from Home Alone can be turned into very cool sounding song titles:

"Hold It Right There"

"I Knew It Was You"

"Getting Off The Elevator"

Snippets of conversations you hear around you

For example, sitting here right now, I can directly transcribe stuff I hear being said around me:

"So Heavy"

"Stranger Things Have Happened"

"Straight Forward"

Signs and notices

Keep your eyes open to what is around you.

REM took the name 'Automatic For The People' from a sign at a local food place.

Pearl Jam called one of their albums 'Yield'.

You could do something similar.