Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/item_id/2293321-The-One-Line-Lyric-Challenge
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A musically-inspired challenge with writing prompts posted twice a month. Prizes included! |
Size: 35 Entries
Created: April 2nd, 2023 at 1:18pm
Modified: February 17th, 2025 at 12:57am
Access:
No Restrictions
Welcome to the One-Line Lyric Challenge!
Every month, I will post two songs: One with a lyric prompt (start of the month) and one as a song prompt (middle of the month).
Entries will be due at the end of the month for either prompt.
Lyric Prompt: Write a poem or story and include the prompted lyric line somewhere in your work, word for word. It's up to you how you want to incorporate the line. Please bold the line to make it easier for me to find. It's OK if your work is loosely inspired by the song, but try not to make it too similar or copy the song. If you don't like the provided lyric prompt, you can pick a different line from the lyrics to incorporate (only one line).
Song Prompt: Write a poem or story inspired by the song. You do not need to include any lyrics directly, and in some cases there may not be any lyrics. Just write whatever the music or lyrics inspires.
Please link back to the challenge somewhere in your entry using {item:lyric} and post your entry as a link in the comments here.
The Prizes: 5K GPs, a merit badge of my choosing, plus a guaranteed review of your entry.
If you enter both prompts that month, you will get double the prizes!
Feel free to listen and comment on the music or other people's entries, even if you don't plan to enter the challenge! There may be gift points in store for people who are active in the comments or share / promote the challenge.
 
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February 17, 2025 at 12:57am
February 17, 2025 at 12:57am
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This song by the trio Nickel Creek has been on my mind lately. A song about the dangers of blindly following the crowd and not believing the experts.
No reason.
On an unrelated note, for those not following along at home, funding has been slashed and thousands of federal workers were terminated this week, including close friends of mine. The Department of Education, the CDC, the FDA, and the National Institutes of Health are in shambles. The entire field of science, health and medicine has been crippled.
But I'm sure we won't be needing them.
Song Prompt: "When in Rome" by Nickel Creek
Lyrics: ▼
Where can a sick man go
When he can't choke down the medicine the old doc knows?
A specialist came to town, but he stays at home
Sayin', "No one knows, so I don't."
Honey, when in Rome
Where can a teacher go?
Wherever she thinks people need the things she knows
Hey, those books you gave us look good on the shelves at home
And they'll burn warm in the fireplace
Teacher, when in Rome
Grab a blanket, sister, we'll make smoke signals
Bring in some new blood, it feels like we're alone
Grab a blanket, brother, so we don't catch cold
From one another, I wonder if we're stuck in Rome
Where can a dead man go?
A question with an answer only dead men know
But I'm gonna bet they never really feel at home
If they spent a lifetime learning how to live in Rome
This is a song prompt so you don't have to incorporate any line.
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February 3, 2025 at 2:15pm
February 3, 2025 at 2:15pm
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Slightly delayed, but here is the lyric prompt for February!
Hozier (full name: Andrew John Hozier-Byrne) is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. His work is mostly inspired by folk, soul and blues, and he includes a lot of of religious themes (often in defiance of organized religion) and social commentary in his music and lyrics. You've probably heard his biggest hit, "Take me to Church". This is one of his newer songs.
Note that the video is a little intense. Here's a link to the lyrics only version, if you don't like themes of hospitals and/or death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=potq6EfzFTI.
"All Things End" by Hozier
Lyrics: ▼
A two-tonne weight around my chest feels like
It just dropped a twenty-story height
If there was anyone to ever get through this life
With their heart still intact, they didn't do it right
The last time I felt your weight on my chest, you said
"We didn't get it right but, love, we did our best"
And we will again
Moving on in time and taking more from
Everything that ends
And all things end
All that we intend is scrawled in sand
Or slips right through our hands
And just knowing
That everything will end
Should not change our plans
When we begin again
I have never known a silence like the one fallen here
Never watched my future darken in a single tear
I know we want this to go easy by being somebody's fault
But we've gone long enough to know this isn't what we want
And that isn't always bad
When people say that something is forever
Either way, it ends
And all things end
All that we intend is scrawled in sand
Or slips right through our hands
And just knowing
That everything will end
Should not change our plans
When we begin again
Darling
And all things end
All that we intend is built on sand
Slips right through our hands
And just knowing
That everything will end
Won't change our plans
When we begin again
And all things end (knowing we can always start again)
All that we intend (knowing we have another day)
Is scrawled in sand (knowing we can always start again)
Or slips right through our hands (knowing we have another day)
And just knowing (knowing we can always start again)
That everything will end
Should not change our plans
When we begin again
Lyric Prompt: "scrawled in sand"
Include the above line somewhere in your entry.
If you don't like the given prompt, you can chose another line from the lyrics above. |
January 15, 2025 at 11:14pm
January 15, 2025 at 11:14pm
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Here we have a live performance from a natural born storyteller with a timeless and soulful voice. This album (of the same title) was written a few days before the attacks on September 11th, and was dedicated to the victims.
Merchant was quoted as saying: "It is very strange how events are conspiring to give this song possible new meaning I could never have imagined."
My motherland is currently on fire.
How about yours?
Song Prompt: "Motherland" by Natalie Merchant
Lyrics: ▼
Where in the hell can you go
Far from the things that you know
Far from the sprawl of concrete that keeps crawling its way
About 1,000 miles a day
Take one last look behind
Commit this to memory and mind
Don't miss this wasteland, this terrible place
When you leave
Keep your heart off your sleeve.
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me, don't go
Don't you go
Oh, my five & dime queen
Tell me what have you seen
The lust and the avarice
The bottomless, cavernous greed
Is that what you see?
Oh Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
stay beside me, don't go
It's your happiness
I want most of all
And for that I'd do anything at all
Oh mercy me!
If you want the best of it
Or the most of all
If there's anything I can do at all
Now come on shot gun bride
What makes me envy your life?
Faceless, nameless, innocent, blameless and free
What's that like to be?
Oh Motherland
Cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me, don't go
Don't go
This is a song prompt so you don't have to incorporate any line.
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January 2, 2025 at 12:29am
January 2, 2025 at 12:29am
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Starting off the new year with a song by one of my favorite male vocalists, Don Henley of the Eagles.
Because sometimes, all you want to do is dance.
Never mind the heat coming off the street.
"All She Wants To Do Is Dance" by Don Henley
Lyrics: ▼
They're pickin' up the prisoners
And puttin 'em in a pen
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
Rebels been rebels
Since I don't know when
And all she wants to do is dance
Molotov cocktail, the local drink
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
They mix 'em up right
In the kitchen sink
And all she wants to do is dance
Crazy people walkin' round with blood in their eyes
And all she wants to do is dance, dance, dance
Wild-eyed pistol wavers who ain't afraid to die
And all she wants to do is
And all she wants to do is dance
And make romance
She can't feel the heat
Comin' off the street
She wants to party
She wants to get down
All she wants to do is
All she wants to do is dance
Well the government bugged the men's room
In the local disco lounge
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
To keep the boys from sellin'
All the weapons they could scrounge
And all she wants to do is dance
Yeah, but that don't keep the boys from makin' a buck or two
And all she wants to do is dance, dance
They still can sell the army
All the drugs that they can do
And all she wants to do is
All she wants to do is dance
And make romance
Well we barely make the airport
For the last plane out
As we taxied down the runway
I could hear the people shout
They said, "don't come back here Yankee"
But if I ever do
I'll bring more money
'Cause all she wants to do is dance
And make romance
Never mind the heat
Comin' off the street
She wants to party
She wants to get down
All she wants to do is
All she wants to do is dance
And make romance
All she wants to do is dance
Lyric Prompt: "Never mind the heat"
Include the above line somewhere in your entry.
If you don't like the given prompt, you can chose another line from the lyrics above.
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December 15, 2024 at 10:46pm
December 15, 2024 at 10:46pm
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I find this song fitting as we approach the end of another year.
The coming year is a complete unknown. I don't know where I'll be living or working just a couple of months from now.
I don't know what's going to happen politically to my country. I don't know what's going to happen financially.
I don't know what life I'll be living, but it won't be this one.
Which might not be such a bad thing...
Guess I'll have to ask the timekeeper.
Song Prompt: "Timekeeper" by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Lyrics: ▼
Time Keeper, I can't believe how long it's been
Time Keeper, I wish I could start over again
I'm too young to be feeling this way
Yeah, I'm wasted as I lie awake
(There goes another day)
Time Keeper
Please won't you slow it down tonight?
Time Keeper, the days are rolling by
Time Keeper, tell me I'm gonna be alright
Time Keeper, I thought I'd have it right by now
But Time Keeper, everything's still spinning out
I'm undone, breaking out of the cage
But before the beast can get away
(There goes another day)
Time Keeper
Please won't you slow it down tonight?
Time Keeper, the days are rolling by
Time Keeper, tell me I'm gonna be alright
So choke the dawn and damn the daylight
Time is just an invisible line
Time Keeper, I'm hoping you hear me tonight
Time Keeper
Please won't you slow it down tonight?
Time Keeper, the days are rolling by
Time Keeper, tell me I'm gonna be alright
Although lyrics are provided, this is a song prompt so you don't have to incorporate any line.
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December 1, 2024 at 6:05pm
December 1, 2024 at 6:05pm
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The Fleet Foxes are an indie folk band from Seattle known for their artistry, lyricism and harmonies. Lyrics and song writing by Robin Pecknold.
This December, float away with me to a sunny paradise in Greece.
"Mykonos" by Fleet Foxes
Lyrics: ▼
The door slammed loud and rose up a cloud of dust on us
Footsteps follow down through the hollow sound, torn up
And you will go to Mykonos
With a vision of a gentle coast
And a sun to maybe dissipate
Shadows of the mess you made
Pallid animals in the snow-tipped pines, I find
Hatching from the seed of your thin mind, all night
And you will go to Mykonos
With a vision of a gentle coast
And a sun to maybe dissipate
Shadows of the mess you made
Brother, you don't need to turn me away
I was waiting down at the ancient gate
You go wherever you go today
You go today
I remember how they took you down
As the winter turned the meadow brown
You go wherever you go today
You go today
When out walking, brother, don't you forget
It ain't often that you'll ever find a friend
You go wherever you go today
You go today
Lyric Prompt: "Footsteps follow"
Include the above line somewhere in your entry.
If you don't like the given prompt, you can chose another line from the lyrics above.
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November 17, 2024 at 5:58pm
November 17, 2024 at 5:58pm
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Here's the song prompt for November, from one of the greatest and most influential bands in history. I don't think we've had the honor yet of a Beatles song for the One-Line Lyric Challenge. And that just won't do.
Song Prompt: "I Me Mine" by The Beatles
This is a song prompt, so there are no specific lyrics to incorporate. Just write whatever the song inspires. |
November 1, 2024 at 8:31pm
November 1, 2024 at 8:31pm
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This November, I'm calling the Karma Police. I hope they'll clean up a few messes we've made...
Caution: This is one of those songs that you can get lost in.
"Karma Police" by Radiohead
Lyrics: ▼
Karma police, arrest this man
He talks in maths, he buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio
Karma police, arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
Karma police, I've given all I can
It's not enough, I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Lyric Prompt: "(He's) like a detuned radio"
(Words in parentheses are optional.)
Include the above line somewhere in your entry.
If you don't like the given prompt, you can chose another line from the lyrics above.
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October 17, 2024 at 12:28am
October 17, 2024 at 12:28am
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A Halloween special! This is probably a new band to most of you. They aren't very well known, but I think you'll find that they should be. The stage presence, the creativity, the musicality, and the energy is just off the charts. Pretty ironic, given the band's theme.
I picked a tame one since this challenge is rated for everyone, but the majority of their songs are quite lyrically spicy. Just a warning, if you go looking them up. This is not a band that I would call "politically correct".
Watch out! Here come the mummies!
Song Prompt: "Do You Believe" by Here Come the Mummies
Write a story or poem about a superstition.
(Intro is a bit long, main song starts about 3 minutes in if you want to skip it.) |
October 1, 2024 at 11:16pm
October 1, 2024 at 11:16pm
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Todays pick may be a little bit autobiographical.
"Undun" by The Guess Who
Lyrics: ▼
She's come undone
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
It was too late
She's come undone
She found a mountain that was far too high
And when she found out she couldn't fly
It was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undone
She wanted truth, but all she got was lies
Came the time to realize
And it was too late
She's come undone
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
Mama, it was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undone
Too many mountains and not enough stairs to climb
Too many churches and not enough truth
Too many people and not enough eyes to see
Too many lives to lead and not enough time
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come undone
She didn't know what she was headed for
And when I found what she was headed for
It was too late
She's come undone
She found a mountain that was far too high
And when she found out she couldn't fly
Mama, it was too late
It's too late
She's gone too far
She's lost the sun
She's come... undone
Lyric Prompt: "It was too late"
Include the above line somewhere in your entry.
Remember that you can chose another line from the lyrics above if you don't like the given one. |
© Copyright 2025 Anni Pon (UN: annipon at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/item_id/2293321-The-One-Line-Lyric-Challenge
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