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A musically-inspired challenge with monthly writing prompts. Prizes included! |
Size: 15 Entries
Created: April 2nd, 2023 at 1:18pm
Modified: April 14th, 2024 at 5:39pm
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No Restrictions
The Challenge: Write a poem or story and incorporate the prompted lyric somewhere in your work, word for word. Use it for the opening line, dialogue, character description, whatever you want. There's no time limit. Please only use the prompted line, not more of the lyrics. Entry should be at least 10 lines for a poem, or 100 words for a story. Your work doesn't have to be related to the song at all, as long as you include one of the prompts. Part of the challenge is to see how you can reinterpret and work the lyric into your own work. Take the line in a new direction and get creative with it!
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 for entering with the regular prompt or 10K GPs for entering with the challenge prompt, plus a guaranteed review of your entry and a merit badge of my choosing.
Feel free to listen and comment on the music 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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For April, we have a classic from Fleetwood Mac. Based on the story of a legendary old Welsh witch, Rhiannon.
Live, of course, because there's nothing quite like watching Stevie Nicks perform.
I think there's been a bit of confusion around here about how the challenge works, so I'll try and clarify for those who are new (or old) and confused: Every month, I'll post a song with a line from the lyrics as a writing prompt. Lately I've been posting two prompts so that you have the option to pick either one (but not both). The challenge is to include the line, word for word, in a story or poem of your own. It's up to you how you want to incorporate the line. It's fine if your entry is inspired by the song, but try not to make it too similar or copy the song. The idea is to get creative and use the given prompt in a different way or context.
Just ask if you still have any questions about how it works! It's not meant to be strict, so as long as you include the prompt in your work you'll probably get the prizes.
As it stands, you can still go back and do any of the previous prompts if you want to!
And if you haven't already, please fill out this quick little survey: "The One-Line Lyric Challenge Pop Quiz!" 
This is your chance to have a say in how things are run! (plus, you'll get GPs for filling it out)
"Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac
Lyrics: ▼
Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn't you love to love her?
She rules her life like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover?
All your life you've never seen
Woman taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven?
Will you ever win?
She is like a cat in the dark
And then she is the darkness
She rules her life like a fine skylark
And when the sky is starless
Once in a million years a lady like her rises
Rhiannon, you cry, but she's gone
Your life knows no answer
Yeah, your life knows no answer
Rhiannon...
She rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn't you love to love her?
She rules her life like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover?
Once in a million years a lady like her rises
Rhiannon, you cry, but she's gone
Your life knows no answer
Yeah, your life knows no answer
Rhiannon...
Taken by, taken by the sky
[Guitar Solo]
Dreams unwind
Love's a state of mind
Dreams unwind
Love's a state of mind
Take me like the wind, child
Take me to the sky
All the same, all the same, all the same
Rhiannon
Prompt: "Taken by the wind"
Challenge Prompt: "When the sky is starless"
Note that there are TWO prompts now to choose from.
The challenge prompt is meant to be a bit harder, so it's worth a bit more in prizes.
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Hark! A new challenge for March!
Introducing Jet, an Australian rock band formed in 2001. Clearly some heavy Beatles influence, some Pink Floyd, maybe even a little of the Stones. Most of their songs are high energy and very electric guitar forward, but they also have some slower ones.
You might have heard their song "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" on the radio before.
But you probably haven't heard this one on the radio.
"Radio Song" by Jet
Lyrics: ▼
Take a look
At what I took,
The leaf out of everybody's book.
We see
What you
Can't see.
I'm caught in a trap of my own
Like everybody I know
This won't be played on your radio
Tonight
This won't be played on your radio
Tonight
Do you all know
Of the Emperor's clothes
Walking down an empty road.
We see
What you
Can see
That's not how I want to be
Anyhow
Every time
The same dream
This won't be played on your radio
Tonight
This won't be played on your radio
Tonight
Prompt: "The same dream"
Challenge Prompt: "The Emperor's clothes"
Note that there are TWO prompts now to choose from.
The challenge prompt is meant to be a bit harder, so if you pick the challenge prompt you'll get 10k GPs instead of 5k for the standard prompt (plus a merit badge).
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February 4, 2024 at 2:46pm
February 4, 2024 at 2:46pm
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In honor of Valentine's day, a sickly-sweet love song.
This is another one by Sammy Rae. I try not to repeat artists too much, but I guess she's an exception.
This goes out to all those out there who've been hurt by love.
Feel free to get romantic with the prompt, or not. Happy writing!
"The Feeling" by Sammy Rae
Lyrics: ▼
There ain't nothing to write home about
There's no one in particular who's makin' you move
On a Monday get together, and by Friday
you've already fallen out of the groove
You wanna get lost in the night,
gotta give into the feeling
You wanna get lost in the feeling,
gotta give into the night
When somebody turned around
and gave you something to believe in
You get something to prove
You gotta lay it on the line
and hope it don't get too heavy
He said, "Mama, you're the ground I'm walkin',
I don't get a straight line if we aren't going steady"
I gotta get lost in the night,
gotta give into the feeling
I wanna get lost in the feeling,
wanna give into the night
And I stole an Ibuprofen
from the bathroom 'cause I need it
I felt it already
Oh, it ain't worth it
Being hurt by loving
Isn't worth it
Honey being hurt by love
Isn't worth it
Being hurt, 'til you're
la-la-la-lost in the Feeling now
Listen: I don't wanna argue
'Cause I know that when we get there
we get out of control
When I wanna say my part
and then you take it all to heart
And then we get on a roll...
I wanna get lost in the night,
gotta give in to the feeling
I wanna get lost in the feeling,
gotta give in to the night
We keep working up to nothing
I can feel the closure coming up
from deep in my soul!
Oh! It ain't worth it
Being hurt by loving
Isn't worth it,
Honey being hurt by love
Isn't worth it
Being hurt, 'til you're
la-la-la-lost in the Feeling now
(La-la-la)
Here we go:
So you think you finally found what you
believe in, believe in, believe in,
but you're leaving...
And there ain't no way around it when you're
feelin', you're feelin', you're feelin'
what you're feelin'
Is it worth it, being hurt by loving?
Isn't worth it, honey, being hurt by love
If I can't get with the two of us,
what about the three of us?
When it's me, myself, and I!
Cause it just isn't worth it
Being hurt by loving
Isn't worth it, honey being hurt
Woah, it ain't worth it!
Being hurt, 'til you're
la-la-la-lost in the Feeling now
(La-la-la)
Prompt: "Lost in the night"
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January 14, 2024 at 11:58am
January 14, 2024 at 11:58am
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For January, we have one of my favorite songs in existence. A musical journey.
Dedicated to my late Grampa D.
Just a coincidence that this comes at the last week of my bootcamp classes. Really.
Don't skip over the 3 and a half minute instrumental. It's the best part of the song, by far.
"Be Free" by Loggins & Messina
Lyrics: ▼
I can see the world's changing
I can see it re-arranging
Happening before my very eyes
Everywhere the cement's growing
In the street the traffic's flowing
Ruining the air up in the skies
It's no surprise
I want to get away and live my life
In the rivers and trees
I want to spend the days making wine and be free
Be free
I can hear the cities calling
Come on down, I can feel you falling
Happening for all of us to see
See the deepening cement hollow
Reaching out for those who follow
Hunkering on far too many lies
It's no surprise
I want to get away and live my life
In the rivers and trees
I want to spend my days making wine
And be free, and be free
From the winds so far away
I've had an inner vision
I've seen the universe unfold
[instrumental]
I can hear the school bell ringing
From the yard the children singing
Merrily life is but a dream
In the street there go the brothers
Selling slow and ship to others
Aiding those whos songs have turned to cries
It's no surprise
I want to get away and live my life
In the rivers and trees
I want to spend my days making wine
And be free, and be free, and be free...
Prompt: "Be free" |
December 17, 2023 at 11:01pm
December 17, 2023 at 11:01pm
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December is a time for introspection and reflection, for beginnings and endings. Sometimes, you have to stop and take a look around. Mostly, at yourself. You have much more control over your own life than you're led to believe.
I think I might have picked the only Blues Traveler song out there that doesn't feature the harmonica. But trust me, no one can harmonica like John Popper can harmonica. His voice even sounds like a harmonica.
Enjoy and happy writing!
"Look Around" by Blues Traveler
Lyrics: ▼
You'll get no answer from me
About what I want or what I get
Brave enough to speak, afraid to see
Confuse the issue till you forget
And I've tried
To finally decide
Why
I'm in your face
And if you can't already tell
I am unable to let things go
I'm told I do it very well
But more important you should know
That all the same
You've got no one to blame
But yourself
If you call that a waste
Cause it ain't me
That's been hurting you inside
And if you've learned
You'll know much more than I
That you're gonna have to go and find it
You'll have to dig beneath the ground
You'll have to unearth every ugly stone
That kept you on your own
And simply put them down
You're gonna have to look around
You'll get no answer from me
About what I get or what I want
That was enough to make her leave
She's not the first one come and gone
And I don't care
Buyer beware
Of me
Cause it might get rough
If you want peace then live alone
If you wanna hide then find a stage
Each a brief but perfect home
To accommodate your rage
And sometimes
In the midst of all my crimes
I feel lost
Or have I lost enough
Remaining friends
Remind me as they say
It's up to you
The things you throw away
And still you're gonna have to go and find it
You'll have to dig beneath the ground
You'll have to unearth every ugly stone
That kept you on your own
And simply put them down
You're gonna have to look around
Prompt: "The things you throw away" |
November 18, 2023 at 4:58pm
November 18, 2023 at 4:58pm
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No, I haven't forgotten about this challenge!
This month, we have the smooth, upbeat and slightly jazzy sounds of Sammy Rae and her friends. If you've never heard her before, you're in for a sonic treat. This month's prompt may be a bit more of a challenge than usual. If it's too difficult or you see another line that inspires you, you can use any lyric line from the song and still get the GPs and a review.
Enjoy a taste of the "good life".
"The Good Life" by Sammy Rae
Lyrics: ▼
The moon has never been so close before
I could just reach out, I could take it
Take a bite of it and save it
And he's talking ’bout some stupid sneakers he wore
He said, "I get 'em where they make it
Ain't no middle man to fake it"
For a couple weeks I could feel it comin’
Couple days I could hear the drummin'
A tin of mints, and a pack of gum and
We're freshenin' up cause the morning's comin'
Bittersweet, for the most part bitter
It's one part sweet and it's two parts bitter
It’s one part sweet, I think
It’s one part sweet and it's two parts bitter
I got a taste of the good life in the middle of the night
It was about 4 o’clock on a Friday
As in 4 am on Saturday
And I got a taste of the good life, I was feelin' alright
And I was in the backseat, it was a long day
I was in a taxi on the Cross Island Parkway
It's the kind of the thing where you can never be sure
If it's for worse or it’s for better
And it ain't no laughin' matter
He's been keepin' calm, collected, I'm insecure
And it doesn't matter where he bought it
All that matters is he got it
'Cause a couple weeks I could feel it comin'
Couple days I could hear the drummin'
A tin of mints, and a pack of gum and
We're freshenin' up as the morning's comin', ahh
Bittersweet, for the most part bitter
It's one part sweet and it's two parts bitter
It's one part sweet, I think
It's one part sweet and it's two parts bitter
I got a taste of the good life in the middle of the night
It was about 4 o'clock on a Friday
As in 4 am on a Saturday
And I got a taste of the good life, I was feelin' alright
And I was in the backseat, it was a long day
I was in a taxi on the Cross Island Parkway
Couple weeks I could feel it comin'
Couple days I could hear the drummin'
Tin of mints, and a pack of gum and
We're freshenin' up, the morning's comin'
Bittersweet, for the most part bitter
It's one part sweet and it's two parts bitter
It's one part sweet, and I think
It's one part sweet a little too bitter
I got a taste of the good life in the middle of the night
It was about 4 o'clock on a Friday
And it was too early 'cause it was Saturday
I got a taste of the good life, I was feelin' alright
I was in the backseat, it was a long day
I was in a taxi on the Cross Island Parkway
Prompt: "Bittersweet, for the most part bitter" |
October 14, 2023 at 7:47pm
October 14, 2023 at 7:47pm
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October has been a rough month. For the world, really. The news is just horrific, and everyone seems to be taking sides. Just remember, when it comes to human suffering and loss, we're all on the same side. And people are NOT their government. Thankfully.
I'm not going to get political on here, but I think we can all agree that we've gotta find another way to make the world go 'round.
This one isn't working.
"World Go 'Round" by No Doubt
Lyrics: ▼
In the quickness of our haste
It seems we forget how to live
The old blueprint no longer manifests itself
As the correct way to exist
So wipe the grime off the view hole
And please take a closer look
Environmental bandits up to their shenanigans
Crooks disguised as crooks disguised as...
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
(The world go 'round, world go 'round)
Individual roles, we think
Not so important to the plot
The big picture unseen, leaving life in between
Destroyed and overwrought
There's no need to point the finger
We understand who takes the blame
Delinquents caught red-handed in the act
Crooks disguised as you and I...
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
(World go 'round, world go 'round)
You see, there's many, many, many, many people in the world
(From end to end, from pole to pole)
And I'm not sure if I like what I've heard
(Far and near, far and wide)
I'm not sure if I like what I'm doing myself
I'm not sure if I like how the world turns, how the world turns
Degradation, great big word
I'm in violation
Unexcusable exploitation
It's the dawning of a new era
People consciously don't care
How unfair
We gotta find another way to make the world go 'round
Yeah, I'll find another way
Send me another way, hey
Find another way to make the world go 'round
World go 'round, world go 'round
You got to send me another way
In the quickness of our haste, we forget how to live
So find another way to make the world go 'round
Prompt: "Crooks disguised as..." |
September 15, 2023 at 4:22pm
September 15, 2023 at 4:22pm
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Just drifting through September.
Prepare for beautiful chord progressions and unusual time signatures.
I'm interested to see where people take this one...
"Silent Sea" by KT Tunstall
Lyrics: ▼
I was happy in my harbour when you cut me loose
Floating on an ocean and confused
Winds are whipping waves up like skyscrapers
And the harder they hit me, the less I seem to bruise
And when I find the controls
I'll go where I like
I'll know where I want to be
But maybe for now
I'll stay right here
On a silent sea
I was happy in my harbour when you cut me loose
Floating on an ocean and confused
And when I find the controls
I'll go where I like
I'll know where I want to be
But maybe for now
I'll stay right here
On a silent sea
Prompt: "On a silent sea" |
August 22, 2023 at 10:57pm
August 22, 2023 at 10:57pm
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I think we need something a bit more mellow for August.
I wonder how many out there have heard of Morcheeba?
Well, you have now. They're an electronic band from the UK that combine a bunch of different influences into a pretty unique style. They split up a while ago, but I think they're back together now and still making music.
I just love Skye's melodic voice and insightful lyrics.
And the message couldn't be more timely.
"Enjoy the Ride" by Morcheeba
Lyrics: ▼
They shut the gates at sunset
After that you can't get out
You can see the bigger picture
Find out what it's all about
You're open to the skyline
You won't wanna go back home
In a garden full of angels
You will never be alone
But oh, the road is long
The stones that you are walking on
Have gone
With the moonlight to guide you
Feel the joy of being alive
The day that you stop running
Is the day that you arrive
And the night that you got locked in
Was the time to decide
Stop chasing shadows
Just enjoy the ride
If you close the door to your house
Don't let anybody in
It's a room that's full of nothing
All that underneath your skin
Face against the window
You can watch it fade to grey
But you'll never catch the fickle wind
If you choose to stay
But oh, the road is long
The stones that you are walking on
Have gone
With the moonlight to guide you
Feel the joy of being alive
The day that you stop running
Is the day that you arrive
And the night that you got locked in
Was the time to decide
Stop chasing shadows
Just enjoy the ride
Stop chasing shadows
Just enjoy the ride
With the moonlight to guide you
Feel the joy of being alive
The day that you stop running
Is the day that you arrive
And the night that you got locked in
Was the time to decide
Stop chasing shadows
Just enjoy the ride (x5)
Prompt: "(It's) a room that's full of nothing"
The word "it's" is optional, feel free to leave it out if that's easier to work with. |
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I know, I know. You've been waiting such a long time.
Well, finally, the writing prompt for July is here!
We're spending this Saturday in the park with Chicago.
Can you dig it?
"Saturday in the Park" by Chicago
Lyrics: ▼
Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July (x2)
People dancing, people laughing
A man selling ice cream
Singing Italian songs
Eh Cumpari, ci vo sunari
Can you dig it? (Yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Saturday
Another day in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July (x2)
People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
And singing for us all
Will you help him change the world?
Can you dig it? (Yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today
Slow motion riders fly the colours of the day
A bronze man still can tell stories his own way
Listen children, all is not lost
All is not lost, oh no, no
Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July (x2)
People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If you want it, really want it
Can you dig it? (Yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today
Prompt: "All is not lost" |
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