Prompts

1. The Trip That Never Happened

Prompt: Write a song that takes place entirely the night before a road trip that never happens.

Based on a breakup where the night before a cross-country road trip, the relationship ended because one person realized they didn’t want the future they agreed to.

2. Dating a ghost

Prompt: Write a song about dating someone who feels like a version of someone else you loved.

Based on a breakup where their ex dated someone just like them, cheated on them with their now wife.

3. The List

Prompt: Write a song built around discovering something you were never meant to see.

Based on a breakup where you found a list of women’s names marked with hearts and stars—except yours.

4. The Long Drive to End It

Prompt: Write a song about going to extreme lengths to do the “right thing,” even when it goes terribly.

Based on a breakup where you rented a car and drove to Canada just to break up face to face.

5. Sandwiches

Prompt: Write a breakup song that happens during a completely unromantic meal.

Based on a breakup where you were so done that you blurted it out while eating sandwiches.

6. God Told Him to Leave

Prompt: Write a song about being broken up with for a spiritual reason that later turns out to be a lie.

Based on a breakup where he claimed God told him to dump you in a dream, while he was cheating—and later married her.

7. The Dog

Prompt: Write a song about staying too long for the wrong kind of love.

Based on a breakup where you realized after leaving that you didn’t miss her—just her dog.

8. Long Distance Call

Prompt: Write a song about learning a relationship ended long before you were told.

Based on a breakup where a long-distance call revealed your girlfriend had gotten married the day before.

9. The Letter

Prompt: Write a song about having your vulnerability reused without your permission.

Based on a breakup where a musician turned your private letter into a song and called you “a friend” onstage.

10. Next Door After Everything

Prompt: Write a song about a breakup with no physical escape.

Based on a breakup where you fell in love with your next-door neighbor and still had to live beside him after it ended.