Where do songwriters get their song (lyric) ideas?

Some places to start:

Books

A good songwriter should read as much as possible. Literature is rich with ideas and language suitable for songs. Don't any book, including the bible. Bob Dylan's famous song "All Along The Watchtower" comes directly from the bible, as well as Pete Seeger's song "Turn, Turn, Turn".

Bruce Cockburn often lists book titles that inspired songs in his album liner notes. John Gorka notes Zora Neale Hurston ("Their Eyes Were Watching God") for providing the opening line of his song "Talk About Love". Some Songwriters find interesting song ideas from the daily newspaper. Others actually use atlases to find unusal names of places to include in songs.

Travels

A trip around the world or just around the block can yield multple song ideas. Getting out of the house can alllow you to recharge, rethink, get a different perspective. This can be useful during the writing of a song too-when you're facing writer's block. Be observant- "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, senses working overtime" (XTC). Keep your eyes open. Paul Simon got the title (and maybe song idea) for "Mother and Child Reunion" from a menu in a Chinese restaurant. Listen to conversations among people. Ride the bus and keep your ears open.

Life and Love

Certainly life has many experiences to offer us and these can be expressed in song. Write about what you have learned. Love is an eternal song subject. Love is something we all have experienced and long for it's return. And according to Paul McCartney the world hasn't yet had enough silly love songs.

Current Events

Woody Guthrie used to write a song a day based on what he read in the newspaper. Certainly current events are popular topics and can even spice up lyrics with universal references. Songs can also make powerful, moving statements about contemporary society: "Brother, brother, there's too many of you dying" Marvin Gaye "What's Goin' On"

Emotions

Express yourself! Anger! Love! Hate! Compassion! Fear! Anxiety! Hope! Longing! Faith! Let it out. Let your feelings be known. There is power there. And letting your more destructive emotions out in a song can be a safe and healthy way to vent.

Dreams

Make a dream journal. Replay your dreams, analyze them, use them as inspiration and exploration. "Our dreams tell us what we're really interested in. Dreams never lie. We all dream profusely every night, yet by morning we've forgotten ninety percent of what went on. That's why poets are such important members of society. Poets remember our dreams for us." Tom Robbins "Still Life With Woodpecker"

Play with Words

Take a common expression and turn it around. Take an old idea or cliche and say it in a new way. Check out some of John Prine's songs for examples.

Make a List

Someone in our group suggested making a list of the top ten things that were on your mind. Write a song about one of or all of them.

Myths, Legends, Stories, even Jokes

These are handed-down tales that can be retold in song. "Atlantis" by Donovan, "Isis" by Bob Dylan to name a few.