Music to listen to while you write: 10 albums that inspire me to write better

Last Updated on March 21, 2020 by Nathaniel Tower

While some people prefer to write in complete silence, others depend on music or some other background noise to help motivate them and keep them focused. I’m in the latter camp. I love listening to music, but it has to be the right kind of music for my particular mood or writing task.

If you’re going to listen to music while you write, here are a few tips:

• Pick something you like but isn’t too distracting
• Keep the volume at a level that allows you to stay focused on your writing
• If you find yourself singing along and getting up to dance, then you might need to switch the song

Any time you try to do two things at once, you’re bound to suffer at one of them. If you are 100% all-in on paying attention to the intricacies of the music, then your writing is going to take a hit. On the other hand, if you use the music as background noise to help you stay focused, then you shouldn’t have any issues with your writing.

Here are 10 albums that inspire me to write better in specific situations. I’ll be the first to admit they might not be your cup of tea, but I encourage you to give them a try and see what happens to your writing. I’ve written some of my best work while listening to these albums.

1. Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV

This is an album I can put on pretty much any time I’m writing. If you’re vaguely familiar with Nine Inch Nails as a loud industrial rock band, you might think I’m crazy for listening to this during almost every writing session. But Ghosts is different. An all-instrumental album filled with creativity and unique sounds, this album will keep you calm and focused while providing enough energy to get you through any writing task.

2. Megadeth – Rust In Peace

This is not an everyday writing album. This is music for when you need to pound something out furiously without taking a break. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling tired or sluggish. From the opening guitar riff of “Holy Wars,” your fingers will be flying across the keyboard like never before. This certainly isn’t music for every writing situation, but it will definitely help you flex your writing muscles when you need it.

3. Christopher O’Riley – True Love Waits: Christopher O’Riley Plays Radiohead

Like many other writers, I’m a huge fan of Radiohead. However, Radiohead doesn’t always jive with my writing mood. But these stripped down classical piano interpretations help motivate me to turn any piece of writing into an instant classic.

4. Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

If you’re writing anything with emotion, then this is the album you must put on. Carrie & Lowell is an inspiring, heartbreaking roller coaster of an album that will help you get in touch with your deepest feelings and pour them out on paper.

5. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

Music with long instrumental parts almost always complements my writing sessions. This is especially true with songs like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” that feature passionate instrumental build-ups and searing guitar solos. I can write anything when I put this album on the turntable.

6. Iron & Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days

If you can’t write to the soft singing of Sam Beam, then you can’t write to any music. This music is so damn peaceful and lyrically profound. When I listen to this, it’s almost like Sam writes my stories for me.

7. Sigur Rós – (Untitled)

This is a rollercoaster of an album that starts off relaxing and ends with one of the most draining, intense climaxes in musical history. At almost 80 minutes in length, this album will motivate you throughout those long writing sessions where you want to start calm and end in a fury as you power through the greatest work of your life.

8. Portishead – Dummy

Looking for something a little trippy but not too crazy or distracting? Dummy is the perfect album to keep you writing in these situations. The haunting voice of Beth Gibbons might make you break down and cry more than once, but that should create some rather inspired words on your paper.

9. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Okay, two disclaimers: 1. I don’t really like Kanye West very much. 2. I don’t like to write to rap. Now that we’ve gotten those out of the way, this album makes me write furiously creative words. This is an undisputed work of genre-bending genius, and I’d like to think it makes me a little better at my craft.

10. Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York

What can I say about this album? You can feel the passion in every note, and that passion translates into every word I write. That’s all I’m going to say.

Those are my ten favorite writing albums, but there is a lot of other music I listen to when I write. It all depends on my mood, what I’m trying to write, where I am, and what my timeframe is.

What are your favorite albums to listen to while you write? Share yours in the comments and I will give them a try.

Listening to music while you write FAQ

Should you listen to music while you write?

Not everyone can listen to music and write at the same time. If you prefer to write in silence, it's best to turn the music off. If you like to have some background noise and you aren't easily distracted, then a good music selection can help motivate you to write better.

What music should you listen to while you write?

Choosing the right music to listen to while you write depends on your mood, your style, what you're writing, and a lot of other factors. It's best to choose something that isn't too distracting but also isn't too boring. Choose something you like, but don't select something that's going to make you sing along loudly and forget about the task of writing.

Will listening to music make my writing suffer?

Any time you try to do two things at once, one of them is bound to suffer a little. If you are completely focused on listening to every note and word of your music, then your writing isn't going to get your full attention. On the other hand, if you are completely focused on your writing, then the music will just be background noise that can help keep you on track.