Top Ten Best Instrumental Songs for a Writer’s Playlist

My Favorite Instrumental Songs

Music is always great to have playing in the background. When I am writing, however, lyrics can often be distracting. This is where I look up different instrumentals so I can remain motivated without shifting my focus to having a Taylor Swift concert in my room. Here are ten of my favorite instrumentals:

1. Hoppipolla

On its own this song by Sigur Rós is beautiful, but I prefer to listen to the slowed down version of YouTube. This song has been my go to since I was in middle school. There is something so peaceful about it that helps me stay focused. 

2. Heart of Courage

This is a more upbeat song by Two Steps from Hell. It is one of those songs that makes you feel like you are living in a movie. It is an incredibly motivating instrumental that is great to listen to when writing a book.

3. River Flows in You

This beautiful Yiruma piano piece has been on my playlist for years. I always put learning piano on the back burner, but this song always seems to motivate me to start learning again. It is so pretty and delicate. 

4. Bella’s Lullaby

This was the first song I started learning on my keyboard when I was a kid. I know a simple version of the right hand part. Twilight may be judged harshly, but the music in their movies is absolutely gorgeous. Carter Burwell composed the score and did a beautiful job. 

5. I Need You

This song is on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire official score composed by James Newton Howard. I love all of the songs on this soundtrack, but this one is by far my favorite. I Need You captures the feeling of hope and sensitivity elegantly.

6. Turning Page

Turning Page by Sleeping at Last was featured in the Twilight films as well. It is another song primarily featuring the piano that is simply beautiful. This is a song that perfectly embodies love as a whole. 

7. My Tears Are Becoming A Sea

This M83 song is a new addition to my writing playlist. I listen to the original with lyrics more often, but the instrumental holds the same level of emotion and power. 

8. Saturn

Saturn by Sleeping at Last is not a very distracting song on its own, but the instrumental version makes an already captivating song sound more vulnerable. Saturn is a song that sounds like walls being broken down and leaving your heart unguarded. 

9. To Build a Home

To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra starts off simple and gradually builds up in power. It feels like growing up in a song. What starts off so easy becoming increasingly complicated and seems to go by in the blink of an eye. 

10. Maroon

Maroon by Taylor Swift is a new song on her Midnights album. The original song is one of my favorites on the album. This instrumental has a completely different tone. It is eerie and will send chills down your spine.