List Songs
A list songs is a song about a bunch of things that all go together. These kinds of songs are found across all genres and are a ton of fun to write.
Overview
Have you ever made a list of your favorite things, places you want to travel, or foods you love? In this lesson, you’ll learn how list songs take everyday ideas and turn them into creative, catchy, and often hilarious lyrics.
Examples of List Songs
- “We Didn’t Start the Fire” — Billy Joel
- “I’ve Been Everywhere” — Johnny Cash
- “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” — Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
- “12 Days of Christmas” — Traditional
- “The Nations of the World” — Animaniacs
- “What Kind of Cat Are You?” — Billy Jonas Band
- “My Favorite Things” — The Sound of Music
- “The Elements” — Tom Lehrer
- “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” — R.E.M.
- “One Week” — Barenaked Ladies
- “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” — Paul Simon
- “Rhode Island Is Famous for You” — Blossom Dearie
Lesson Plan: Writing List Songs
Grade level: 4th–12th
Subject: Music / Songwriting
Time: 1–2 class periods (45–60 minutes each)
Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze and discuss the structure and features of list songs.
- Generate a list of items related to a chosen theme.
- Compose original lyrics in the style of a list song.
- Perform or share their songs with peers (optional).
- Reflect on the creative process and the impact of using list structure in music.
Standards Alignment
Aligned with National Core Arts Standards (NCAS):
- MU:Cr1.1.4-12a: Generate musical ideas for various purposes and contexts.
- MU:Cr2.1.4-12a: Organize and develop musical ideas using given or chosen forms.
- MU:Cr3.1.4-12a: Evaluate and refine draft compositions.
- MU:Pr4.3.4-12a: Demonstrate understanding of expressive intent through interpretation.
- MU:Re7.2.4-12a: Describe and interpret musical works and respond to musical context.
- MU:Cn10.0.4-12a: Relate music to societal, cultural, and historical contexts.
Materials Needed
- Musical Wonders video on list songs or teacher-selected examples
- Audio playback device and speakers
- Printed List Song Planning Worksheet or a shared digital document
- Writing materials, such as a notebook or Chromebook
Warm-Up (10–15 Minutes)
Play excerpts from list songs and/or show the Musical Wonders introduction video.
Discussion questions:
- What do these songs have in common?
- Are the items in the list random or connected by a theme?
- How do these songs provide context for the list?
- What makes a list funny, emotional, or memorable?
Main Activity (25–30 Minutes)
Distribute the List Song Handout.
Optional ways to prompt the students as they write:
- What’s your list about?
- Brainstorm 10–15 items.
- What’s the tone? Funny, serious, or something else?
- What’s a verse that gives the listener context?
Student steps:
- Choose a topic, such as favorite foods, superhero powers, pets you’ve had, or places you want to go.
- List items related to that theme.
- Write a Chorus to explain the list to the listener.
- Bonus: Write an introduction verse if it makes sense for your song.
Share & Reflect (10–15 Minutes)
Students perform or read their songs aloud, solo or with a partner. Classmates can snap or clap along.
Optional reflection questions:
- What list was the most surprising or creative?
- How did the structure affect your writing process?
- Did adding a context verse change the meaning of the list?
Optional Extensions
- Musical performance: Have students set their lyrics to a backing beat or chord progression.
- Group collaboration: Each student contributes one line to a class-wide list song.
- Illustration project: Students illustrate each item on their list to make a lyric zine or flipbook.