---
title: "The Perfect Song For … writing poetry (or anything else worthwhile)"
description: "What do you listen to if you are looking for inspiration to write a poem, or anything to do with literature?"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO"
author: "Tim Cohen and Fred de Vries"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/timcohenandfreddevries/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-28-perfect-song-for-writing-poetry/"
published: "2024-09-28T07:00:32"
updated: "2024-09-24T11:19:00"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 362
---

# The Perfect Song For … writing poetry (or anything else worthwhile)

> What do you listen to if you are looking for inspiration to write a poem, or anything to do with literature?

By Tim Cohen and Fred de Vries · Published 28 September 2024, 09:00 SAST · Updated 24 September 2024, 13:19 SAST

## Key points
- Embark on a poetic journey into the realm of creative inspiration with renowned Cape Town poet Finuala Dowling, as she shares her insights on the power of words and melody to transport us into the enchanting world of imagination, accompanied by a curated playlist of soul-stirring tunes from Nina Simone to Patti Smith.
- Find your writing inspiration through the power of music - let the melody and lyrics transport you to the world of imagination and creativity.
- Dive into the writing zone without the need for substances - succumb to the spell of Apollo and Dionysus with inhibitions cast aside.
- Join the podcast featuring renowned Cape Town poet Finuala Dowling, as she shares insights on poetry and divine inspiration.
- Explore the perfect songs for writing, including tracks by Nina Simone, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, and more - tune in to ThePerfectSongFor podcast on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

## Content

What song or what kind of song gets you into the mood or helps you appreciate the process of writing? What inspires? Is it the words? Is it the melody? Is it the longing for madness, the desire to lose yourself in the wonderful frightening world of imagination?

What gets you into that “zone” where you lose your inhibitions and willingly succumb to the scary yet invigorating spell of Apollo and Dionysus, without drugs or alcohol?

In this podcast we not only discuss and present some suggestions, but we also have the perfect guest to tell us more about the world of poetry and divine inspiration: renowned Cape Town poet and author [Finuala Dowling](https://finualadowling.com/).

[Spotify audio](https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3p7idsSkcAj6LMZ1bFxhBV?utm_source=generator)

Dowling has spent much of her life teaching language and words, first English at Unisa and UCT. These days she teaches creative writing from her Muizenberg home, as well as online.

She has six volumes of poetry to her name, including Pretend You Don’t Know Me*,*which came out in 2019 and brings together some of her most loved poems. She is also the author of six novels, including the “fees must fall”-inspired satire Okay, Okay, Okay.

The songs we chose are:

[My Father – Nina Simone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSwnyLxzyRY)

Frogs – Nick Cave

[Series of Dreams – Bob Dylan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iChaFA8UULg)

Search and Destroy – Iggy & The Stooges

Maybe Not – Cat Power

Come On Up to the House – Tom Waits

Beautiful in Beaufort Wes – Theuns Jordaan

[Ain’t It Strange – Patti Smith](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToRH5RGN2_I)

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gil Scott-Heron. **DM**

*You can listen and subscribe to*ThePerfectSongFor … podcast about the perfect song*on*[*Apple podcasts*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-perfect-song-for-a-podcast-about-the-perfect-song/id1736161552)*,*[*Spotify*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JOvSbqFFTK30yA1r6JXMj?si=6773ad8d65874d21&nd=1&dlsi=74721ec83c3c441e)*and*[*iono*](https://iono.fm/p/3666)*. Full versions of the songs are in Spotify and Apple playlists; perfectsongfor@gmail.com*

*Contact the hosts of the podcast or email us your suggestions and alternatives at*[*perfectsongfor@gmail.com*](mailto:perfectsongfor@gmail.com)

*You can also follow the hosts on X: @perfectsongfor Insta: #perfectsongfor*

*Tim Cohen is the business editor of Daily Maverick. Fred de Vries* *is an author, writer, journalist and South Africa correspondent for Elsevier Magazine and De Groene Amsterdammer. He writes regular music columns for Platenblad in the Netherlands and Vrye Weekblad in South Africa.*