Random Word Generator for Song Games

What it does

Each card shows a common word – the kind that turns up again and again in songs. Press Next for a new one. You don't need to know any special songs: any tune in any style counts, as long as the word is in it.

We wrote the word list ourselves and gave each word a difficulty and an age rating. Play mode adds a full-screen card, a timer and team scores for a proper party game.

How to use it

1. Pick categories with the chips, or leave them all on for a mix.
2. Choose a difficulty. Easy words are in countless songs. Hard words take more thought to place in a lyric.
3. Set the age rating. Words for kids and teens show by default; turn on adults for an older group.
4. Press Next for a new word, or switch to list view to see a batch.
5. Start play mode for a group game. You get a full-screen card, a timer of 30, 60 or 90 seconds, a Skip button and score counters for two teams. Turn on hide word when only one singer should see the word.

How to play the song word game

The basic game is simple and works with any number of players.

1. Show the word to everyone and start the timer.
2. Sing it. The first player or team to sing a few words of a real song that contains the word wins the point. Humming doesn't count – the word has to be sung.
3. Nobody got it? Press Skip when time runs out and try the next word.
4. First to an agreed score wins.

Missing word variation: turn on hide word. One singer taps to see the word in private, then sings a line that contains it – but hums or claps where the word should be. Their team has to name the missing word.

Circle variation: go around the room. Each player has until the timer ends to sing a line with the word. Anyone who can't is out for that word, and the last singer standing scores.

Ways to use it

Party warm-up

Everyone knows some songs, so it's an easy game to start a party. It's loud, silly and quick.

Road trips

A passenger reads a word aloud and the whole car sings. No screens needed for anyone else.

Music class

Students search their memory for songs with a given word. It's a fun way to talk about lyrics, rhyme and rhythm.

Family gatherings

Grandparents and kids often know very different songs, which makes for surprising answers from every generation.

Songwriting warm-up

Use a random word as the starting point for a new line or chorus. Pair it with the rhyme generator to finish the couplet.

Tips

• Agree on the rules first. Does the word count inside a longer word? Do made-up songs count? Decide before you start.
• Any language, any style. Unless your group decides otherwise, any real song is fair game.
• Use the timer to stop long silences. 30 seconds keeps the energy up.
• Skip freely when a word just won't come.
• Like word party games? Try the charades generator or tongue twisters.