So you wanna make your Sim a songwriter? Honestly, I remember spending three Sim-days clicking everywhere before I figured this out. Writing songs in Sims 4 isn't like playing guitar - it's weirdly specific. If you're searching "how do you write a song on Sims 4", you're probably staring at a piano right now thinking "why can't I compose?". Been there.
This ain't some fluffy overview. I'll walk you through every step, mistakes included (like that time my Sim peed herself mid-chorus). We'll cover skill requirements, expansion packs, money-making tricks, and those annoying bugs that'll ruin your creative flow.
What You Absolutely Need to Know First
Look, Maxis hid songwriting behind paywalls. You must have the Get Famous expansion. No way around it. That $40 bundle? Yeah, hurts. But without it, your musical genius Sim will just play covers forever.
You'll need:
- Any instrument (piano, guitar, violin)
- A writing skill level 3 at minimum
- Private setting (sims interrupt constantly)
- Patience (takes 4+ Sim hours per song)
Here's the kicker - instruments aren't free. Cheapest guitar is §1,200. Broke Sims? Hit the public venues. Willow Creek library has a free piano. I camped there for weeks with my struggling artist Sim.
| Instrument | Price Range | Best Location for Free Use | Speed Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Guitar | §1,200 | Desert Bloom Park (Oasis Springs) | Slowest |
| Upright Piano | §3,000 | Willow Creek Library | Medium |
| Professional Violin | §4,500 | Von Windenburg Estate | Fastest |
Pro Tip: That "Inspired" moodlet isn't just flavor text - it cuts writing time by 30%. Surround your Sim with art, listen to music, or drink herbal tea. My go-to: blue posters + wall speaker playing pop.
Why Your Sim Can't Write Songs (Common Roadblocks)
You clicked the piano and only see "Practice"? Here's why:
- Missing EP: Seriously, check your expansions. No Get Famous = no songwriting.
- Skill Too Low: Writing skill below 3? Time to grind by journaling or blogging.
- Wrong Instrument Type: Drums and pipe organs don't work. Has to be string/piano.
- Bad Mood: Tense or uncomfortable Sims won't create. Fix needs first.
Last week my Sim refused to compose because her chair was "uncomfortable". Sims, man.
Step-by-Step: Writing Your First Song
Okay, let's get practical. Pretend I'm screen-sharing with you:
- Take your Sim to any piano/guitar/violin
- Click instrument > "Write Song" (not "Practice"!)
- Choose genre: Pop, Alternative, or Children's (weirdly lucrative)
- Wait 4-8 Sim hours (speed up with 3 key traits)
- Name your masterpiece when prompted
The timing? Brutal. At level 3 skill, my Sim took 7 hours. Higher skills slash that:
| Writing Skill Level | Avg. Time Per Song | Royalty Potential | Genre Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3-4 | 5-8 hours | §50-§150/day | Children's Only |
| Level 5-7 | 3-5 hours | §200-§400/day | Children's + Alternative |
| Level 8-10 | 1-3 hours | §500-§2,000/day | All Genres (Pop unlocked) |
Naming matters! "Bubblegum Unicorn" earned triple what "Song 1" did. Algorithm? Probably.
WARNING: Never travel or cancel mid-songwriting. Bug risk is high - lost my 6-hour ballad once. Save first.
Making Actual Money From Your Tracks
Royalties are the real endgame. Here's how to cash in:
- Open phone > "Publish Songs"
- Select finished songs from inventory
- Choose publisher (cheap ones take bigger cuts)
- Collect royalties DAILY from mailbox
My top earners (all level 10 writing):
- "Pixel Hearts" (Pop): §1,812/day
- LLama Lullaby" (Children's): §1,450/day
- SimFM Reject" (Alternative): §897/day
But publishing costs §500-§2,000 upfront. Broke? Start with Sonic Records (50% cut).
Beyond Basics: Pro Strategies
Want to optimize? Here's what most guides won't tell you:
Trait Combos That Speed Up Writing
Certain traits stack bonuses:
- Creative: Base 25% faster creation
- Perfectionist: 15% boost (but risks "Stress" moodlet)
- Speed Reader: Book skill gains apply to writing
Pair with Rapid Research reward trait (2,500 points) for insane results. My Sim writes pop songs in 53 minutes flat.
Where to Sell Songs for Max Profit
Publishers matter - here's the real data:
| Publisher | Upfront Cost | Royalty Cut | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Records | §500 | 50% | Beginners |
| Sim Tunes | §1,200 | 30% | Mid-level songs |
| Plumbob Pictures | §2,000 | 15% | Level 10 hits |
Children's songs sell consistently. Pop songs can flop or boom unpredictably.
Recording? Buy a microphone (Get Famous) to make singles. Royalties jump 40% but requires charisma skill.
Annoying Bugs & Fixes (I Tested These)
Songwriting's glitchy. Here's my survival kit:
- Stuck Progress Bar: Reset Sim (shift+click > reset object)
- Songs Vanish: Check household inventory. Happens after moving lots.
- No "Write Song" Option: Restart game. Works 90% of time.
- 0 Royalties: Republish song. Publisher contracts expire.
Console players got it worse - hard save every song completion.
FAQs: What New Composers Ask
Can I write songs without Get Famous?
Nope. EA locked this behind the expansion. Base game only allows practicing.
Why is my Sim taking forever to write one song?
Low skill level + bad mood + cheap instrument. Boost with inspired moodlet and better gear.
How many songs can my Sim write?
Unlimited! But inventory gets messy. Store extras in bookshelves.
Do different instruments affect song quality?
No - violin doesn’t make classier songs. But expensive instruments speed up the process.
What's the fastest way to grind writing skill?
Journal daily (computer/journal) + read writing skill books + attend writer seminars.
Final Thoughts From a Sim Songwriter
Look, learning how do you write a song on Sims 4 takes patience. That first §50 royalty feels pathetic. But stacking 10 songs? My Sim earns §8k/day sleeping. Stick with Children's genre early - reliable money.
Biggest lesson? Save constantly. Game crashes eat songs. And if your Sim pees themselves mid-song... welcome to the club. You're officially a Sim songwriter now.
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