Songwriting Challenge 2025: Odd Time Signatures

Our songwriting challenge for 2025 was to write a song in an odd time signature. The majority of popular songs are written in a 4/4 time signature, followed by 6/8, and then 3/4 (traditionally a waltz).

Songs that employ 5, 7, or 9 beats to the bar are far less common. But these songs can result in interesting tensions, inventive rhythms and an opportunity for unique melodies.

We’ve compiled a bunch of resources including new and old episodes of the podcast, and interesting videos.

Special thanks to our fantastic listeners who participated in the challenge by sending us their odd time signature songs to be featured on our listener’s answers episodes.

Featured Episodes

Songwriting Challenge 2025: Listener Songs Volume 2

Songwriting Challenge 2025: Listener Songs Volume 1

Phil experiments with 7/8 time for the first time

Our launch episode with Frank Horvat, featuring 8 songs with odd time signatures

Songs with odd time signatures (2023)

Archived Episodes

We’ve had many guests who have shared songs in odd time signatures. Check out the episodes.

In our episode about the post-chorus, Neel talked about how he used a polymeter (he mistakenly called it compound time) in his post-chorus (3/4 and 2/4 time signatures at the same time)

Other Resources

An entire playlist of David Bennett’s videos showcasing songs in odd time signatures.

A great video made for Studio One users, but the method he uses will apply in whatever DAW you’re using to record your odd-time signature song.

Yellowjackets Theme Song

The theme song for the TV show Yellowjackets is called No Return, and was written by 90s alternative stalwarts Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker (of bands Shudder to Think and that dog respectively). The shifting time signatures are something to behold in a song this infectiously catchy. Bonus points to any of our listeners who can map out the time signatures!

Odd Time Signature Songs

Check out our playlist of songs with odd time signature songs!