Christine McVie's 1977 track "Songbird" from Fleetwood Mac's landmark album Rumours stands out as a rare instance of near-instant songwriting, one she herself struggled to explain years later. McVie has said the song arrived fully formed in the middle of the night, chords, lyrics and melody together, and she wrote it in under half an hour, an experience she never managed to repeat despite wishing she could.

Speaking to People, McVie recalled having nothing to record the idea on, so she stayed awake all night to avoid forgetting it before bringing it into the studio the next morning for producer Ken Caillat to capture on tape. The song, written amid the breakdown of her marriage to bandmate John McVie, became one of Fleetwood Mac's most enduring and intimate hits; Mick Fleetwood has said its emotional depth made him want it played at his own funeral, and McVie herself credited it with helping hold the band together through a turbulent period.