In an interview in this month's Mojo Noel Gallagher claims to write about 60 songs a year. This set me off thinking on the whole line of, is it better to try and write five imperfect songs or one perfect one? I've heard too of people writing a song every day, which while very admirable does seem to me like it might be a bit counterproductive.
How often/many songs do you guys write? Has anyone heard of how many songs other great songwriters write?

I think everyone has their own rhythm when it comes to writing. Personally, I can't sustain daily writing unless it's for a short stint working on a single song. As a rule, I only write when the mood takes me - although I do sit down at the piano or with the guitar on a daily basis.

The last 12 months have been the most productive for me, and I've written about 7 songs, 4 of which I'm really pleased with. I've also finished/ rewritten 2 old songs, both of which have made it into my set.

I've no idea how often the greats write - would be interesting to find out though.

I would write about a song a month, if it's something challenging, and most of the time is used to orient myself, get better ideas. I need to know what I should be saying before finding a way to properly express it. We need alot of original ideas to write a good song, to me it doesn't happen in a day. I would prefer to spend 30 hours on a song over a month than a week.

Interesting that Noel Gallagher writes 60 a year.

I read in a magazine article a few years ago that while he was still "learning" song-writing that David Bowie used to go into a shed inthe garden where he would stay all day and write loads of songs - sometimes 10 in a day! He didn't care if they were any good or not, just that he was writing.

I think I agree that you go at your own pace - it doesn't matter so long as you're writing.

I aim to do 2 a month, but life gets in the way

I think like most vocations practice is essential. When you're starting out writing, you're really learning the craft so writing a lot of "songs" is essential. You learn what you like, what you don't, you learn what works for you and what doesn't. Maybe you end up with half songs, or full songs without lyrics or, just melodies or a great duet. If you're not just sticking to melody and lyrics there is a LOT to learn about harmonies, bass lines, rhythm, filler instruments, chord harmonies, etc. etc. etc.... So writing a lot is good to learn how everything works together and which sounds you prefer. Playing around with all that stuff for me is essential do developing as a better writer and if I come out with a song I actually like then that's great.

I go through phases.   Following the break up of a relationship three years or so ago, I wrote as many as 2 songs a week.  Just to give you some idea of the interval variance, I haven't actually finished a song (and I don't mean completed and recorded, I mean finished writing all the parts) for getting on for two years.  It's actually starting to worry me that it's been so long but I'm sure will come back.  It's weird because during that time my focus has shifted from focusing on and starting with lyrics to more musical ideas.  Maybe that's something to do with it.  Any advice on kickstarting my songwriting much appreciated!

I can never seem to stick to a "schedule". I've had many times when I say to myself, "time to do some writing" and then practically no inspiration spawns in my head. I tend to just come up with song ideas spontaniously at the most random moments, or when for example I looking at pictures (which I try to do to get some inspiration). It's most annoying when you think up a great melody or something at 2am when you're in bed, or when you're in the shower, or just generally when you're away from an instrument or a computer. I picked up a great piece of equiptment at my local music store with a deal that was on Groupon. It's just a Tascam digital four track recorder, but I can carry it around with me and actually hum if a tune get's into my head 

I work on my songs every day, or night when it's quiet I should say

That's not to say I write a song a day. That varies from three new idea's, or one that splits into three

all in one go - to writing one a week, or couple of weeks.

i usually write when i get the urge. its not often enough, i should do more but i have a little attention span at times.
i think everybody is different but to be honest i think a good rule of thumb would be to write atleast 3 times a week for a couple of hours or so or when you get extra chance. im going to make a better effort with my lazy ways!!

I've heard of the writing one song a day idea. The idea isn't to write an awesome song every day, just to write something to keep yourself in practice.

The idea of trying to write the perfect song is off putting, just write and see what comes out.

Personally, I try to write a song a week, but I've had songs come together in a few hours, and some take a few weeks.

I write up to 25 a day, infact between july and now I've written 750 songs.
i dont understand why people find it hard to write, i find it so easy, I can write an ''amazing'' song in less than 5 mins (well what everyone says is amazing)
so when i see 7 songs in a year i'm klike what the hell?

25 lyrics you mean? There's a LOT more to a song than just lyrics. Anyone can write 25 song lyrics a day although
I doubt if they will be "Amazing". Getting the music to a song write can often take much longer than lyrics.
25 songs a day is just silly, if you think that they will all be amazing. Lyrics and music take time to develop. 25 idea's
a day wuld be achievable but writing 25 amazing lyrics every day is just nonsense.
Those 7 songs a year probably have a lot more depth and inginuity.
It is possible to write a song really quickly. Many do so, but that doesn't happen all the time.
Songs need nurturing and tweaking. Lyrics need to looked back at to make sure the best words are being used in the right places.
I think you need a lot more experiance in music ( and probably be able to actually write some) before you say you can
write 25 amazing songs a day.

no i mean guitar aswell.

ALSO. I said what OTHER people find amazing,  i didn't say they WERE amazing.

I guess some people really are very prolific. I heard recently that Prince writes and records one song PER DAY in his studio. But I also find with the most prolific writers is that they don't have a quality control filter. Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of Prince, but some of his work is just awful (in my opinion). The same goes for Neil Young.

For most of us, writing a song takes many hours spread over many days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months. I recently rewrote a song that I first wrote over a decade ago. Although it was 'finished' when first written, there was always a sense of something incomplete about it. Now, it's one of my best songs.

If I even tried to write 25 songs in a day I would never eat, sleep, wash or talk to a living soul (including this forum).