How to Play This Icebreaker Game
- 1The facilitator offers 3-5 scenarios (e.g., 'Your Walk-on Song', 'Deep Focus Mode', 'Friday Victory Lap').
- 2Each person selects a song that fits the scenario for themselves.
- 3Go around the room: share the title/artist and give a one-sentence explanation.
- 4If possible, play a 10-15 second snippet of the track to get everyone energized.
Materials Needed
- Music playing device (Phone/Bluetooth Speaker)
- Shared doc or chat (to build a playlist)
- Voting tool (optional, for 'Best Song')
Variations
Guess the Owner: Submit songs anonymously for a scenario. Play them and have the team guess who picked what.
Lip Sync Battle: Instead of just playing it, perform 30 seconds of lip sync (for high-energy teams).
Decades: Limit choices to the 80s, 90s, or 00s for a nostalgia trip.
Facilitator Guide
Opening Script:
If your life were a movie, what would the soundtrack be right now? Welcome to 'Theme Music'. I'll give you a scenario, and you tell us what song is playing in the background. It's a great way to see a new side of each other!
Closing Script:
We just built an amazing team playlist! We'll save this and play it before our next big meeting to get the energy up. Thanks for sharing!
Why This Works
Why this icebreaker game works: Music communicates emotion and personality faster than words. Sharing taste is intrinsically vulnerable but low-stakes, creating instant connection and revealing team culture.
Best For
Ideal icebreaker situations for this game include:
- Morale boosters
- Creative teams
- Celebration moments
Important Notes
- Remind everyone to keep lyrics 'work-safe' (clean versions).
- Keep clips short (15s max) to maintain momentum.
- If streaming is laggy, just sharing the title/artist works fine.
Ideas & Prompts
Scenarios
What is your 'Walk-On Song' when you enter a room in slow motion?
What song plays when you finally fix that impossible bug/problem?
What is your go-to 'Deep Focus' track when you need to grind?
What song gets you out of bed on a rainy Monday?
If you were stranded on a desert island, what one album would you bring?
Style Picks
A song that best describes your working style.
A 'Guilty Pleasure' song you secretly love.
An underrated gem you think everyone should hear.
Game FAQ
What if I don't really listen to music?
No problem! Just pick a TV show theme, a commercial jingle, or a song you remember from childhood. It's about the connection, not music snobbery.
What if I don't really listen to music?
No problem! Just pick a TV show theme, a commercial jingle, or a song you remember from childhood. It's about the connection, not music snobbery.
What about explicit lyrics?
Context matters. For work settings, ask participants to choose the 'Radio Edit' or pick a different song if the lyrics are too intense.
What about explicit lyrics?
Context matters. For work settings, ask participants to choose the 'Radio Edit' or pick a different song if the lyrics are too intense.
