Tendency to compose simple song (8)
I believe the answer is:
penchant
'tendency' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'compose simple song' is the wordplay.
'compose' becomes 'pen' (synonyms).
'simple song' becomes 'chant' (song sung by a crowd. I am not sure about the 'simple' bit.).
'pen'+'chant'='PENCHANT'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for penchant that I've seen before include "Inclination; taste" , "Predilection, preference" , "Leaning towards or liking for" , "Inclination, bent" , "Disposition" .)