If heartaches was commercials, we'd all be on TV.
John PrineRead
I just tried to come up with some honest songs. What I was writing about was real plain stuff that I wasn't sure was going to be interesting to other people. But I guess it was...I've never had any discipline whatsoever. I just wait on a song like I was waiting for lightning to strike. And eventually-usually sometime around 3 in the morning-I'll have a good idea. By the time the sun comes up, hopefully, I'll have a decent song.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the authenticity and spontaneity in the creative process of songwriting.
John Prine's quote emphasizes the idea that art often stems from personal experiences and honesty. He expresses how he initially doubted the appeal of his simple, genuine songs, but ultimately found that they resonated with others. His process is described as unstructured and reliant on inspiration, suggesting that creativity can be unpredictable yet rewarding.
Themes
SongwritingCreativityAuthenticityInspirationArt
In practice
Example use cases
During a songwriting workshop, I shared John Prine's perspective on creativity to inspire fellow musicians.
More from John Prine
All quotes →One time, I went to school, and they asked us all to find out where our roots were. It's goin' around the class, and the kids were going, 'I'm Swedish-German' or 'I'm English-Irish.' They got to me and I said, 'Pure Kentuckian.'
John PrineRead
I feel basically good about my career because it's remained constant. What I do has never been especially in vogue or gotten high on the charts. At the same time, I haven't had to stop performing any of my music because it aged in style.
John PrineRead
You know that first love that leaves you? You never forget that, especially if you're a songwriter. I must have gotten nine songs out of that girl.
John PrineRead
You get to thinking that because you've written 50 or 100 songs, you think maybe you know how to do it. But when they're not coming along, you're just as in the dark as you ever were. When they're coming along, there's nothing to it. Sometimes it's so easy, it's like you're a court stenographer.
John PrineRead
The only reason I figured out I didn't like my old records to listen was I could hear how nervous I was and how uncomfortable I was. And who would want to sit around and listen to yourself being uncomfortable?
John PrineRead
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