Ben Gibbard Quotes
I decided a handful of years ago that I just want to write songs that you can understand as soon as you put the record on. There’s no need to veil what’s happening in the song the way I used to. My goal as a songwriter now is to simply write some memorable turns of phrase.
Ben Gibbard
Death Cab for Cutie
Quotes to Explore
You're only as good as your last song. That's something somebody told me, and it's so true. You've just gotta keep putting yourself out there, even promoting 'God Made Girls.'
RaeLynn
Tori Amos had a major influence on how I craft words in a song.
Hal Sparks
I close my eyes when I sing so I can feel the song better.
Mahalia Jackson
I think the line is where you're in the studio, you're creating. That belongs to you as an artist. Nothing should taint that. I shouldn't be thinking about what the fans want, I shouldn't be thinking about what the radio wants, what the label wants, what your manager wants, a song for the chicks, a song for the street.
Talib Kweli
Black Star
When you're collaborating with somebody, there has to be a spirit of cooperation. There are a lot of times when you just can't persuade someone to write a certain type of song, either musically or lyrically.
Walter Becker
China Crisis
I get so excited when a song I wrote that's very personal to me goes No. 1 and I look down and see people singing the words back to me.
Taylor Swift
I have breakups that I can credit to every song. In my twenties, I picked people who would create that dysfunction and drama, so I could draw upon it.
Kara DioGuardi
I'm a professional songwriter - personal attitudes have nothing to do with writing a song.
Sammy Cahn
For a movie, you have to make sure the lyrics are consistent with the rhythm that is given to you. But, at times, during the song's recording, you find out that your words are not appropriate for the track, and so you have to change them.
Kapil Sibal
It is such a gift to be able to write songs in general, but when you can share it with somebody, it is just such a pleasure. It is such a happy moment when you finish a song, and you are just like, 'Wow - that was great.'
Valerie June
When I first start writing a song, I usually write the title first, then the song, and I'll sing the song in my head and think of a visual of the song. If I can't think of a visual behind the song, I'll throw the song away.
La'Porsha Renae
Sometimes videos make a bad song very tight.
Thebe Neruda Kgositsile
I'm a pretty easygoing person, and it bleeds into the music. Even if I'm writing the most personal song, it's not going to come out totally serious; there's always a little tongue in the cheek.
Mac DeMarco
When I went to do "Carson" that night, they wanted us to do two songs, but we were a brand new band. "Conga" hadn't even hit the top 10 yet. They go, "Do you think you could do something that people know, because we want you to do a second song, but not two originals, because we don't want to lose the audience, just in case."
Gloria Estefan
Miami Sound Machine
It's the way you play that makes it. What I say is, for Christ's sake, you don't have to kill yourself to sing. Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story.
Count Basie
Going home and spending time with your family and your real friends keeps you grounded.
Jennifer Ellison
Emotion is created by motion. Whatever you're feeling right now is related to how you're using your body.
Anthony Robbins
I decided a handful of years ago that I just want to write songs that you can understand as soon as you put the record on. There’s no need to veil what’s happening in the song the way I used to. My goal as a songwriter now is to simply write some memorable turns of phrase.
Ben Gibbard
Death Cab for Cutie
