When you write a song, a song has longevity
Smokey RobinsonRead
Motown will always be a heavy-duty part of my life because those are my roots
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the deep connection and influence of Motown music on Smokey Robinson's life and identity.
Smokey Robinson expresses that Motown music is an integral part of his life, highlighting how it shapes his identity and serves as a foundation for his artistic journey. The phrase suggests a sense of pride in his origins and acknowledges the lasting impact of this music genre on his personal and professional development.
In practice
During a speech at a music festival.
When you write a song, a song has longevity
Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives it that potential.
When someone picks up one of my songs and records it, I'm a flattered man, it's a blessing to me
Songwriting is my gift from God
I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record.
As a kid, this is what I wanted my life to be. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever dare to dream that it would be this.
I think the idea is now for blacks to write about the history of our music. It's time for that, because whites have been doing it all the time. It's time for us to do it ourselves and tell it like it is.
We may be sure that a genius like Mozart, were he born today, would write concertos like Chopin and not like Mozart.
That's what my music does for me. It makes people happy. When I play, I thank the Lord I've never seen someone walk away from a Dick Dale dance not having a good time. That's what it's all about.
I call myself a blues singer, but you ain't never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.
When my time is up in hip-hop, it's going to remain what Afrika Bambaataa thought it was supposed to be. It's going to remain what Kool Herc thought it was supposed to be; what Wu-Tang Clan sees it as; what Outkast sees it as; what Snoop Dogg sees it as. People are trying to forget that brand of hip-hop.
I'm the keeper of the flame for Whitney Houston. She was the greatest... and I don't want the world to forget that.
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