The only music I don't like is bad music.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the subjective nature of music appreciation, suggesting that the only universal dislike is for poor quality music.
Quincy Jones emphasizes that music is a deeply personal experience, and while individuals may have different tastes and preferences, the common ground they can share is the rejection of music that is poorly made or insincerely crafted. This perspective invites listeners to appreciate the artistry in all forms of music while acknowledging that not all music will resonate with everyone.
In practice
In a discussion about musical preferences, one might say, 'The only music I don't like is bad music.'
Just blow in it and sound bad for about a year and then make it sound a little bit better, and you get a little band together, and then you get a few jobs. You take four guys that sound half bad, but if they're 25 percent each, they can give 100 percent, you know?
Music in movies is all about dissonance and consonance, tension and release.
When you produce an album, you're dealing with it theatrically. It has to have a structure, and the inner response to that is that the ear loves it.
You can study orchestration, you can study harmony and theory and everything else, but melodies come straight from God.
I got a scholarship to Seattle University and I was writing arrangements for singers and everybody. But the music course was too dry and I really wanted to get away from home.
I tell my kids and I tell proteges, always have humility when you create and grace when you succeed, because it's not about you. You are a terminal for a higher power. As soon as you accept that, you can do it forever.
If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it
It doesn't bother me when people try to deconstruct my songs - because at least they're looking at the lyrics, and paying attention to the way the story is told.
Sometimes, when the material is really good, you put expectations on yourself to make it the best possible show. You're not just serving up the regular hash and doing your job and going home.
I offer my performance as prayer for someone I've worked with as an actor or someone who has died. The image that comes into my head as I walk to the stage, I offer that performance up for that person.
A writer lives in awe of words, for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you. They pick up flavors and odors like butter in a refrigerator.
You can write any time people will leave you alone and not interrupt you. Or rather you can if you will be ruthless enough about it. But the best writing is certainly when you are in love.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.