I don't believe that songwriting has to be profound, but I truly believe that it's a crime for you to go outta your way for it not to be.
Interpretation
Songwriting should be genuine and accessible, and not overly complicated.
In this quote, Steve Earle emphasizes the importance of authenticity in songwriting. He suggests that while lyrics don't need to be overly deep or significant, it is essential for songwriters to put in the effort to create meaningful connections with their audience, implying that neglecting this effort would be a disservice to the art form.
In practice
This quote can be used during a songwriting workshop to inspire participants to embrace genuine expression.
You can go out and find ways to make your own record and get it out there now. If you really want to, you can be heard. Keep things simple. Learn to go out and play solo. That's a really really good thing to learn, if you're a singer-songwriter. Don't be dependent on a band because you may not always be able to afford one.
All we do as songwriters is rewrite the songs that have impressed us till we find our own voice. It's part of learning the craft.
The idea that murder victims' families are best served by continuing the cycle of violence is something that I consider to be not only a lie, but criminally negligent. You lie to victims' families when you tell them they're going to receive closure if they participate in the process and witness the execution of a human being.
I promise you that I did not become an addict because of anything to do with the behavior of either of my parents. Everybody has to make their own choices.
My objection to the death penalty is based on the idea that this is a democracy, and in a democracy the government is me, and if the government kills somebody then I'm killing somebody.
An interior is the natural projection of the soul.
An artist observes, selects, guesses, and synthesizes.
When you are older, you realise that everything else is just nothing compared to painting and drawing.
Well, you know, with every character, if you're going to expose yourself, you've got to figure out every detail that you're going to play. So there's no character that you can just go put on his shirt and be fully prepared.
Music is my way out. I keep things locked up and never say anything. I guess in order to say something to one person, I have to sing it to a couple of thousand. It doesn't make for healthy relationships.
Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
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