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.
But it isn't easy,' said Pooh. 'Because Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is to go where they can find you.
The thing that most interests me about writing - there are lots of things, but the thing I can't do without - is the hit of happiness a lovely sentence delivers.
With electronic music, you are not confined to the acoustics of a concert-hall, and that inspired me to bring my performances outdoors.
In my case, the body of work stands for itself... I think my work has been representative of me as a man.
I make my films because I'm affected by a situation, by something that makes me want to reflect on it, that lends itself to an artistic reflection. I always aim to look directly at what I'm dealing with. I think it's a task of dramatic art to confront us with things that in the entertainment industry are usually swept under the rug.
I collect my tools: sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, intellect. Night has fallen.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.