Home / Quotes / Quote by Townes Van Zandt

Quote by Townes Van Zandt

“All of a sudden there's a song - there in your hotel room playing your guitar - and you write it, and two or three years later it will come true. It keeps you on your toes.”

Quote by Townes Van Zandt

Author

Townes Van Zandt

Townes Van Zandt was an influential American country singer-songwriter known for his emotive voice and unique songwriting style. His music is characterized by its deep portrayal of life, love, and loneliness, influencing countless musicians that followed. more

You May Also Like

“There's two or three kids out there trying to make good music, and the rest of them sound like it's been strained through some kind of white toast or something. It all sounds just too neat and perfect, with no surprise to it at all. No story, no nothing. It's like building cars, like an assembly line. It doesn't sound like anything that came from a guitar.”

Trying Kind Two Stories Kids Three Sound Lines White Perfect Car Building Surprise Guitar Songwriting Assembly Neat Toasts Assembly Line

Author:Merle Haggard

“Sinclair Lewis was asked one time to give a talk to class of students about writing. When he got there he asked the class, Do you people want to be writers?and they all said yes. Then Lewis said, Why the hell aren't you at home writing?”

People Want Giving Writing Said Home Class Hell Students Songwriting One Time

Author:Tom T. Hall

“Just remember that William Blake wasn't even published in his lifetime. Ya gotta keep creating.”

Remember Creating Lifetime Songwriting Blake

Author:Kris Kristofferson

“When it's raining you can't find enough things to catch it in. When it's not you can stand out in the middle of the street in a dress and a funny hat and nothing's gonna make it rain. I go through periods - or spells - when I'm more receptive.”

Enough Streets Middle Periods Rain Dresses Hats Songwriting Spells Standing Out Receptive

Author:Tom Waits

“Unlike some of my peers, I haven't really hit a writer's block. When I hit a block I just paint, which is an old crop rotation trick.”

Havens Paint Tricks Block Songwriting Peers Crops Writer's Block Rotation

Author:Joni Mitchell

“We are really in a rut with the three-minute song. You know where it's going to go. If you're trying to get your message across sometimes it's wise to say, Why don't we stop here and have a moment of silence, then go in a completely different direction?”

Ifs Knows Trying Different Sometimes Moments Song Three Silence Wise Minutes Messages Songwriting Different Directions Ruts Moment Of Silence

Author:Jimmy Webb

“The words to country songs are very earthy like the blues. They're not as dressed up and the people are very honest and say, 'Look, I miss you darlin', so I went out and got drunk in this bar.' That's the way you say it. Where in Tin Pan Alley they would say, 'Oh I missed you darling, so I went to this restaurant and I sat down and had a dinner for one.' That's cleaned up now, you see? But country and blues tells it like it is.”

People Way Looks Country Song Honest Missing Down And Dinner Bars Drunk Sat Restaurants Songwriting Darling Alleys Dressed Up Tin Missed You I Missed You Tin Pan Alley

Author:Ray Charles

“I'd advise all you songwriters out there, if you're getting into it for the business, go home and get a job digging ditches or something. Get a life. You'll learn a lot more, and you won't write a lot of rotten poetry.”

Ifs Writing Home Jobs Songwriting Songwriters Advise Rotten Digging Digging Ditches

Author:Butch Hancock

“Songwriters might write cynical, world-wise lyrics and constantly talk about money, but most of us are downright naive when it comes to business.”

World Writing Might Wise Songwriting Cynical Songwriters Naive

Book:Willie: An Autobiography

Source: Willie: An Autobiography

“Dear Sir: I will wish to establish my name as the best Ethiopian songwriter. But I am not encouraged in undertaking this as long as 'The Old Folks At Home' stares me in the face with another's name on it.”

Long Home Faces Names Wish Dear Folks Staring Songwriting Songwriters Undertakings

Author:Stephen Foster