Tony Earley Quotes

I think it's easier to be cynical. I think the temptation, often, among writers is to write about anything other than real, true, deep feelings.

I had to try and find a way to express happiness without sounding corny.

I know I could probably fake love for a couple of days, but I couldn't fake it for more than three or four days, and neither could you. I don't think any of us can.

We wanted to make something that sounded perfect because of the quality of the emotion...the honesty.

I want feelings to be expressed, to be open, to be natural, not to be looked on as strange. It's not weird if you feel deeply.

Sorrow makes for sincerity, I think.

I would rather give full vent to all human loves and disappointments, and take a chance on being corny, than die a smartass.

Goddamn it, FEELING is what I like in art, not CRAFTINESS and the hiding of feelings.

I really try, at least consciously, not to be cynical or ironic.

I use myself for each part. Naturally, it's my body, it's my soul, it's my feelings. That's the only way I know how to work. I couldn't pretend.

I love hard; I love who I love, and I don't make any qualms about it.

I think people always respond to real moments.

I decided at 15 that I didn't want to be one of those artists that gets up and sings love songs they don't mean. I decided that I was going to be me to the fullest extent, that my songs were going to reflect relationships I've had, things I've been through, and even the stuff I'm embarrassed about.

True feeling justifies whatever it may cost.

As far as the creative process goes, I always make sure that anything that gets discussed or talked about in the record is true to form. I make it a point not to sing anything that I haven't felt or gone through.

I feel what I sing, and I sing what I feel. Really, that's all I can do.

It's no accident many accuse me of conducting public affairs with my heart instead of my head. Well, what if I do? Those who don't know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either.

I never smile unless I mean it.

I don't like acting things; I like feeling things.

And if I have a strong point, it's that I like to believe it's not cheap or schmaltzy sentimentality.

I live my life pretty emotionally, for better and for worse. I'm pretty thin-skinned and transparent. I lead with my heart, and I wanted to make a movie that did the same.

I only do what comes from the heart.

When you cry, you don't look very attractive; you look snotty and blotchy. People seem to manage to cry quite prettily these days, and to me, that smacks of not being very genuine.

It's more difficult to write a song about having your heart ripped out of your chest while you're in love. Because it lacks honesty. And the honesty comes through in the music, it really does.

It's so easy for me to do a boy-bashing pop song, but to sit down and write honestly about something that's really close to me, something I've been through, it's a totally different thing.