Taboo Quotes

If you are any competent musician, if you have creative ideas, ideas of songs, of arrangements, in a band like the Stones, where these 2 people do all the things, there is no freedom.

If you just want ten songs to fit somebody else's script, then I'm not really the composer for that.

When we recorded 'Iowa,' we jammed, we went through the songs, we played as a band and we recorded as a band.

The synth helped us in that it meant you didn't have to be a traditional four-piece band and basically, you didn't have to work too hard.

I've been writing and composing songs since I was 5 years old.

When I sit down to write a song, it's a kind of improvisation, but I formalize it a bit to get it into the studio, and when I step up to a microphone, I have a vague idea of what I'm about to do.

Typically I go in the studio and whatever I'm contemplating that day will wind up being a song. I don't come in with lyrics... I just go in and let it happen.

Well, when The Black Keys make a record, I never really feel limited. To me, it seems the possibilities are always endless. The big difference has been playing live and being able to recreate every little part of the record.

I think that what I'm interested with is the creative side of music-making, rather than all the travelling.

I've always been a fan of just writing songs and making music.

The creative part for me is making songs, and that's what I really love the most, and that's what I've always done for every band I've ever had.

I like composing music, but I love being with my family.

You can't write much quality, original music on a concertina.

I've finally figured out how to make a Rodney Crowell record, and that's let it be, leave the mistakes.

It was important for the first piece of original music that I release to have a timeless feel because that's the type of music I want to make.

I think it's down to our songs - we've always made sure every song on every album works.

I'm usually just writing lyrics alone in my room, but I'm happy to be producing and writing chords anywhere.

When I was about 14, I got a tacky keyboard for 250 pounds and put on a drum machine and found I could write a song.

I'm not one of those guys who can just take a guitar into a room and come out with a song. I need all my instruments dotted around.

When I compose an album, I don't think about how to adapt it on stage.

It was always my dream to do non-film music, where I'm the voice and face of my composition.

I just like to do covers, every once in a while. If someone pays me to go into the studio, I'll do it.

I was drawn to love songs, but I was just drawn to great music - no matter if it's hip-hop, pop, R&B or whether it's rock n' roll or country. It could be a Garth Brooks song, and if it's a smash, then I'll love the different wordplay and different melodies. That's what I'm a fan of - great music.

I do feel most at home playing live, but the feeling of getting into the studio to see the new songs take shape was really incredible.

You can go crazy and play solos in the right place, and that's great because it can intensify and bring an emotional lift. But the thing is you don't want to get in the way of the song.