It ain't just a question of misunderstood, Deep down inside him, he's no good

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Mankind Quotes, Understanding Quotes

So many good songs get written fast, because you know exactly what has to work.

So many good songs get written fast, because you know exactly what has to work.

I really don't want to write a score until the whole show is cast and...

I really don't want to write a score until the whole show is cast and...

One difference between poetry and lyrics is that lyrics sort of fade into the background....

One difference between poetry and lyrics is that lyrics sort of fade into the background....

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the...

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the...

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

My personal life and my artistic life do not interfere with each other.

My personal life and my artistic life do not interfere with each other.

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have...

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have...

When you know your cast well and their strengths and weaknesses, you can start writing...

When you know your cast well and their strengths and weaknesses, you can start writing...

Oscar Hammerstein was a surrogate father during all those many days, and weeks and months...

Oscar Hammerstein was a surrogate father during all those many days, and weeks and months...

I fell into lyric writing because of music. I backed into it.

I fell into lyric writing because of music. I backed into it.

I firmly believe lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to...

I firmly believe lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to...

I don't listen to recordings of my songs. I don't avoid it, I just don't...

I don't listen to recordings of my songs. I don't avoid it, I just don't...

Lyrics have to be underwritten. That's why poets generally make poor lyric writers because the...

Lyrics have to be underwritten. That's why poets generally make poor lyric writers because the...

The more restrictions you have, the easier anything is to write.

The more restrictions you have, the easier anything is to write.

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on...

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on...

The movie adaptations of stage musicals that I've seen, without exception, in my opinion don't...

The movie adaptations of stage musicals that I've seen, without exception, in my opinion don't...

I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.

I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.

I would have been a geologist.

I would have been a geologist.

My mother wanted me off her hands. She was a working woman. She designed clothes,...

My mother wanted me off her hands. She was a working woman. She designed clothes,...