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I'm not saying that every song has to be an all-time hit…

“I'm not saying that every song has to be an all-time hit or the greatest ever music. That's not what you should set out to do. But you have to find out what will work best for a particular story or theme or backdrop, and discuss how not to make it a cliche or fall into such traps.” quote by Mani Ratnam
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“I'm not saying that every song has to be an all-time hit or the greatest ever music. That's not what you should set out to do. But you have to find out what will work best for a particular story or theme or backdrop, and discuss how not to make it a cliche or fall into such traps.”

Mani Ratnam

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Choosing music should serve the story, not chase fame; avoid clichés by matching tone and context.

In simple terms: Music must fit the story, not be a hit.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize narrative fit over popularity.

Themes

storytelling music creativity authenticity

Mood

thoughtful analytical inspirational

Type

advice creative industry.

When to use this quote

  • film scoring
  • advertising
  • theatre productions
  • video games
  • podcast intros

Key Concepts

narrative alignment genre awareness emotional resonance

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you decide when a song feels forced?
  • What cues tell you a track enhances the scene?
A Different Perspective

Balancing originality with audience expectations can be tricky.

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