--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can build up expectations for a song…" description: "\"You can build up expectations for a song before you record it, and then it's like nothing's good enough in the studio.\" — Andrew Bird" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png" --- # You can build up expectations for a song before you record… ![“You can build up expectations for a song before you record it, and then it's like nothing's good enough in the studio.” quote by Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png) > “You can build up expectations for a song before you record it, and then it's like nothing's good enough in the studio.” [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pre‑recording expectations can make the final product feel inadequate. **In simple terms:** High expectations can ruin satisfaction. Key Takeaway Manage expectations before creation. Themes expectations creativity studio work Mood reflective creative Type artistic motivational When to use this quote - recording sessions - creative brainstorming - feedback loops - artist‑listener dynamics Key Concepts music production psychology performance Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep expectations realistic? - What strategies help stay satisfied with outcomes? A Different Perspective May stifle experimentation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [You can always tell when something is good, because the studio senses it has something good, and you can see them pour more and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheech-marin/you-can-always-tell-when-something-is-good-because-the-studio-senses/) [Cheech Marin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheech-marin/) > [I ain't a new artist, I'm good in the studio, I don't need somebody to hold my hand in the studio. I don't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jadakiss/i-ain-t-a-new-artist-i-m-good-in-the-studio-i-don-t-need-somebody-to/) [Jadakiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jadakiss/) > [Darrell is really good in the studio. I mean, he has a real working knowledge of how the process works, and what sounds good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-clark/darrell-is-really-good-in-the-studio-i-mean-he-has-a-real-working/) [Guy Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-clark/) > [Some people take that really seriously. There's an art to it and I've watched people drive themselves crazy sequencing an 11, 12 song record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-freese/some-people-take-that-really-seriously-there-s-an-art-to-it-and-i-ve/) [Josh Freese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-freese/) > [Right away, I knew I didn't want to have that look of other guys with long hair and bell-bottom pants, because everybody else had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loudon-wainwright-iii/right-away-i-knew-i-didn-t-want-to-have-that-look-of-other-guys-with/) [Loudon Wainwright III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loudon-wainwright-iii/) > [Back when I was growing up, if I loved a song, I would record it off of the radio so I could hear them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/back-when-i-was-growing-up-if-i-loved-a-song-i-would-record-it-off-of/) [Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/) > [Chance in music doesn't have to involve the I Ching or rolling dice or throwing yarrow stalks. It can involve an out-of-tune guitar, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-grubbs/chance-in-music-doesn-t-have-to-involve-the-i-ching-or-rolling-dice/) [David Grubbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-grubbs/) > [The Wreckoning is a darker song. But the record is positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taryn-manning/the-wreckoning-is-a-darker-song-but-the-record-is-positive/) [Taryn Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taryn-manning/) > [Here's the way the licensing works ... If you write a song, nobody can record your song before you do without your permission. But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/here-s-the-way-the-licensing-works-if-you-write-a-song-nobody-can/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [I usually just write a song and record it that day, and then that's kind of it. 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I guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/i-ve-been-writing-music-since-i-was-about-eight-i-would-write/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [It's like, it's up to the people to fall in love with the song. The record company can only do so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-westerberg/it-s-like-it-s-up-to-the-people-to-fall-in-love-with-the-song-the/) [Paul Westerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-westerberg/) > [I can't freestyle or else I'll just start saying anything, so I'll write the song first and then record. I'll rap to the producer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-can-t-freestyle-or-else-i-ll-just-start-saying-anything-so-i-ll/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) ## More by Andrew Bird > [I've always felt that dark lyrics with dark music is pretty useless. Maybe that's a strong statement - not useless, but for me, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-ve-always-felt-that-dark-lyrics-with-dark-music-is-pretty-useless/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-don-t-write-poetry-and-then-strum-some-chords-and-then-fit-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [There's kind of this unequaled thrill of playing a half-finished song, it's kind of sense of slight embarrassment; like you're blushing. I like doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/there-s-kind-of-this-unequaled-thrill-of-playing-a-half-finished-song/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I think when I was pretty young I got really into the tone of my instrument and I remember just playing one note for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-think-when-i-was-pretty-young-i-got-really-into-the-tone-of-my/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [The anti-aging advert that I would like to see is a baby covered in cream saying, 'Aah, I've used too much'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/the-anti-aging-advert-that-i-would-like-to-see-is-a-baby-covered-in/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I'm just trying to get my body in shape so that I can handle it. It's a very physically demanding thing. I've been doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-m-just-trying-to-get-my-body-in-shape-so-that-i-can-handle-it-it-s/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [The way I work, I'm not a confessional singer-songwriter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/the-way-i-work-i-m-not-a-confessional-singer-songwriter/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [Since I first picked up the violin, I've been very interested in tone and texture: I would have very visceral reactions to the texture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/since-i-first-picked-up-the-violin-i-ve-been-very-interested-in-tone/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [The problem is, when you're working with orchestras, you only get the orchestra for about two hours before the performance to pull it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/the-problem-is-when-you-re-working-with-orchestras-you-only-get-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I think I'm still a little too intense for my own good sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-think-i-m-still-a-little-too-intense-for-my-own-good-sometimes/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I have the barn, it's just kind of like a studio. Almost all artists have la studio to work in, and that's really what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-have-the-barn-it-s-just-kind-of-like-a-studio-almost-all-artists/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [There's always a tension between wanting to write a really concise, instant gratification type song that gets under your skin the first time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/there-s-always-a-tension-between-wanting-to-write-a-really-concise/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [Sometimes I just think we're not meant to fly halfway around the world in a day. That some kind of mutation is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/sometimes-i-just-think-we-re-not-meant-to-fly-halfway-around-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I write a lot more when I'm happy, because you're hopeful, you're motivated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-write-a-lot-more-when-i-m-happy-because-you-re-hopeful-you-re/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-ve-done-my-share-of-busking-and-it-s-fun-until-it-isn-t-there-are/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) [Explore all 117 Andrew Bird quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) ## More Enough quotes > [I guess at it's very core love is connection that just makes so much sense you wonder how you used to live before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-stone/i-guess-at-it-s-very-core-love-is-connection-that-just-makes-so-much/) [Benjamin Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-stone/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I've been lucky enough to, for the most part, surround myself with a lot of people who are more talented than me and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-franco/i-ve-been-lucky-enough-to-for-the-most-part-surround-myself-with-a/) [Dave Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-franco/) > [I love because there is not enough room in my heart to hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rena-kornreich-gelissen/i-love-because-there-is-not-enough-room-in-my-heart-to-hate/) Rena Kornreich Gelissen > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I've been to Manchester enough to know it's a real place. It's not Factory Records and the Smiths bicycling around. I get it. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/i-ve-been-to-manchester-enough-to-know-it-s-a-real-place-it-s-not/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/) [Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/) > [Sam dropped me off. When she was too far away to see me, I started to cry again. Because she was my friend again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/sam-dropped-me-off-when-she-was-too-far-away-to-see-me-i-started-to/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. 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I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [New York is large, glamorous, easy-going, kindly and incurious, but above all it is a crucible - because it is large enough to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ford-madox-ford/new-york-is-large-glamorous-easy-going-kindly-and-incurious-but-above/) [Ford Madox Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ford-madox-ford/) Browse all 23,898 Enough quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can build up expectations for a song before you record it, and then it's like nothing's good enough in the studio.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Bird" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song-before-you-record-it-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enough" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song-before-you-record-it-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/andrew-bird-4041_enough_you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song_2780081.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can build up expectations for a song before you record it, and then it's like nothing's good enough in…” — Andrew Bird", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Andrew Bird", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can build up expectations for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song-before-you-record-it-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/you-can-build-up-expectations-for-a-song-before-you-record-it-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```