--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you first sit down to write songs…" description: "\"When you first sit down to write songs, you have to be selfish.\" — Ben Howard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/ben-howard-4511_down_when-you-first-sit-down-to-write-songs-y_2383868.png" --- # When you first sit down to write songs, you have to be… ![“When you first sit down to write songs, you have to be selfish.” quote by Ben Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/ben-howard-4511_down_when-you-first-sit-down-to-write-songs-y_2383868.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/ben-howard-4511_down_when-you-first-sit-down-to-write-songs-y_2383868.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/ben-howard-4511_down_when-you-first-sit-down-to-write-songs-y_2383868.png) > “When you first sit down to write songs, you have to be selfish.” [Ben Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-howard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Songwriting starts with personal selfishness to protect creative vision. **In simple terms:** Start writing selfishly. Key Takeaway Protect your creative voice early. Themes creativity songwriting selfishness authenticity Mood reflective inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - songwriters - musicians - producers - creative teams Key Concepts artistic integrity personal expression Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance selfishness with collaboration? - When does personal vision serve the song? A Different Perspective Selfishness may limit collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Sit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit/) [Sit Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit-write/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs/) [Songs Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs-selfish-5913847/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-songs/) ## Related quotes > [I keep a journal and just kind of take notes. 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