--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I cross things out more than I write…" description: "\"I cross things out more than I write them. And if I try to sing a line, and I know that it's written incorrectly, I get this weird sort of physical nau..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/465/bill-callahan-10685_always_i-cross-things-out-more-than-i-write-the_420987.jpg" --- # I cross things out more than I write them. And if I try to… ![“I cross things out more than I write them. And if I try to sing a line, and I know that it's written incorrectly, I get this weird sort of physical nausea, and my mouth curls up all strange. I guess that's why I always write the words first: because, if everything feels okay, I'm ready to put it…” quote by Bill Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/465/bill-callahan-10685_always_i-cross-things-out-more-than-i-write-the_420987.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/465/bill-callahan-10685_always_i-cross-things-out-more-than-i-write-the_420987.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/465/bill-callahan-10685_always_i-cross-things-out-more-than-i-write-the_420987.jpg) > “I cross things out more than I write them. And if I try to sing a line, and I know that it's written incorrectly, I get this weird sort of physical nausea, and my mouth curls up all strange. I guess that's why I always write the words first: because, if everything feels okay, I'm ready to put it to music.” [Bill Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-callahan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He prefers to write lyrics before composing music to avoid discomfort from errors. **In simple terms:** Write words first to ensure comfort before singing. Key Takeaway Write lyrics before music. Themes creative process perfectionism artistic anxiety Mood introspective analytical Type creative process‑oriented When to use this quote - studio recording - live performance - songwriting sessions Key Concepts songwriting workflow cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - How does writing first affect your music? - Can you embrace imperfection in performance? A Different Perspective Perfectionism may stall progress if over‑applied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross/) [Incorrectly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incorrectly/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [“ Japan Today I pass the time reading a favorite haiku, saying the few words over and over. It feels like eating the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-collins/japan-today-i-pass-the-time-reading-a-favorite-haiku-saying-the-few/) [Billy Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-collins/) > [“I will say it one last time: Demonation! The feeling of it! 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This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. 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