--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try to write like the writers I admire…" description: "\"I try to write like the writers I admire - I rip them off in form. It comes from George Strait and Merle Haggard records, and country music in general ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/brad-paisley-1920_admire_i-try-to-write-like-the-writers-i-admire_2982495.jpg" --- # I try to write like the writers I admire - I rip them off… ![“I try to write like the writers I admire - I rip them off in form. It comes from George Strait and Merle Haggard records, and country music in general is really good at that, the twisted phrase... So Im always looking for that angle in my own work.” quote by Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/brad-paisley-1920_admire_i-try-to-write-like-the-writers-i-admire_2982495.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/brad-paisley-1920_admire_i-try-to-write-like-the-writers-i-admire_2982495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/brad-paisley-1920_admire_i-try-to-write-like-the-writers-i-admire_2982495.jpg) > “I try to write like the writers I admire - I rip them off in form. It comes from George Strait and Merle Haggard records, and country music in general is really good at that, the twisted phrase... So Im always looking for that angle in my own work.” [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He imitates admired writers’ styles, especially country music, to find fresh angles for his own work. **In simple terms:** He copies admired styles to discover new ideas. Key Takeaway Study and adapt influences for originality. Themes creativity influence writing music Mood reflective inspired Type advice process artistic. When to use this quote - songwriting - creative workshops - genre experimentation - personal artistic development Key Concepts intertextuality genre blending artistic imitation Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance homage with originality? - What new angles emerge from blending genres? A Different Perspective Overreliance on imitation may stifle unique voice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-music/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think my brand of country music is that's been influenced by not just the rough-stock rodeo side or Ted Nugent's "let's get crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-johnson/i-think-my-brand-of-country-music-is-that-s-been-influenced-by-not/) [Cody Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-johnson/) > [...you think back to Tele players, and James Burton was the one who started it all. He inspired Roy Nichols (guitar for Merle Haggard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/you-think-back-to-tele-players-and-james-burton-was-the-one-who/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I listen to Lil Wayne, and then I listen to Merle Haggard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-farr/i-listen-to-lil-wayne-and-then-i-listen-to-merle-haggard/) [Tyler Farr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-farr/) > [Around 14, I was turned on to Shania, Reba, Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood... and I've followed it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bell-bundy/around-14-i-was-turned-on-to-shania-reba-merle-haggard-garth-brooks/) [Laura Bell Bundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bell-bundy/) > [The records in the house I really remember were, well, Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman' and 'Galveston.' Even as a kid, I knew these songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-urban/the-records-in-the-house-i-really-remember-were-well-glen-campbell-s/) [Keith Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-urban/) > [I just got into it like a lot of people through the rock 'n' roll bands in the late '60s that turned to country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/i-just-got-into-it-like-a-lot-of-people-through-the-rock-n-roll-bands/) [Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/) > [It's cool when your husband starts to sing some old Merle Haggard song and I can pop in with a harmony and it doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trisha-yearwood/it-s-cool-when-your-husband-starts-to-sing-some-old-merle-haggard/) [Trisha Yearwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trisha-yearwood/) > [And I think it's safe to say that the single very impressive figure to me was Merle Haggard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-zevon/and-i-think-it-s-safe-to-say-that-the-single-very-impressive-figure/) [Warren Zevon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-zevon/) > [Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard and Keith Whitley - guys like that were huge influences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sturgill-simpson/willie-nelson-marty-robbins-merle-haggard-and-keith-whitley-guys-like/) [Sturgill Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sturgill-simpson/) > [I really like Alan Jackson, in Country Music. I think he's really very, very talented along with George Jones, and Merle Haggard, the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-tucker/i-really-like-alan-jackson-in-country-music-i-think-he-s-really-very/) [Tanya Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-tucker/) > [I had always loved music. I grew up listening to classic country, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard. My dad loved Vern Gosdin and Keith Whitley.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-owen/i-had-always-loved-music-i-grew-up-listening-to-classic-country/) [Jake Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-owen/) > [If I'm listening to country, it's Hank Williams, George Jones, Merle Haggard and stuff like that. If people out there don't take that stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-osborne/if-i-m-listening-to-country-it-s-hank-williams-george-jones-merle/) [Buzz Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-osborne/) > [There's just enough drinking and cheating songs around without me adding to them. Unless you've got something better than "Misery and Gin" by Merle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-watson/there-s-just-enough-drinking-and-cheating-songs-around-without-me/) [Aaron Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-watson/) > [My music comes from country music. Merle Haggard is God, and I do believe that. I'm not too tuned in to country music. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loudon-wainwright-iii/my-music-comes-from-country-music-merle-haggard-is-god-and-i-do/) [Loudon Wainwright III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loudon-wainwright-iii/) > [“I continued toward Atlanta with a Merle Haggard C.D. playing on the stereo. They weren't great hosts, but those guys in The Ted Kaczynski…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcclellan/i-continued-toward-atlanta-with-a-merle-haggard-c-d-playing-on-the/) Ian McClellan ## More by Brad Paisley > [You shouldn't listen to my music for political messages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/you-shouldn-t-listen-to-my-music-for-political-messages/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [A creative space is an important thing. There are so many studios that feel like doctor's offices in Nashville. I couldn't write there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/a-creative-space-is-an-important-thing-there-are-so-many-studios-that/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [My life would be very puzzling to most people if they had to follow me around for a day or two. They'd say, 'Wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/my-life-would-be-very-puzzling-to-most-people-if-they-had-to-follow/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [My father's a firefighter. He was my whole life. And my brother-in-law and several family members are firefighters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/my-father-s-a-firefighter-he-was-my-whole-life-and-my-brother-in-law/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I can't see this world unless I go/ outside my southern comfort zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-can-t-see-this-world-unless-i-go-outside-my-southern-comfort-zone/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I like to look at the songs like they're little movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-like-to-look-at-the-songs-like-they-re-little-movies/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [When every memory has been made and the pages start to fade. And every prayer you ever prayed is heaven bound. When you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/when-every-memory-has-been-made-and-the-pages-start-to-fade-and-every/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [You look out there and there's people that, their day is changed because of your contribution to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/you-look-out-there-and-there-s-people-that-their-day-is-changed/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I do standup once a year, when I host the CMAs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-do-standup-once-a-year-when-i-host-the-cmas/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I go to eat dinner with my folks when I'm home. I think that's the trick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-go-to-eat-dinner-with-my-folks-when-i-m-home-i-think-that-s-the/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I can't play a solo without thinking about John Jorgenson. I always think about what he would do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-can-t-play-a-solo-without-thinking-about-john-jorgenson-i-always/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I like comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-like-comedy/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [Pilgrims travel to Jerusalem to see the Holy Land, and the foundations of their faith. People go to Washington, D.C. to see the workings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/pilgrims-travel-to-jerusalem-to-see-the-holy-land-and-the-foundations/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [Date night is important, even if it's going to Schlotzsky's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/date-night-is-important-even-if-it-s-going-to-schlotzsky-s/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [I love being an enigma. Every time I'm tempted to respond to someone who tries to put me in a box, politically - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-love-being-an-enigma-every-time-i-m-tempted-to-respond-to-someone/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) [Explore all 198 Brad Paisley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) ## More Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/) [Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/) > [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) > [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/) [Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/) Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I try to write like the writers I admire - I rip them off in form. 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