--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever I fill out the job description I…" description: "\"Whenever I fill out the job description I put 'songwriter', never 'singer' or 'artist.' Singers come and go.\" — Brian McKnight" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba7/brian-mcknight-8171_artist_whenever-i-fill-out-the-job-description_1564653.png" --- # Whenever I fill out the job description I put… ![“Whenever I fill out the job description I put 'songwriter', never 'singer' or 'artist.' Singers come and go.” quote by Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba7/brian-mcknight-8171_artist_whenever-i-fill-out-the-job-description_1564653.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba7/brian-mcknight-8171_artist_whenever-i-fill-out-the-job-description_1564653.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba7/brian-mcknight-8171_artist_whenever-i-fill-out-the-job-description_1564653.png) > “Whenever I fill out the job description I put 'songwriter', never 'singer' or 'artist.' Singers come and go.” [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identifying as a songwriter emphasizes creative ownership, while labeling as singer or artist can be transient and less defining. **In simple terms:** Being a songwriter defines you more than being a singer. Key Takeaway Focus on your creative role, not fleeting titles. Themes career identity creativity Mood motivational pragmatic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - songwriting workshops - career planning - artist branding Key Concepts authorship branding longevity Questions to Reflect On - What does being a songwriter mean to you? - How do you protect your creative identity? A Different Perspective The market may still value performance over writing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artist Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist-singers-5877416/) [Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) [Come and go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come-and-go/) [Description](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/description/) [Description Songwriter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/description-songwriter-5877415/) [Fill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fill/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Job description](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-description/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Put](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/put/) [Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singer/) [Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers/) [Songwriter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriter/) [Songwriter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriter-singer-244583/) [Whenever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whenever/) ## Related quotes > [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. It all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/music-is-my-personal-addiction-so-much-of-everything-i-ve-done-has/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [To be a songwriter-singer means the songs come from deep within, and you treat them as an artist, with that much respect. I couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-orbison/to-be-a-songwriter-singer-means-the-songs-come-from-deep-within-and/) [Roy Orbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-orbison/) > [I never thought of myself as a performer or songwriter or singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hunt/i-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-performer-or-songwriter-or-singer/) [Sam Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hunt/) > [I find writing songs hard, because it does not come naturally to me. I never set out to be a songwriter or a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/i-find-writing-songs-hard-because-it-does-not-come-naturally-to-me-i/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [I'm a songwriter-singer. I'm very vocal oriented, of course, but songwriting - no matter whether it's for myself or another artist - is of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lp/i-m-a-songwriter-singer-i-m-very-vocal-oriented-of-course-but/) [LP](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lp/) > [I think I'm much more of a guitar-songwriter than a singer. I start with chords and then test out melodies rather than improvising over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/i-think-i-m-much-more-of-a-guitar-songwriter-than-a-singer-i-start/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [When I started as a kid, I wanted to be a piano player and songwriter. I only became a singer by accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sinatra-jr/when-i-started-as-a-kid-i-wanted-to-be-a-piano-player-and-songwriter/) [Frank Sinatra Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sinatra-jr/) > [I definitely always thought of myself as a songwriter before a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-michaels/i-definitely-always-thought-of-myself-as-a-songwriter-before-a-singer/) [Julia Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-michaels/) > [I've been on pilots. I've seen shows come and go. 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People come and go, but I stay the course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-costner/i-don-t-give-up-i-m-a-plodder-people-come-and-go-but-i-stay-the-course/) [Kevin Costner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-costner/) > [You may come and go, but the real test is to see how long one can manage to stay in the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armaan-malik/you-may-come-and-go-but-the-real-test-is-to-see-how-long-one-can/) [Armaan Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armaan-malik/) > [I'd rather be dealt with as a person than a persona. With my children, I'm just 'Mom.' At the end of the day, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-rania-of-jordan/i-d-rather-be-dealt-with-as-a-person-than-a-persona-with-my-children/) [Queen Rania of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-rania-of-jordan/) > [I feel like I have done a lot at United, I still have developed as a player and grown into myself, seen a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jones/i-feel-like-i-have-done-a-lot-at-united-i-still-have-developed-as-a/) [Phil Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jones/) ## More by Brian McKnight > [I've worked with jazz artists, country artists, classical artists, pop artists. I never wanted there to be categories, because when I was a kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-ve-worked-with-jazz-artists-country-artists-classical-artists-pop/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I hope at some point in my career when my name is mentioned, someone will say "Oh yeah he has a good song!" I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-hope-at-some-point-in-my-career-when-my-name-is-mentioned-someone/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Most of the stuff I learned to play, I learned in high school. I had a band in high school, a jazz-fusion thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/most-of-the-stuff-i-learned-to-play-i-learned-in-high-school-i-had-a/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Every little kid that steps on the court or the field has aspirations to go pro. I think being a pro basketball player is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/every-little-kid-that-steps-on-the-court-or-the-field-has-aspirations/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [He knows I rip him off every day. He's the godfather for me. 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I am just a guy that watches sports all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-am-just-like-all-the-jerks-and-idiots-you-know-i-am-just-a-guy-that/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I should know better but its just not the case.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-should-know-better-but-its-just-not-the-case/) [Brian Mcknight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I am at my core a singer/songwriter a la James Taylor or a la Billy Joel. It's not that I don't want to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-am-at-my-core-a-singer-songwriter-a-la-james-taylor-or-a-la-billy/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [People don't like when you point out to them and remind them that they're not very smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/people-don-t-like-when-you-point-out-to-them-and-remind-them-that/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Stevie didn't use the technology to drive the song. He used it to enhance. I use the tools to further my work, I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/stevie-didn-t-use-the-technology-to-drive-the-song-he-used-it-to/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I was a nerd academically. But I was also an athlete and a musician. I never wanted to be shut out of any situation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-was-a-nerd-academically-but-i-was-also-an-athlete-and-a-musician-i/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I think I'd have to say my favorite IWC. They have been around for so long and the craftsmanship is top notch. A watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-think-i-d-have-to-say-my-favorite-iwc-they-have-been-around-for-so/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [A lot of musicians put diamonds on things to show they had money. I on the other had felt that Daytona showed I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/a-lot-of-musicians-put-diamonds-on-things-to-show-they-had-money-i-on/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) [Explore all 83 Brian McKnight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. 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This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whenever I fill out the job description I put 'songwriter', never 'singer' or 'artist.' 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