--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm pretty critical, but I'm also pretty…" description: "\"I'm pretty critical, but I'm also pretty good at letting go once it's done. There's this existential argument that comes in, at some point, when you're..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee8/chris-cornell-2180_argument_i-m-pretty-critical-but-i-m-also-pretty_754843.jpg" --- # I'm pretty critical, but I'm also pretty good at letting… ![“I'm pretty critical, but I'm also pretty good at letting go once it's done. There's this existential argument that comes in, at some point, when you're over-thinking the songwriting process. There's no guarantee that the more time you spend or the more you concentrate on certain aspects that…” quote by Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee8/chris-cornell-2180_argument_i-m-pretty-critical-but-i-m-also-pretty_754843.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee8/chris-cornell-2180_argument_i-m-pretty-critical-but-i-m-also-pretty_754843.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee8/chris-cornell-2180_argument_i-m-pretty-critical-but-i-m-also-pretty_754843.jpg) > “I'm pretty critical, but I'm also pretty good at letting go once it's done. There's this existential argument that comes in, at some point, when you're over-thinking the songwriting process. There's no guarantee that the more time you spend or the more you concentrate on certain aspects that that's going to produce a better result, especially in the arts. Some of the most brilliant things that someone might do could happen in three minutes because it's something that just occurs to them.” [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive analysis can hinder creativity; sometimes the best work emerges spontaneously without over‑thinking. **In simple terms:** Too much thinking can block art; quick inspiration can be powerful. Key Takeaway Embrace spontaneity in creative work. Themes creativity process mindset Mood inspirational introspective Type artistic motivational When to use this quote - songwriting - painting - writing - design Key Concepts flow state intuition over‑analysis Questions to Reflect On - When have you trusted a sudden idea? - How do you know when to stop analyzing? A Different Perspective May lead to sloppy or unrefined output if not later refined. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brilliant/) [Existential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriting/) [Writing process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-process/) ## Related quotes > [There's this existential argument that comes in, at some point, when you're over-thinking the songwriting process. There's no guarantee that the more time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/there-s-this-existential-argument-that-comes-in-at-some-point-when/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I'm pretty critical of myself as far as reaching some sort of perfect bull's-eye or target that I'm aiming for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bridges/i-m-pretty-critical-of-myself-as-far-as-reaching-some-sort-of-perfect/) [Jeff Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bridges/) > [My dad can be pretty critical sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-phillips/my-dad-can-be-pretty-critical-sometimes/) [Zara Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-phillips/) > [I've been thinking about songwriting more in terms of playing it live, and how it will sound as a band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/i-ve-been-thinking-about-songwriting-more-in-terms-of-playing-it-live/) [Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/) > [Music is entirely subjective. I was thinking that for myself, for songwriting and what I like to listen to, to help motivate me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marnie-stern/music-is-entirely-subjective-i-was-thinking-that-for-myself-for/) [Marnie Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marnie-stern/) > [I love performing, so I think there was an element of me that probably, deep down, loved parts of what the artist's life looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/griff/i-love-performing-so-i-think-there-was-an-element-of-me-that-probably/) [Griff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/griff/) > [Well, our songwriting process is pretty collective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rich/well-our-songwriting-process-is-pretty-collective/) [Adam Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rich/) > [I've always treated my songwriting as a process that isn't solely driven by a production model or genre, but instead by a feeling, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-koma/i-ve-always-treated-my-songwriting-as-a-process-that-isn-t-solely/) [Matthew Koma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-koma/) > [ My lesson from that \[songwriting process\] was that I should go back to where I was and try to make that first pure even… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/my-lesson-from-that-songwriting-process-was-that-i-should-go-back-to/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [My favorite way to get into the songwriting process is to get into the studio, and then usually, they play a loop of four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tate-mcrae/my-favorite-way-to-get-into-the-songwriting-process-is-to-get-into/) [Tate McRae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tate-mcrae/) > [I don't think my songwriting process has been influenced directly by either of my parents, because that is definitely something that you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/i-don-t-think-my-songwriting-process-has-been-influenced-directly-by/) [Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/) > [“Her songwriting process begins with her sitting down and saying to herself "Okay, who is this about? and what would I say to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-stewart/her-songwriting-process-begins-with-her-sitting-down-and-saying-to/) [Jessica Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-stewart/) > [ Wherever inspiration comes from, it's like I'll hear a melody and chords, almost a rough structure of the whole thing \[song\]. I'll just hear… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-wyse/wherever-inspiration-comes-from-it-s-like-i-ll-hear-a-melody-and/) [Chris Wyse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-wyse/) > [Sometimes you're writing a song and you have an image whilst writing a song. I don't think you ever base a songwriting process around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-hemmings/sometimes-you-re-writing-a-song-and-you-have-an-image-whilst-writing/) [Luke Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-hemmings/) > [Even though, theoretically, being a composer and being a songwriter are the same thing, in my brain, they are completely different. When I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bacon/even-though-theoretically-being-a-composer-and-being-a-songwriter-are/) [Michael Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bacon/) ## More by Chris Cornell > [I've had a long career and I want to continue to have a long career. The way to do that is not to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-ve-had-a-long-career-and-i-want-to-continue-to-have-a-long-career/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [Music is supposed to be inspired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/music-is-supposed-to-be-inspired/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I think it's important for fans to know that but if I'm doing something that inspires me musically then I think it will inspire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-think-it-s-important-for-fans-to-know-that-but-if-i-m-doing/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [As a child, I was this record collector/listener that would sit in a room and listen to the entire Beatles catalog alone, over and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/as-a-child-i-was-this-record-collector-listener-that-would-sit-in-a/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [When you start your first band and it has an impact on the rest of the world you go through a lot with those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/when-you-start-your-first-band-and-it-has-an-impact-on-the-rest-of/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [In the United States, workouts tend to focus on body image and how you look. For me, it's really all about the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/in-the-united-states-workouts-tend-to-focus-on-body-image-and-how-you/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I don't care what people think of me or for what reason they think of me. I don't feel like I don't know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-don-t-care-what-people-think-of-me-or-for-what-reason-they-think-of/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I would look at older blues musicians who just keep going into their seventies. They keep doing it until they drop dead. And I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-would-look-at-older-blues-musicians-who-just-keep-going-into-their/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I used to work in jobs I hated because I needed the money to buy a guitar. I know what it feels like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-used-to-work-in-jobs-i-hated-because-i-needed-the-money-to-buy-a/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [When that much time goes by, you're really listening to your old music differently. At the time it's written, it was the beginning of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/when-that-much-time-goes-by-you-re-really-listening-to-your-old-music/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/due-to-irresolvable-personality-conflicts-as-well-as-musical/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [It's good for me to be involved in different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/it-s-good-for-me-to-be-involved-in-different-things/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I started as a drummer, so I sort of took on singing duties by default. I had sung backgrounds and some lead vocals from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-started-as-a-drummer-so-i-sort-of-took-on-singing-duties-by-default/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [And if you dont believe the sun will rise, stand alone and greet the coming night in the last remaining light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/and-if-you-dont-believe-the-sun-will-rise-stand-alone-and-greet-the/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [Companies figured out that the easiest way to make money was to reissue records that the accounting department had paid for years ago and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/companies-figured-out-that-the-easiest-way-to-make-money-was-to/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) [Explore all 181 Chris Cornell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) ## More Argument quotes > [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [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/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [One argument goes that recessions are good for female artists because when money flies out the window, women are allowed in the house. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/one-argument-goes-that-recessions-are-good-for-female-artists-because/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [“Arguments led by subjectivity are a waste of time. And, if they take place online, add to that, a waste of one’s keyboard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/arguments-led-by-subjectivity-are-a-waste-of-time-and-if-they-take/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [If in the middle of an argument I suddenly fall silent it does not mean you have won... No it means you should probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/if-in-the-middle-of-an-argument-i-suddenly-fall-silent-it-does-not/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [“The motive behind my arguments have always been to come at truth. I am not interested in conquering anyone with my ideologies or seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-evans/the-motive-behind-my-arguments-have-always-been-to-come-at-truth-i-am/) [Crystal Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-evans/) > [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/) [John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/) [Browse all 3,479 Argument quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm pretty critical, but I'm also pretty good at letting go once it's done. There's this existential argument that comes in, at some point, when you're over-thinking the songwriting process. 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