--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I usually start with a title or maybe a…" description: "\"I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.\" — Harlan Howard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg" --- # I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or… ![“I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.” quote by Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg) > “I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.” [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The writer begins with a title or rhyme to anchor the song’s theme and guide its development. **In simple terms:** Start with a catchy phrase. Key Takeaway Use a strong hook to shape your work. Themes songwriting creativity structure Mood inspirational practical Type educational creative When to use this quote - composing music - poetry - advertising slogans Key Concepts lyrics branding narrative Questions to Reflect On - How does a title influence your creative direction? - Can a rhyme constrain or inspire? A Different Perspective A title alone may limit lyrical depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Phrase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrase/) [Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases/) [Rhyme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhyme/) [Rhyme Phrase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhyme-phrase-3178111/) [Start Title](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-title-3178109/) [Title Maybe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/title-maybe-3178110/) [Titles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/titles/) [Usually Start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-start-834164/) ## Related quotes > [I usually start with a repulsive character and go on from there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-gould/i-usually-start-with-a-repulsive-character-and-go-on-from-there/) [Chester Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-gould/) > [I love melodies so it's usually where I start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-sierota/i-love-melodies-so-it-s-usually-where-i-start/) [Sydney Sierota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-sierota/) > [I usually start my day when my kids wake up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-wojcicki/i-usually-start-my-day-when-my-kids-wake-up/) [Anne Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-wojcicki/) > [When you forget yourself, you usually start doing something others will remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahj-mowry/when-you-forget-yourself-you-usually-start-doing-something-others/) [Tahj Mowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahj-mowry/) > [I usually start with something that has some energy, like a compressed character or a situation that's wound up like a spring. Then all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/i-usually-start-with-something-that-has-some-energy-like-a-compressed/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [“All good stories usually start at the beginning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-fifth-estate/all-good-stories-usually-start-at-the-beginning/) [The Fifth Estate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-fifth-estate/) > [I usually start with a lyric or a melody and then build a song around that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-potter/i-usually-start-with-a-lyric-or-a-melody-and-then-build-a-song-around/) [Grace Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-potter/) > [That's usually how they start, the young ones. Meaningless waffle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-stroud/that-s-usually-how-they-start-the-young-ones-meaningless-waffle/) [Jonathan Stroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-stroud/) > [I don't have any contempt for the men who have to have jobs and have to commute and have to pay the mortgage and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloan-wilson/i-don-t-have-any-contempt-for-the-men-who-have-to-have-jobs-and-have/) [Sloan Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloan-wilson/) > [“i recommend the phrase 'pineapple ass”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-recommend-the-phrase-pineapple-ass/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [Everything is derivative. Everything is a remix, and we all stand on the shoulders of giants - a great phrase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/everything-is-derivative-everything-is-a-remix-and-we-all-stand-on/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [If we have to sum up the Book of Revelation in one phrase, it would be, 'Jesus wins.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jud-wilhite/if-we-have-to-sum-up-the-book-of-revelation-in-one-phrase-it-would-be/) [Jud Wilhite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jud-wilhite/) > [I like having a phrase lying around to get poems started. It's like having a key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-mccrae/i-like-having-a-phrase-lying-around-to-get-poems-started-it-s-like/) [Shane McCrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-mccrae/) > [When people say 'love to hate', they actually mean 'love to be appalled by' - if they truly hated them, they'd never repeat a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-morris/when-people-say-love-to-hate-they-actually-mean-love-to-be-appalled/) [Chris Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-morris/) > [There's when a phrase circles in my head in a number of ways for any number of days, weeks, or months, and then that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mangan/there-s-when-a-phrase-circles-in-my-head-in-a-number-of-ways-for-any/) [Dan Mangan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mangan/) ## More by Harlan Howard > [I take a whole life story and compress it into three minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-take-a-whole-life-story-and-compress-it-into-three-minutes/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) > [Work is both my living and my pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/work-is-both-my-living-and-my-pleasure/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) > [Country music is three chords and the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/country-music-is-three-chords-and-the-truth/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) > [A lot of songs you write are just for exercise - just pencil sharpeners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/a-lot-of-songs-you-write-are-just-for-exercise-just-pencil-sharpeners/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) > [I'm always collecting emotions for future reference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-m-always-collecting-emotions-for-future-reference/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) > [I was captured by the songs as much as the singer. They grabbed my heart. The reality of Country Music moved me. Even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-was-captured-by-the-songs-as-much-as-the-singer-they-grabbed-my/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) [Explore all 7 Harlan Howard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) ## More Littles quotes > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [ Brad \[Dourif\] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kirschner/brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-was-not-intentionally-trying/) [David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kirschner/) > [You smile upon your friend to-day, To-day his ills are over; You hearken to the lover's say, And happy is the lover. 'Tis late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-smile-upon-your-friend-to-day-to-day-his-ills-are-over-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [I remember that the bass was turned up slightly more on the mix from last week, and I thought that was good - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ronson/i-remember-that-the-bass-was-turned-up-slightly-more-on-the-mix-from/) [Mark Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ronson/) > [I always step on the plane with my right foot and touch the outside of the plane with my left hand. Sometimes you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-always-step-on-the-plane-with-my-right-foot-and-touch-the-outside/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I was very lucky to get well known much later in life. You need to have flopped quite a few times to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/i-was-very-lucky-to-get-well-known-much-later-in-life-you-need-to/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-beauty-contests-and-popularity/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) > [It's only a little difficult to say no. You've got to believe that the work you're doing is ultimately more useful to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/it-s-only-a-little-difficult-to-say-no-you-ve-got-to-believe-that-the/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [If I had my brothers I think with just a little bit of the correct marketing, I'd like to be almost exclusively in small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/if-i-had-my-brothers-i-think-with-just-a-little-bit-of-the-correct/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Browse all 27,615 Littles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harlan Howard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a-little-rhyme-or-phrase/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Littles" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a-little-rhyme-or-phrase/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/harlan-howard-52744_littles_i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a_1952742.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.” — Harlan Howard", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Harlan Howard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I usually start with a title...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a-little-rhyme-or-phrase/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/i-usually-start-with-a-title-or-maybe-a-little-rhyme-or-phrase/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```