--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never write a tune before the lyrics. I…" description: "\"I never write a tune before the lyrics. I get the lyrics and then I write around them. Some people write music and the lyrics come along and they say, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/james-dean-bradfield-39591_feels_i-never-write-a-tune-before-the-lyrics-i_2060850.jpg" --- # I never write a tune before the lyrics. I get the lyrics… ![“I never write a tune before the lyrics. I get the lyrics and then I write around them. Some people write music and the lyrics come along and they say, 'Oh yeah, I've got something to fit that.' If that's the way people write songs, I feel like you might as well just go to the supermarket.” quote by James Dean Bradfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/james-dean-bradfield-39591_feels_i-never-write-a-tune-before-the-lyrics-i_2060850.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/james-dean-bradfield-39591_feels_i-never-write-a-tune-before-the-lyrics-i_2060850.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/james-dean-bradfield-39591_feels_i-never-write-a-tune-before-the-lyrics-i_2060850.jpg) > “I never write a tune before the lyrics. I get the lyrics and then I write around them. Some people write music and the lyrics come along and they say, 'Oh yeah, I've got something to fit that.' If that's the way people write songs, I feel like you might as well just go to the supermarket.” [James Dean Bradfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dean-bradfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker prefers creating lyrics first, then composing music around them, implying that starting with music feels arbitrary. **In simple terms:** Write lyrics first, then music. Key Takeaway Prioritize lyrics before melody. Themes songwriting process creativity Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice creative process When to use this quote - writing songs - collaborative projects - music production - creative brainstorming Key Concepts composition lyation artistic workflow Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel lyrics shape your musical ideas? - How does this method affect song cohesion? A Different Perspective Some artists find music inspires lyrics, so the reverse may limit spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Songs like 'One Love' by Bob Marley - they stand the test of time - it doesn't matter - so anytime I write music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/songs-like-one-love-by-bob-marley-they-stand-the-test-of-time-it/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [I'm writing a record of comedy songs. I'm doing all these collaborations with artists. 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