--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to keep the recording process…" description: "\"You have to keep the recording process open. If you make too many decisions before you go in, you can lose out on those serendipitous moments that can ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/james-mercer-10889_always_you-have-to-keep-the-recording-process-o_2714717.jpg" --- # You have to keep the recording process open. If you make… ![“You have to keep the recording process open. If you make too many decisions before you go in, you can lose out on those serendipitous moments that can really make a record, that I think are always required in the making of a really good record.” quote by James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/james-mercer-10889_always_you-have-to-keep-the-recording-process-o_2714717.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/james-mercer-10889_always_you-have-to-keep-the-recording-process-o_2714717.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/james-mercer-10889_always_you-have-to-keep-the-recording-process-o_2714717.jpg) > “You have to keep the recording process open. If you make too many decisions before you go in, you can lose out on those serendipitous moments that can really make a record, that I think are always required in the making of a really good record.” [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Keeping recording open allows serendipity, leading to better records. **In simple terms:** Stay open to unexpected ideas. Key Takeaway Allow spontaneous moments in creation. Themes creativity serendipity recording Mood reflective inspirational Type advisory practical When to use this quote - studio sessions - songwriting - live performance Key Concepts artistic process music production Questions to Reflect On - When do you decide to lock in choices? - How to balance planning with openness? A Different Perspective Too many decisions can stifle creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decisions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decisions/) [Good record](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-record/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Recording](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recording/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Everybody tells me I have a good record. Sometimes I have to think that I have to keep building my record after going five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/everybody-tells-me-i-have-a-good-record-sometimes-i-have-to-think/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [The minute you make a record because you think somebody's going to play it on the radio is the minute you ought to quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/the-minute-you-make-a-record-because-you-think-somebody-s-going-to/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I can make a record when I think I have a good one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-carmen/i-can-make-a-record-when-i-think-i-have-a-good-one/) [Eric Carmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-carmen/) > [I do not lose; I just do not get decisions sometimes. You lose when you quit. I have never quit. When it comes down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evander-holyfield/i-do-not-lose-i-just-do-not-get-decisions-sometimes-you-lose-when-you/) [Evander Holyfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evander-holyfield/) > [“Battles are won when warriors make the decisions not to lose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gilstrap/battles-are-won-when-warriors-make-the-decisions-not-to-lose/) [John Gilstrap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gilstrap/) > [ The recording process \[ for 'Dirty Work'\] took longer than anticipated, because we kept going on tour in between the recording process to make… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-barakat/the-recording-process-for-dirty-work-took-longer-than-anticipated/) [Jack Barakat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-barakat/) > [In the recording process, sometimes people feel that there isn't a space for them to contribute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-taylor/in-the-recording-process-sometimes-people-feel-that-there-isn-t-a/) [Alexis Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-taylor/) > [I think it's essential for writers to be involved in the recording process as things can often go wrong in this area. Voice actors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/i-think-it-s-essential-for-writers-to-be-involved-in-the-recording/) [Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/) > [Pro Tools was invented to quicken the recording process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/pro-tools-was-invented-to-quicken-the-recording-process/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [When I was first writing, I used to sit at the piano and play songs - I'd write one or two a night. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/when-i-was-first-writing-i-used-to-sit-at-the-piano-and-play-songs-i/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [I want the recording process to be a time in my life that I will remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neko-case/i-want-the-recording-process-to-be-a-time-in-my-life-that-i-will/) [Neko Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neko-case/) > [I've got the recording process down, and I can knock it out very quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-schon/i-ve-got-the-recording-process-down-and-i-can-knock-it-out-very/) [Neal Schon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-schon/) > [Even before I wrote any songs, I had this idea of a triangle where the voice was at the top, some sort of guitar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/panda-bear/even-before-i-wrote-any-songs-i-had-this-idea-of-a-triangle-where-the/) [Panda Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/panda-bear/) > [I get very deep into the writing and recording process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-bedingfield/i-get-very-deep-into-the-writing-and-recording-process/) [Natasha Bedingfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-bedingfield/) > [Since the recording process is instantaneous, and the nature of the image such that it cannot survive corrective handwork, it is obvious that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/since-the-recording-process-is-instantaneous-and-the-nature-of-the/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) ## More by James Mercer > [I do like talking with friends about big concepts, you know, the stuff that will ruin a party. To me, the party hasn't begun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-do-like-talking-with-friends-about-big-concepts-you-know-the-stuff/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [Horrible dates are when you're with people who are immature and can't really be comfortable in their own skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/horrible-dates-are-when-you-re-with-people-who-are-immature-and-can-t/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [I'm real happy. I've been lucky in love, and I've got a wonderful kid now, and things have been going well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-m-real-happy-i-ve-been-lucky-in-love-and-i-ve-got-a-wonderful-kid/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [The fact that I'm often pushing my voice as hard as I can is from playing in nightclubs in Albuquerque where you don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/the-fact-that-i-m-often-pushing-my-voice-as-hard-as-i-can-is-from/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [ I really \[enjoy\] working with new people and just sort of the freshness of it. ... I \[want\] to have those new conversations, musically… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-really-enjoy-working-with-new-people-and-just-sort-of-the-freshness/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [Meeting Perry Farrel was kind of cool. 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Before the Shins, I would tell myself, 'Oh, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/for-the-longest-time-i-didn-t-even-want-to-admit-i-was-serious-about/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [Humans are social creatures that really crave intimacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/humans-are-social-creatures-that-really-crave-intimacy/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [I tend to write a pretty half and half split of, like, slow, morose things and then sort of more upbeat stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-tend-to-write-a-pretty-half-and-half-split-of-like-slow-morose/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [If you're 14 and you're skinny, you can't be on the football team, basically. It's just not even really possible. But skating is something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/if-you-re-14-and-you-re-skinny-you-can-t-be-on-the-football-team/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [I think that what's funny is that I seem to be taking up the roles that I remember my dad having - for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-think-that-what-s-funny-is-that-i-seem-to-be-taking-up-the-roles/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [One thing that I've struggled with has been a certain amount of animosity toward the whole human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/one-thing-that-i-ve-struggled-with-has-been-a-certain-amount-of/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [For some reason, it seems like pop writers, it's like they just get worse or something over time. And then you're really jealous of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/for-some-reason-it-seems-like-pop-writers-it-s-like-they-just-get/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [I think that was going on with bands like The Strokes was that the idea of the band, a real band, was making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-think-that-was-going-on-with-bands-like-the-strokes-was-that-the/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) [Explore all 63 James Mercer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You have to keep the recording process open. 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