--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love…" description: "\"Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love song, or maybe a bitter weeper. So I wrote a song called, \"Cry Cry Cry,\" went back in and recorded that for th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb1/johnny-cash-1517_bitter_sam-phillips-asked-me-to-go-write-a-love_272798.jpg" --- # Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love song, or maybe a… ![“Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love song, or maybe a bitter weeper. So I wrote a song called, "Cry Cry Cry," went back in and recorded that for the other side of the record.” quote by Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb1/johnny-cash-1517_bitter_sam-phillips-asked-me-to-go-write-a-love_272798.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb1/johnny-cash-1517_bitter_sam-phillips-asked-me-to-go-write-a-love_272798.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb1/johnny-cash-1517_bitter_sam-phillips-asked-me-to-go-write-a-love_272798.jpg) > “Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love song, or maybe a bitter weeper. So I wrote a song called, "Cry Cry Cry," went back in and recorded that for the other side of the record.” [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He was tasked to write either a love or bitter song, chose a melancholy piece instead. **In simple terms:** He wrote a sad song when asked for a love or bitter one. Key Takeaway Embrace your authentic creative impulse. Themes creativity authenticity music expression Mood reflective melancholic Type artistic personal When to use this quote - recording studio - songwriting session - album production Key Concepts songwriting artistic choice Questions to Reflect On - What does authenticity mean to you? - How do you balance audience expectations? A Different Perspective May limit commercial expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter/) [Bitter Weeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter-weeper-2663165/) [Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-son/) [Love song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-song/) [Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Song Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song-called/) [Weeper Wrote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weeper-wrote-2663164/) [Went Recorded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/went-recorded-2663166/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Wrote Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrote-song/) ## Related quotes > [We went in and recorded exactly where we were at that point in time. I think because of the quality of musicianship of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/we-went-in-and-recorded-exactly-where-we-were-at-that-point-in-time-i/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [ The great thing about "Shoot 'Em Up, Baby" is that it's the first song that we went and recorded \[with Andy Kim\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-drew/the-great-thing-about-shoot-em-up-baby-is-that-it-s-the-first-song/) [Kevin Drew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drew/) > [I wrote a song called 'Four Times A Lady' for Destiny's Child, and it was perfect. But then I had to spin it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-david/i-wrote-a-song-called-four-times-a-lady-for-destiny-s-child-and-it/) [Craig David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-david/) > [The very first song I ever wrote was a song called 'Crazy' when I was 11 or 12 with my best girlfriends - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-lo/the-very-first-song-i-ever-wrote-was-a-song-called-crazy-when-i-was/) [Tove Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-lo/) > [I wrote a song called 'Pretty Little Dead Girl.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/i-wrote-a-song-called-pretty-little-dead-girl/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [I wrote my first song when I was nine, and it was called 'Notice Me'. My Mom still has the piece of paper around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/i-wrote-my-first-song-when-i-was-nine-and-it-was-called-notice-me-my/) [Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/) > [This never happens, but I was writing with my friend Ryan Hurd and Eric Arjes, and we wrote this song called 'Last Turn Home.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maren-morris/this-never-happens-but-i-was-writing-with-my-friend-ryan-hurd-and/) [Maren Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maren-morris/) > [I wrote my first song, called Spectator,' when I was 11.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananya-birla/i-wrote-my-first-song-called-spectator-when-i-was-11/) [Ananya Birla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananya-birla/) > [“When I wrote this song I felt pretty unoriginal because everybody writes love songs, and everybody feels like their love is the most important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tegan-quin/when-i-wrote-this-song-i-felt-pretty-unoriginal-because-everybody/) [Tegan Quin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tegan-quin/) > [I had a song called "Folsom Prison Blues" that was a hit just before "I Walk The Line." And the people in Texas heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-had-a-song-called-folsom-prison-blues-that-was-a-hit-just-before-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Sam Phillips responded most to a song of mine called, "Hey Porter," which was on the first record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/sam-phillips-responded-most-to-a-song-of-mine-called-hey-porter-which/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, I got on my knees and told her that I was going to marry her some day. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/backstage-at-the-grand-ole-opry-i-got-on-my-knees-and-told-her-that-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [In the Air Force, I had an old Wilcox Gay recorder, and I used to hear guitar runs on that recorder going (vocalizing) like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/in-the-air-force-i-had-an-old-wilcox-gay-recorder-and-i-used-to-hear/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [One of the songs that stayed in my head that I really considered a lot was an old folk song called 'John Brown' -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/one-of-the-songs-that-stayed-in-my-head-that-i-really-considered-a/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [The Mary J. Blige song is called 'My Life.' It's kinda like an autobiography song, stating what I'm about and what I'm trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabolous/the-mary-j-blige-song-is-called-my-life-it-s-kinda-like-an/) [Fabolous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabolous/) ## More by Johnny Cash > [I read novels but I also read the Bible. And study it, you know? And the more I learn, the more excited I get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-read-novels-but-i-also-read-the-bible-and-study-it-you-know-and-the/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [You're so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/you-re-so-heavenly-minded-you-re-no-earthly-good/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Of emotions, of love, of breakup, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/of-emotions-of-love-of-breakup-of-love-and-hate-and-death-and-dying/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Until things are brighter.. I'm the man in black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/until-things-are-brighter-i-m-the-man-in-black/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes. I'm thankful for the birds; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-m-thankful-for-a-pair-of-shoes-that-feel-really-good-on-my-feet-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I knew I wanted to sing when I was a very small boy. When I was probably 4 years old. My mother played a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-knew-i-wanted-to-sing-when-i-was-a-very-small-boy-when-i-was/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [No matter how much you've sinned, no matter how much you've stumbled, no matter how much you fall, no matter how far you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/no-matter-how-much-you-ve-sinned-no-matter-how-much-you-ve-stumbled/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [ I met Sam Phillips when he came in \[studio\] and I said, I'm John Cash. I'm the one who's been calling. And if you'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-met-sam-phillips-when-he-came-in-studio-and-i-said-i-m-john-cash-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [My mother told me to keep on singing, and that kept me working through the cotton fields. She said God has his hand on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/my-mother-told-me-to-keep-on-singing-and-that-kept-me-working-through/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I started to write the song. And I was in Gladewater, Texas, one night with Carl Perkins and I said, I've got a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-started-to-write-the-song-and-i-was-in-gladewater-texas-one-night/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Don't take voice lessons. Do it your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/don-t-take-voice-lessons-do-it-your-way/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I expect my life to end pretty soon. You know, I'm 71 years old. I have great faith, though. I have unshakable faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-expect-my-life-to-end-pretty-soon-you-know-i-m-71-years-old-i-have/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I say I'm not a singer, so that means I can't sing. But - doesn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-say-i-m-not-a-singer-so-that-means-i-can-t-sing-but-doesn-t-it/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [However, neither he nor anyone else could have become the star Elvis was. Ain't nobody like Elvis. Never was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/however-neither-he-nor-anyone-else-could-have-become-the-star-elvis/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/everybody-was-wearing-rhinestones-all-those-sparkly-clothes-and/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) [Explore all 232 Johnny Cash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## More Bitter quotes > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Troy was a sweet, good man. We just were never destined to be married. We just didn't have the same values. But I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-pleshette/troy-was-a-sweet-good-man-we-just-were-never-destined-to-be-married/) [Suzanne Pleshette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-pleshette/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [One may have been a fool, but there's no foolishness like being bitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-norris/one-may-have-been-a-fool-but-there-s-no-foolishness-like-being-bitter/) [Kathleen Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-norris/) > [“I doubt taking in a sullen, bitter, teenage girl with more issues than National Geographic is at the center of the vision board for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katja-millay/i-doubt-taking-in-a-sullen-bitter-teenage-girl-with-more-issues-than/) [Katja Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katja-millay/) > [Tireless passion, fierce jealousy, longing to possess and crush-these alone were left of all his love for Rosalind; these remained to him as payment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/tireless-passion-fierce-jealousy-longing-to-possess-and-crush-these/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Life is too bitter already, without territories and wars and noble feuds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-too-bitter-already-without-territories-and-wars-and-noble/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [With every interview you feel like you lose a piece of yourself, and with every bad review you become just that little bit more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-march/with-every-interview-you-feel-like-you-lose-a-piece-of-yourself-and/) [Jane March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-march/) > [“Without the bitter, the sweet ain’t as sweet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/without-the-bitter-the-sweet-ain-t-as-sweet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I refuse to be one of those artists who, 10 years from now, they're bitter about the rise and the fall of their career.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-bryan/i-refuse-to-be-one-of-those-artists-who-10-years-from-now-they-re/) [Luke Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-bryan/) > [“In these days in which we live, when existence has become a thing of infinite complexity and fate, if it slips us a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/in-these-days-in-which-we-live-when-existence-has-become-a-thing-of/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/if-a-sudden-jar-can-cause-me-to-speak-an-impatient-unloving-word-then/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) [Browse all 1,923 Bitter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitter/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love song, or maybe a bitter weeper. 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