Attention Quote by Kurt Elling
“There is an actor's responsibility in presenting the emotional content of the lyrics to an audience. But whether you do that in a straightforward fashion or an ironic fashion or a blase fashion is all about opportunities, and singers are missing opportunities as artists if they don't pay attention to the lyric.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Jazz Vocalist on Lyric Interpretation, 2015
Artists must convey a song’s emotion, choosing a delivery style that matches opportunities; neglecting lyric focus loses artistic depth.
In simple terms: Singers need to match emotion with style, paying close attention to lyrics.
Key Takeaway
Listen closely to lyrics, choose appropriate delivery.
Themes
artistic responsibility
emotional expression
interpretation
opportunity
Mood
reflective
creative
Type
musical
educational
When to use this quote
- live performance
- studio recording
- songwriting workshops
Key Concepts
musicality
communication
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your vocal style shape audience perception?
- When might irony enhance a lyric’s impact?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on style can obscure lyric meaning.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
