--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first started writing songs, I did…" description: "\"When I first started writing songs, I did play with my fingers, and I had these kind of weird strums. There's, like, three or four strumming patterns t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/lou-barlow-5318_kind_when-i-first-started-writing-songs-i-did_2319155.jpg" --- # When I first started writing songs, I did play with my… ![“When I first started writing songs, I did play with my fingers, and I had these kind of weird strums. There's, like, three or four strumming patterns that seemed kind of unique to me.” quote by Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/lou-barlow-5318_kind_when-i-first-started-writing-songs-i-did_2319155.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/lou-barlow-5318_kind_when-i-first-started-writing-songs-i-did_2319155.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/lou-barlow-5318_kind_when-i-first-started-writing-songs-i-did_2319155.jpg) > “When I first started writing songs, I did play with my fingers, and I had these kind of weird strums. There's, like, three or four strumming patterns that seemed kind of unique to me.” [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects an artist’s early experimental phase, discovering unique guitar patterns that felt personal and distinctive. **In simple terms:** Early songwriting involves experimenting with personal sounds. Key Takeaway Embrace experimentation in creative work. Themes creativity music exploration personal style growth Mood introspective inspirational musical Type artistic process musical development When to use this quote - songwriting - instrument practice - studio sessions - live performance Key Concepts music theory artistic development innovation Questions to Reflect On - What personal quirks define your creative voice? - How can you evolve beyond early signatures? A Different Perspective Unique patterns may later become cliché if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Strumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strumming/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-songs/) ## Related quotes > [Playing an unamplified electric guitar is like strumming on a picnic table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/playing-an-unamplified-electric-guitar-is-like-strumming-on-a-picnic/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Id be happiest standing at the back, strumming my little banjo where no one could see me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-grint/id-be-happiest-standing-at-the-back-strumming-my-little-banjo-where/) [Rupert Grint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-grint/) > [If I let my fingers wander idly over the keys of a typewriter it might happen that my screed made an intelligible sentence. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/if-i-let-my-fingers-wander-idly-over-the-keys-of-a-typewriter-it/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Strumming my pain with his fingers, singing my life with his words, killing me softly with his song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberta-flack/strumming-my-pain-with-his-fingers-singing-my-life-with-his-words-2/) [Roberta Flack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberta-flack/) > [I really wanted to get that dynamic on the record onto people and let them know it wasn't just a simple strumming along the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-vincent-mcmorrow/i-really-wanted-to-get-that-dynamic-on-the-record-onto-people-and-let/) [James Vincent McMorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-vincent-mcmorrow/) > [I don't really break into too many solos. But I've never been a super-big solo guy anyway. I like to make the main melody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-tremonti/i-don-t-really-break-into-too-many-solos-but-i-ve-never-been-a-super/) Mark Tremonti > [Strumming my pain with his fingers. Singing my life with his words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberta-flack/strumming-my-pain-with-his-fingers-singing-my-life-with-his-words/) [Roberta Flack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberta-flack/) > [The audience keeps singing, keeps making my case, and I just keep strumming until I get close enough to see her eyes. And then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/the-audience-keeps-singing-keeps-making-my-case-and-i-just-keep/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [I would get records by Earl Scruggs... I would tune my banjo down and I'd pick out the songs note by note. Learned how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-would-get-records-by-earl-scruggs-i-would-tune-my-banjo-down-and-i/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“Chris was in the rocker, fully clothed, and was strumming idly on Cory's guitar. "Dance, ballerina, dance," he softly chanted, and his singing voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-c-andrews/chris-was-in-the-rocker-fully-clothed-and-was-strumming-idly-on-cory/) [V.C. Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-c-andrews/) > [I started doing up-and-down strumming, basically to keep time and to play fast. As time went on, I started realizing other guitar players couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-ramone/i-started-doing-up-and-down-strumming-basically-to-keep-time-and-to/) [Johnny Ramone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-ramone/) > [“In-Between the strumming of the strings... a Life is Lived and Ends... Play your music well, It's All you have to Give”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-marc/in-between-the-strumming-of-the-strings-a-life-is-lived-and-ends-play/) [Dr. Marc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-marc/) > [I'm more of a strumming guitarist, instead of a lead soloist guitarist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stark-sands/i-m-more-of-a-strumming-guitarist-instead-of-a-lead-soloist-guitarist/) [Stark Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stark-sands/) > [“Strumming a ukulele just right can make you sound like a pro, even if you only know one chord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-villanueva/strumming-a-ukulele-just-right-can-make-you-sound-like-a-pro-even-if/) Wilson Villanueva > [I decide I'm not dead because I can hear the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the car. I'm alive because I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-genova/i-decide-i-m-not-dead-because-i-can-hear-the-sound-of-the-rain/) [Lisa Genova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-genova/) ## More by Lou Barlow > ['Brace the Wave' is an acoustic-electric record recorded with electricity on analog-digital and digitally-analog equipment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/brace-the-wave-is-an-acoustic-electric-record-recorded-with/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I enjoy Dinosaur for what it is. It's a unique band that has a unique chemistry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-enjoy-dinosaur-for-what-it-is-it-s-a-unique-band-that-has-a-unique/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I look forward to so many things about going to Japan. The shows are early. It's great! They're really early, so it helps make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-look-forward-to-so-many-things-about-going-to-japan-the-shows-are/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I think musicians naturally gravitate toward music that sounds real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-think-musicians-naturally-gravitate-toward-music-that-sounds-real/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > ['One Part Lullaby.' It was our big major-label record. People reference it quite a bit, but it did absolutely nothing. It's like the 'Kids'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/one-part-lullaby-it-was-our-big-major-label-record-people-reference/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Early on, I really liked the idea of being confrontational. I loved the idea of making songs that made people really uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/early-on-i-really-liked-the-idea-of-being-confrontational-i-loved-the/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I've put out a lot of stuff that just confused and alienated people: a huge chunk of songs that were verbal and musical challenges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-ve-put-out-a-lot-of-stuff-that-just-confused-and-alienated-people-a/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I went back and reread the Dinosaur chapter in 'Our Band Could Be Your Life,' and it was so depressing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-went-back-and-reread-the-dinosaur-chapter-in-our-band-could-be-your/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [There are very few songs I really hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/there-are-very-few-songs-i-really-hate/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Music doesn't always bring me to tears; if I hear 'Love' by John Lennon at a vulnerable moment, it will bring me to tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/music-doesn-t-always-bring-me-to-tears-if-i-hear-love-by-john-lennon/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I'm fully aware, I've gotten terrible reviews my entire career. It's not a really big deal; it's something I can deal with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-m-fully-aware-i-ve-gotten-terrible-reviews-my-entire-career-it-s/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I really don't have a method. I gravitate towards the organic/acoustic, but I still often complete songs musically before attempting to find the lyric.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-really-don-t-have-a-method-i-gravitate-towards-the-organic-acoustic/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Young bands are so angry. There are young bands that are so incredibly successful, getting incredible reviews, and they are totally angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/young-bands-are-so-angry-there-are-young-bands-that-are-so-incredibly/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [I always felt weird. I don't feel particularly likeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-always-felt-weird-i-don-t-feel-particularly-likeable/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) [Explore all 101 Lou Barlow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) ## More Kind quotes > [Money is the kind of instrument which is very speedily produced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/money-is-the-kind-of-instrument-which-is-very-speedily-produced/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-on-slumdog-millionaire-we-have/) [A. R. 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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/) > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [You're getting into some kind of shape, cop." Aw, come on, now." Butch grinned. "Don't let that shower we took go to your head."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/you-re-getting-into-some-kind-of-shape-cop-aw-come-on-now-butch/) [J.R. 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