--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I write whatever shows up. That's good…" description: "\"I write whatever shows up. That's good enough for me. I'm part of the first generation that wants to still do original material and not tour around as ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ef/lou-reed-1654_enough_i-write-whatever-shows-up-that-s-good-en_2433987.png" --- # I write whatever shows up. That's good enough for me. I'm… ![“I write whatever shows up. That's good enough for me. I'm part of the first generation that wants to still do original material and not tour around as an oldies act.” quote by Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ef/lou-reed-1654_enough_i-write-whatever-shows-up-that-s-good-en_2433987.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ef/lou-reed-1654_enough_i-write-whatever-shows-up-that-s-good-en_2433987.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ef/lou-reed-1654_enough_i-write-whatever-shows-up-that-s-good-en_2433987.png) > “I write whatever shows up. That's good enough for me. I'm part of the first generation that wants to still do original material and not tour around as an oldies act.” [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes spontaneous creation, valuing authenticity over polished perfection. **In simple terms:** Create authentically, accept imperfection. Key Takeaway Embrace spontaneity in art. Themes creativity authenticity imperfection Mood reflective confident Type personal artistic When to use this quote - songwriting - live performance - personal projects Key Concepts artistic expression generational shift Questions to Reflect On - How does spontaneity affect artistic quality? - What balances authenticity and polish? A Different Perspective May lack refinement or coherence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Oldies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oldies/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [You never want to have a movie be derivative, because that's the worst if you ask me. I always want to be in original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-mcdermott/you-never-want-to-have-a-movie-be-derivative-because-that-s-the-worst/) [Dylan McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-mcdermott/) > ['Your only as good as the generation you grew up in'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-worner/your-only-as-good-as-the-generation-you-grew-up-in/) Tyler Worner > [Knowing who you are is good for one generation only. You haven't the foggiest idea where you stand now or who you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/knowing-who-you-are-is-good-for-one-generation-only-you-haven-t-the/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Society' in America means all the honest, kindly-mannered, pleasant- voiced women, and all the good, brave, unassuming men, between the Atlantic and the Pacific.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/society-in-america-means-all-the-honest-kindly-mannered-pleasant/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [“Life is more than being happy; it is to impact lives and live for the good of your generation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/life-is-more-than-being-happy-it-is-to-impact-lives-and-live-for-the/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [I only like to write shows that I feel like no one has seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lopez/i-only-like-to-write-shows-that-i-feel-like-no-one-has-seen-before/) [Robert Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lopez/) > [ All of a sudden Mindy \[Kaling\] was writing on The Office and had sold a TV show. When we'd try to write shows, we'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-m-johnson/all-of-a-sudden-mindy-kaling-was-writing-on-the-office-and-had-sold-a/) [Jake M. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-m-johnson/) > [I like to write my shows coming up with the stupidest things I can think of then finding a way I can incorporate a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jinkx-monsoon/i-like-to-write-my-shows-coming-up-with-the-stupidest-things-i-can/) [Jinkx Monsoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jinkx-monsoon/) > [The way I write my shows, every character is its own organic thing. No character has a life at all until I see it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/the-way-i-write-my-shows-every-character-is-its-own-organic-thing-no/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [Everyone would like to be on Broadway, cause if a show works, you make a great deal of money and it allows you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/everyone-would-like-to-be-on-broadway-cause-if-a-show-works-you-make/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I don't write shows with dialogue where actors have to memorize dialogue. I write the scenes where we know everything that's going to happen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-david/i-don-t-write-shows-with-dialogue-where-actors-have-to-memorize/) [Larry David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-david/) > [While many of my musicals deal with big themes and ideas, I don't intentionally go looking to write shows like that. A story will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/while-many-of-my-musicals-deal-with-big-themes-and-ideas-i-don-t/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [I wish I could write about shows outside New York. I often feel like the last person to know anything, because I almost never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/i-wish-i-could-write-about-shows-outside-new-york-i-often-feel-like/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [I'm trying to focus on original material. That is what I've had my luck with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idina-menzel/i-m-trying-to-focus-on-original-material-that-is-what-i-ve-had-my/) [Idina Menzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idina-menzel/) > [The album is a definite departure. I haven't written original material before, except for one song on my first album, but Elvis and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-krall/the-album-is-a-definite-departure-i-haven-t-written-original-material/) [Diana Krall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-krall/) ## More by Lou Reed > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Perfect Night is minimalistic and that's what makes it so forceful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/perfect-night-is-minimalistic-and-that-s-what-makes-it-so-forceful/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I think life is far too short to concentrate on your past. I rather look into the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-think-life-is-far-too-short-to-concentrate-on-your-past-i-rather/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [The only thing constantly changing is change, and change is always changing for the worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/the-only-thing-constantly-changing-is-change-and-change-is-always/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [The first generation of CDs sounded terrible. Any chance to remaster would make the music sound better than what was already out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/the-first-generation-of-cds-sounded-terrible-any-chance-to-remaster/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Perfect Night has that magic and it has the raw energy that grabs you by the throat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/perfect-night-has-that-magic-and-it-has-the-raw-energy-that-grabs-you/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Eve kissed Able, that's how he got murdered by Cain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/eve-kissed-able-that-s-how-he-got-murdered-by-cain/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Music should come crashing out of your speakers and grab you, and the lyrics should challenge whatever preconceived notions that listener has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/music-should-come-crashing-out-of-your-speakers-and-grab-you-and-the/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Underachievers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose except your fright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/underachievers-of-the-world-unite-you-have-nothing-to-lose-except/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [“There's a bit of magic in everything And then some loss to even things out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/there-s-a-bit-of-magic-in-everything-and-then-some-loss-to-even/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [You've gotta blow the roof off of your heart and let the universe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/you-ve-gotta-blow-the-roof-off-of-your-heart-and-let-the-universe-in/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Sometimes, you've got to be in a place. You're just another guy. You can just blend in. I live out in the wilds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/sometimes-you-ve-got-to-be-in-a-place-you-re-just-another-guy-you-can/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [How could you even dream or think something of someone who is as uncommercial as I am?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/how-could-you-even-dream-or-think-something-of-someone-who-is-as/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [All the people have gone to war leaving no interrogator to mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/all-the-people-have-gone-to-war-leaving-no-interrogator-to-mind/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I always thought martial arts was the most modern choreography we could have right now, and I always wanted to put it to music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-always-thought-martial-arts-was-the-most-modern-choreography-we/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) [Explore all 219 Lou Reed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) ## More Enough quotes > [I guess at it's very core love is connection that just makes so much sense you wonder how you used to live before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-stone/i-guess-at-it-s-very-core-love-is-connection-that-just-makes-so-much/) [Benjamin Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-stone/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I've been lucky enough to, for the most part, surround myself with a lot of people who are more talented than me and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-franco/i-ve-been-lucky-enough-to-for-the-most-part-surround-myself-with-a/) [Dave Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-franco/) > [I love because there is not enough room in my heart to hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rena-kornreich-gelissen/i-love-because-there-is-not-enough-room-in-my-heart-to-hate/) Rena Kornreich Gelissen > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I've been to Manchester enough to know it's a real place. It's not Factory Records and the Smiths bicycling around. I get it. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/i-ve-been-to-manchester-enough-to-know-it-s-a-real-place-it-s-not/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/) [Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/) > [Sam dropped me off. When she was too far away to see me, I started to cry again. Because she was my friend again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/sam-dropped-me-off-when-she-was-too-far-away-to-see-me-i-started-to/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I don't want this to be a distraction. This has been distracting enough. I'm not going to rehash this going forward. I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [New York is large, glamorous, easy-going, kindly and incurious, but above all it is a crucible - because it is large enough to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ford-madox-ford/new-york-is-large-glamorous-easy-going-kindly-and-incurious-but-above/) [Ford Madox Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ford-madox-ford/) Browse all 23,898 Enough quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I write whatever shows up. That's good enough for me. 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