Art Quote by Michael Kosser
“That is what diminishes the artist and his song. The artist is now hermetically sealed. The publishing company got him his deal and they expect to profit from his songs. So what if he is a better singer than a songwriter; let's put him in a room with a real songwriter. Something great is bound to come...except very often nothing great comes out of such contrived match-ups. Nobody knows where a great song comes from, and that's why so many writers credit the Lord as a co-writer (though I notice they never offer Him half the writer's royalties) when they come up with a real gem.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast discussion on music industry dynamics, 2023
The quote critiques how commercial pressures and forced collaborations can stifle authentic artistic creation, suggesting that true inspiration often comes from unstructured, personal processes rather than engineered pairings.
In simple terms: Commercial constraints can hinder genuine creativity.
Seek authentic collaboration over forced pairings.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- songwriting sessions
- record label negotiations
- artist development
- creative retreats
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists balance commercial success with authentic expression?
- What environments foster genuine creative breakthroughs?
Forced collaborations may not yield originality; market demands can dilute artistic vision.