--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The song could start with a riff that I…" description: "\"The song could start with a riff that I base the song around. Or a chord progression or a melody I have, I just write a story about it. Lyric-wise, it'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/orianthi-4216_chords_the-song-could-start-with-a-riff-that-i_2576549.png" --- # The song could start with a riff that I base the song… ![“The song could start with a riff that I base the song around. Or a chord progression or a melody I have, I just write a story about it. Lyric-wise, it's cool to have someone else's input too.” quote by Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/orianthi-4216_chords_the-song-could-start-with-a-riff-that-i_2576549.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/orianthi-4216_chords_the-song-could-start-with-a-riff-that-i_2576549.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/289/orianthi-4216_chords_the-song-could-start-with-a-riff-that-i_2576549.png) > “The song could start with a riff that I base the song around. Or a chord progression or a melody I have, I just write a story about it. Lyric-wise, it's cool to have someone else's input too.” [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Explains songwriting as building a story around a musical idea, inviting collaborative input for richer lyrics. **In simple terms:** Storytelling starts with a musical seed. Key Takeaway Collaborate to enrich creative work. Themes music creativity collaboration storytelling process Mood enthusiastic creative Type artistic educational When to use this quote - songwriting workshops - band rehearsals - music production Key Concepts composition theory creative writing Questions to Reflect On - How does collaboration shape your music? - What role does narrative play in songwriting? A Different Perspective May underplay individual artistry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Melody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melody/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Progression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progression/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I've learned that in the theater the story is everything. Every lyric, every line and every musical gesture has to propel the journey of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-anastasio/i-ve-learned-that-in-the-theater-the-story-is-everything-every-lyric/) [Trey Anastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-anastasio/) > [You know, when I did 'American Idol' the three times, I tried to tell these kids you have to tell the story of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-manilow/you-know-when-i-did-american-idol-the-three-times-i-tried-to-tell/) [Barry Manilow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-manilow/) > [I learned to embrace my individuality, and if that meant writing a song on one chord over and over again, then that's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-orton/i-learned-to-embrace-my-individuality-and-if-that-meant-writing-a/) [Beth Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-orton/) > [My songs, they have just the one chord, there's none of that fancy stuff you hear now, with lots of chords in one song.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-kimbrough/my-songs-they-have-just-the-one-chord-there-s-none-of-that-fancy/) Junior Kimbrough > [The first thing that inspires any song is a chord progression. When I have one I really like, I get into the lyrics even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-first-thing-that-inspires-any-song-is-a-chord-progression-when-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I don't already know a song's chord progression, I'll stop writing and try to figure it out. I can occasionally listen to unstructured,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-paul-wilson/if-i-don-t-already-know-a-song-s-chord-progression-i-ll-stop-writing/) [F. Paul Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-paul-wilson/) > [When somebody brings me a record to mix, usually they feel like they can only get it so far with who they were working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-congleton/when-somebody-brings-me-a-record-to-mix-usually-they-feel-like-they/) [John Congleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-congleton/) > [And I'll know my song well before I start singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/and-i-ll-know-my-song-well-before-i-start-singing/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [It's funny when you write a song - it's easy for me now - but there's almost a second stage where you take control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/it-s-funny-when-you-write-a-song-it-s-easy-for-me-now-but-there-s/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [Anything is food for starting a song. A song can start with a lyric idea or a melody or just a sound that inspires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-goldfrapp/anything-is-food-for-starting-a-song-a-song-can-start-with-a-lyric/) [Alison Goldfrapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-goldfrapp/) > [Time crawls on when you're waiting for the song to start so dance along to the beat of your heart - The Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-crawls-on-when-you-re-waiting-for-the-song-to-start-so-dance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/life-is-one-grand-sweet-song-so-start-the-music/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Every song that I start to write, I wonder if I'll be able to write it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmylou-harris/every-song-that-i-start-to-write-i-wonder-if-i-ll-be-able-to-write-it/) [Emmylou Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmylou-harris/) > [It usually takes me 20 to 90 minutes to write a song because once I start, I don't stop. I like when it's really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halsey/it-usually-takes-me-20-to-90-minutes-to-write-a-song-because-once-i/) [Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halsey/) > [When I write a song, I always start on acoustic guitar, because that's a good test of a song, when it's really open and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gore/when-i-write-a-song-i-always-start-on-acoustic-guitar-because-that-s/) [Martin Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gore/) ## More by Orianthi > [I'm a rock/blues guitar player. I'm not wanting to be a pop star or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-m-a-rock-blues-guitar-player-i-m-not-wanting-to-be-a-pop-star-or/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [The great thing about country songs is the storytelling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/the-great-thing-about-country-songs-is-the-storytelling/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [Sometimes I write from personal experience, but so much depends on what mood I'm in. If I'm in a good mood, I'll write happier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/sometimes-i-write-from-personal-experience-but-so-much-depends-on/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [I listen to everything. My I-Pod's really diverse-from guitar instrumentals to Rascal Flatts to Usher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-listen-to-everything-my-i-pod-s-really-diverse-from-guitar/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-within-a-song-you-can-always-go/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [It's a huge honour to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/it-s-a-huge-honour-to-be-able-to-get-on-stage-and-jam-with-an-icon/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [I'm half Greek, half Australian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-m-half-greek-half-australian/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [I just love food and the art of it. There's such an art to being a good chef and the way you present food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-just-love-food-and-the-art-of-it-there-s-such-an-art-to-being-a/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [Everyone has troubles in their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/everyone-has-troubles-in-their-life/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [If somebody likes your videos, they're gonna tell their friends. They're gonna send e-mails about you, and before you know it, your name is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/if-somebody-likes-your-videos-they-re-gonna-tell-their-friends-they/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [I play a PRS Custom 22. I learned on a Custom 24. It was set for a country guitarist, so it had a really high action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-play-a-prs-custom-22-i-learned-on-a-custom-24-it-was-set-for-a/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [Music's my life, and it always has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/music-s-my-life-and-it-always-has-been/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [I'd be a chef if I wasn't a musician, that's for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-d-be-a-chef-if-i-wasn-t-a-musician-that-s-for-sure/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [I've had pigeons, doves, mice. I had a cat, dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-ve-had-pigeons-doves-mice-i-had-a-cat-dogs/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [Since I was three, music's been my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/since-i-was-three-music-s-been-my-life/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) [Explore all 114 Orianthi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) ## More Chords quotes > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [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/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please By harping in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/talk-health-the-dreary-never-changing-tale-of-mortal-maladies-is-worn/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [There's four chords in every song. That's the fun part - trying to make that your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/there-s-four-chords-in-every-song-that-s-the-fun-part-trying-to-make/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [Pete Townsend for me was a huge influence. Because essentially they were a three-piece band and the way he structured his chords and took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/pete-townsend-for-me-was-a-huge-influence-because-essentially-they/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [“Wild Horses" started in a B-minor chord, and Stu didn't play minor chords, "fucking Chinese music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/wild-horses-started-in-a-b-minor-chord-and-stu-didn-t-play-minor/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I learned to play by ear before I learned music theory. For me, that makes sense. After all, children learn to speak before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/i-learned-to-play-by-ear-before-i-learned-music-theory-for-me-that/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [My course is about really working on a sheet of music. You work out the chords, which note complements the other, and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catriona-gray/my-course-is-about-really-working-on-a-sheet-of-music-you-work-out/) [Catriona Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catriona-gray/) > [I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-don-t-write-poetry-and-then-strum-some-chords-and-then-fit-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I always think of each night as a song. Or each moment as a song. But now I'm seeing we don't live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-always-think-of-each-night-as-a-song-or-each-moment-as-a-song-but/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [I don't want to discredit people's opinions of me, but you talk about the violin or the cello or lead guitar where you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/i-don-t-want-to-discredit-people-s-opinions-of-me-but-you-talk-about/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-reeves/there-are-no-rules-or-certain-methods-i-usually-start-with-the-guitar/) [Jason Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-reeves/) > [I like really sparse electronics, lush arrangements, and interesting chord structures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-like-really-sparse-electronics-lush-arrangements-and-interesting/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) Browse all 544 Chords quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The song could start with a riff that I base the song around. Or a chord progression or a melody I have, I just write a story about it. 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