--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As soon as I sat down to write music…" description: "\"As soon as I sat down to write music, really, with Café Blue. I just can't think about that when I sit down to write. I don't let myself. I actually do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/patricia-barber-42094_attention_as-soon-as-i-sat-down-to-write-music-rea_343313.jpg" --- # As soon as I sat down to write music, really, with Café… ![“As soon as I sat down to write music, really, with Café Blue. I just can't think about that when I sit down to write. I don't let myself. I actually don't allow myself to look at sales figures. Ever. I get the general impression that I'm not selling like Norah Jones, but I don't really pay too…” quote by Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/patricia-barber-42094_attention_as-soon-as-i-sat-down-to-write-music-rea_343313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/patricia-barber-42094_attention_as-soon-as-i-sat-down-to-write-music-rea_343313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/patricia-barber-42094_attention_as-soon-as-i-sat-down-to-write-music-rea_343313.jpg) > “As soon as I sat down to write music, really, with Café Blue. I just can't think about that when I sit down to write. I don't let myself. I actually don't allow myself to look at sales figures. Ever. I get the general impression that I'm not selling like Norah Jones, but I don't really pay too much attention, because I think it would corrupt me.” [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She avoids focusing on sales numbers while creating music, fearing it would taint her artistic integrity. **In simple terms:** She blocks sales data to protect creativity. Key Takeaway Ignore commercial metrics to stay authentic. Themes creativity integrity artistic focus Mood focused determined reflective Type advice personal philosophy. When to use this quote - songwriting sessions - studio work - personal artistic decisions - marketing strategy - creative retreats Key Concepts self‑regulation psychology of art authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does ignoring sales data affect your creative process? - Can you balance artistic integrity with practical livelihood needs? A Different Perspective Commercial pressure can still influence subconscious choices despite conscious avoidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Impression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impression/) [Like Norah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-norah-3186101/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Norah Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/norah-jones-487967/) [Sat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sat/) [Selling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selling/) [Selling Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selling-like-2142883/) [Sit Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit-write/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Write Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-music/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [But once you strip that down, you realize it's all about a voice, like a Norah Jones - that's inspiring to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-once-you-strip-that-down-you-realize-it-s-all-about-a-voice-like/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Nobody's ever tried the peace thing, ... We are selling it like soap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/nobody-s-ever-tried-the-peace-thing-we-are-selling-it-like-soap/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [“Writing a novel is like running a marathon. Selling one is like building a castle. You gotta do it one brick at a time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-hall/writing-a-novel-is-like-running-a-marathon-selling-one-is-like/) [Charles R. Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-hall/) > [Posing on the red carpet feels like you're selling something that has nothing to do with you. If you do it with someone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-mulligan/posing-on-the-red-carpet-feels-like-you-re-selling-something-that-has/) [Carey Mulligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-mulligan/) > [I guess if one set of my books was selling like Stephen King's, and the other wasn't selling at all, editors would want me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-saberhagen/i-guess-if-one-set-of-my-books-was-selling-like-stephen-king-s-and/) [Fred Saberhagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-saberhagen/) > [I'll always understand the Schadenfreude aspect to short-selling. I get that no one will always like it. I'm also convinced to the deepest part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-chanos/i-ll-always-understand-the-schadenfreude-aspect-to-short-selling-i/) [James Chanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-chanos/) > [Any time I sit down and write music, the first part of that is always centering myself and thinking about who I currently am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/any-time-i-sit-down-and-write-music-the-first-part-of-that-is-always/) [Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/) > [“The dreamy guy at this Starbucks wasn't working the counter. Instead he was working a broom behind it, smiling as he swept. At first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/the-dreamy-guy-at-this-starbucks-wasn-t-working-the-counter-instead/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [If you look at my career, doing albums with Norah Jones, Justin Timberlake, Gucci Mane and Lil Wayne or KRS-One and Jean Grae, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/if-you-look-at-my-career-doing-albums-with-norah-jones-justin/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [Until rock 'n roll changes a little bit its done. Like umm, what's her name ...Norah Jones has some good shit there. People need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/3-doors-down/until-rock-n-roll-changes-a-little-bit-its-done-like-umm-what-s-her/) [3 Doors Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/3-doors-down/) > [I'm obsessed with Norah Jones and Amy Winehouse, Etta James. I'm really into blues and R&B type of stuff, '90s hip-hop; that's my jam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-lourd/i-m-obsessed-with-norah-jones-and-amy-winehouse-etta-james-i-m-really/) [Billie Lourd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-lourd/) > [Norah Jones is a breath of fresh air. Norah Jones can sing and play. She's got some talent. I was totally ecstatic that that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crosby/norah-jones-is-a-breath-of-fresh-air-norah-jones-can-sing-and-play/) [David Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crosby/) > [I really love Norah Jones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-manzo/i-really-love-norah-jones/) [Caroline Manzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-manzo/) > [I have to say, I'm sort of always obsessed with Norah Jones. I just love her voice, but I don't really have an album…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-dubrow/i-have-to-say-i-m-sort-of-always-obsessed-with-norah-jones-i-just/) [Heather Dubrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-dubrow/) > [What is Norah Jones' style? Is it just the albums that we've heard? She has a rock group where she plays guitar in, downtown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/what-is-norah-jones-style-is-it-just-the-albums-that-we-ve-heard-she/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) ## More by Patricia Barber > [I must say, I don't think there's any more challenging music out there in jazz than what we're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/i-must-say-i-don-t-think-there-s-any-more-challenging-music-out-there/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [Something special can happen late at night in a jazz club. As the crowd thins, the musicians intuitively sense that those few who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/something-special-can-happen-late-at-night-in-a-jazz-club-as-the/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [All music now, I think, is fair game for jazz musicians to interpret, and they have been. I would consider those songs standards now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/all-music-now-i-think-is-fair-game-for-jazz-musicians-to-interpret/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [I have a good life. I have nothing to complain about, and the music is just too interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/i-have-a-good-life-i-have-nothing-to-complain-about-and-the-music-is/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [I think I started to come into my own when I started doing more original material, and that, I think, culminated in 1998's Modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/i-think-i-started-to-come-into-my-own-when-i-started-doing-more/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [Music chooses her musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/music-chooses-her-musicians/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [Jon Deitemyer is the drummer everyone wants right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/jon-deitemyer-is-the-drummer-everyone-wants-right-now/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [I would like to have people hear dissonance, but I don't want it to be so off-putting that they never get there to begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/i-would-like-to-have-people-hear-dissonance-but-i-don-t-want-it-to-be/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) > [I am a fan of the compositions of The Beatles, but I don't care for their interpretation of them. But as compositions, I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-barber/i-am-a-fan-of-the-compositions-of-the-beatles-but-i-don-t-care-for/) [Patricia Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) [Explore all 10 Patricia Barber quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-barber/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [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/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As soon as I sat down to write music, really, with Café Blue. 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