--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know exactly where the ideas come…" description: "\"I don't know exactly where the ideas come from, but when I get into a songwriting mode and it's coming along, it's like you're on the front end of a bo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/robert-earl-keen-39608_boat_i-don-t-know-exactly-where-the-ideas-com_2904049.png" --- # I don't know exactly where the ideas come from, but when I… ![“I don't know exactly where the ideas come from, but when I get into a songwriting mode and it's coming along, it's like you're on the front end of a boat and you're going through the water, and the breeze is blowing through your hair and the water's smooth, and you're going out to sea. I love that…” quote by Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/robert-earl-keen-39608_boat_i-don-t-know-exactly-where-the-ideas-com_2904049.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/robert-earl-keen-39608_boat_i-don-t-know-exactly-where-the-ideas-com_2904049.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/robert-earl-keen-39608_boat_i-don-t-know-exactly-where-the-ideas-com_2904049.png) > “I don't know exactly where the ideas come from, but when I get into a songwriting mode and it's coming along, it's like you're on the front end of a boat and you're going through the water, and the breeze is blowing through your hair and the water's smooth, and you're going out to sea. I love that feeling.” [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative inspiration feels like gliding on smooth water, guided by natural flow and sensory experience, making the process joyful. **In simple terms:** Songwriting feels like sailing on calm water. Key Takeaway Embrace flow state in creative work. Themes creativity flow inspiration Mood inspirational reflective Type artistic psychological When to use this quote - music composition - writing - visual arts Key Concepts artistic process mindfulness sensory awareness Questions to Reflect On - When do you feel most in flow? - How can you recreate that feeling? A Different Perspective Creative flow can be disrupted by pressure or distraction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breeze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breeze/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriting/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I do more writing by myself than with anybody else. My best thing is sitting...around somewhere with a guitar, and having an idea. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-daniels/i-do-more-writing-by-myself-than-with-anybody-else-my-best-thing-is/) [Charlie Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-daniels/) > [The gospel is for lifeboats, not showboats, and a man must make up his mind which boat he is going to operate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-gospel-is-for-lifeboats-not-showboats-and-a-man-must-make-up-his/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [The biggest danger in sailing is not the open ocean. It's hitting things. So if I have a thousand miles between me and land,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-moffitt/the-biggest-danger-in-sailing-is-not-the-open-ocean-it-s-hitting/) [John Moffitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-moffitt/) > [ \[Writing\] is edit, edit, edit. It's almost like getting a boat ready to go to sea. You've still got a countless number of things… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/writing-is-edit-edit-edit-it-s-almost-like-getting-a-boat-ready-to-go/) [Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/) > [I have my own boat, but when I first thought about taking a cruise, I thought, 'You're going to trap me on a boat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-fieri/i-have-my-own-boat-but-when-i-first-thought-about-taking-a-cruise-i/) [Guy Fieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-fieri/) > [Reaction - a boat which is going against the current but which does not prevent the river from flowing on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/reaction-a-boat-which-is-going-against-the-current-but-which-does-not/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [We're all in the same boat and we all are going to catch the same hell from the same man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/we-re-all-in-the-same-boat-and-we-all-are-going-to-catch-the-same/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“At least there is no chance of a storm on a river,” she murmured, smiling at him. “Unless we make one!” Cordon declared and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-lewis-baillot/at-least-there-is-no-chance-of-a-storm-on-a-river-she-murmured/) [Jack Lewis Baillot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-lewis-baillot/) > [I love being a woman. You can cry. You get to wear pants now. If you're on a boat and it's going to sink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilda-radner/i-love-being-a-woman-you-can-cry-you-get-to-wear-pants-now-if-you-re/) [Gilda Radner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilda-radner/) > [People sometimes actually get me to think I take things too seriously and maybe I'm too earnest and it's coming across like I'm better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/people-sometimes-actually-get-me-to-think-i-take-things-too-seriously/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [I would tell new artists to be themselves. Show your talents first, have your own identity, don't try to be Lady Saw. If you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-saw/i-would-tell-new-artists-to-be-themselves-show-your-talents-first/) [Lady Saw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-saw/) > [Tel Aviv, Israel, me, Robbie Williams. I'm coming to see you. It's like a first date. I've got butterflies in my stomache, I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/tel-aviv-israel-me-robbie-williams-i-m-coming-to-see-you-it-s-like-a/) [Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/) > [He'll be coming back and back and back, like a chronicle rash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-bunker/he-ll-be-coming-back-and-back-and-back-like-a-chronicle-rash/) [Archie Bunker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-bunker/) > [“Anyway, I guess I should have seen it coming. It’s like every time things start to look okay in my crazy life, something always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/anyway-i-guess-i-should-have-seen-it-coming-it-s-like-every-time/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [I get so many people coming up to me being like, Aahhh! And I'm like, what the hell? I'm just me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorja-smith/i-get-so-many-people-coming-up-to-me-being-like-aahhh-and-i-m-like/) [Jorja Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorja-smith/) ## More by Robert Earl Keen > [A man can’t have too many guitars or too many shotguns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/a-man-can-t-have-too-many-guitars-or-too-many-shotguns/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [The road goes on forever and the party never ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/the-road-goes-on-forever-and-the-party-never-ends/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [I passed out in our front yard. But honey, don't turn out the light, cause I think I'm in the mood for love tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/i-passed-out-in-our-front-yard-but-honey-don-t-turn-out-the-light/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [The way I see it, there are just 2 ways to go, livin' fast or dyin' slow! Which way you gonna go?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/the-way-i-see-it-there-are-just-2-ways-to-go-livin-fast-or-dyin-slow/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [I am guilty of a dreadful selfish crime. I have robbed myself of all my precious time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/i-am-guilty-of-a-dreadful-selfish-crime-i-have-robbed-myself-of-all/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [And I thought to myself, 'I haven't had a Schlitz since the third grade!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/and-i-thought-to-myself-i-haven-t-had-a-schlitz-since-the-third-grade/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [I went to the movies with my little Peggy Sue, I had a dip there in my lip just like I always do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/i-went-to-the-movies-with-my-little-peggy-sue-i-had-a-dip-there-in-my/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [“are roads go on forever and are party never ends”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/are-roads-go-on-forever-and-are-party-never-ends/) [robert earl keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [I've known a whole lot of bulls in my time, and their work is never done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/i-ve-known-a-whole-lot-of-bulls-in-my-time-and-their-work-is-never/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) > [It must have been the summer of 1967, the Beatles were singing love is all you need. I held her hand as we walked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-earl-keen/it-must-have-been-the-summer-of-1967-the-beatles-were-singing-love-is/) [Robert Earl Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) [Explore all 11 Robert Earl Keen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-earl-keen/) ## More Boat quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Fly-fishing for wild trout on quiet waters must be one of the toughest and craziest ways to catch fish ever invented by man, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-voelker/fly-fishing-for-wild-trout-on-quiet-waters-must-be-one-of-the/) [John D. Voelker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-voelker/) > [It was just the sort of yatch you'd expect a rock promoter to have. Mirrored ceilings, marble, Jacuzzis and leopard-skin everything, it made the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-anderson/it-was-just-the-sort-of-yatch-you-d-expect-a-rock-promoter-to-have/) [Pamela Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-anderson/) > [It's a hindrance in trying to get a serious acting role. The minute a producer has a script and my name comes up, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbi-benton/it-s-a-hindrance-in-trying-to-get-a-serious-acting-role-the-minute-a/) [Barbi Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbi-benton/) > [Something I like to do a lot is just sit by water when there’s a current and just stare into the water. I don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/something-i-like-to-do-a-lot-is-just-sit-by-water-when-there-s-a/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [The trouble is, you can't properly present something you don't believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mcguane/the-trouble-is-you-can-t-properly-present-something-you-don-t-believe/) [Thomas McGuane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mcguane/) > [You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/you-know-how-this-is-if-i-look-at-the-crystal-moon-at-the-red-branch/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [A film is a boat which is always on the point of sinking-it always tends to break up as you go along and drag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-truffaut/a-film-is-a-boat-which-is-always-on-the-point-of-sinking-it-always/) [Francois Truffaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-truffaut/) > [I took one guitar lesson, and they wanted me to play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' or 'Michael Row the Boat Ashore,' and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-took-one-guitar-lesson-and-they-wanted-me-to-play-mary-had-a-little/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [I was 35 years old and in a position to take a shot at whatever I wanted to try. The Air Force said I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-doyle/i-was-35-years-old-and-in-a-position-to-take-a-shot-at-whatever-i/) [Jerry Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-doyle/) > [We wanted a musical number that would capture the exhilaration of being out on a boat as they were and sailing with the stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-musker/we-wanted-a-musical-number-that-would-capture-the-exhilaration-of/) [John Musker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-musker/) > [I thought I would try my hand at sailing. It was too small and kept sinking, so I decided to try a boat instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-jolly/i-thought-i-would-try-my-hand-at-sailing-it-was-too-small-and-kept/) [Arthur M. Jolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-jolly/) > [I once went down the Amazon and our boat got charged by Columbian policemen with guns and we all had to get on motorbikes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-skelton/i-once-went-down-the-amazon-and-our-boat-got-charged-by-columbian/) [Helen Skelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-skelton/) > [Most of the world is covered by water. A fisherman's job is simple: Pick out the best parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-w-waterman/most-of-the-world-is-covered-by-water-a-fisherman-s-job-is-simple/) Charles W. Waterman Browse all 1,788 Boat quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't know exactly where the ideas come from, but when I get into a songwriting mode and it's coming along, it's like you're on the front end of a boat and you're going through the water, and the breeze is blowing through your hair and the water's smooth, and you're going out to sea. 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