---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always try to write a song, I never…"
description: "\"I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for myself. …And I can say this, most of the peop..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg"
---

#  I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a…

![“I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for myself. …And I can say this, most of the people who have recorded my songs are songwriters themselves. ... Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it…” quote by Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg)

> “I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for myself. …And I can say this, most of the people who have recorded my songs are songwriters themselves. ... Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives it that potential. When you write a song, a song has longevity. ... So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it-only the words have been changed to declare my relationship with God. Songwriting is my gift from God.”

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Songwriting is a spiritual gift, creating lasting music that can inspire and be shared, reflecting a relationship with God.

**In simple terms:** Songwriting is a divine, lasting gift.

Key Takeaway

Write songs that inspire and endure.

Themes

creativity faith legacy

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

testimonial motivational

When to use this quote

- church services
- music production
- personal worship
- teaching songwriting

Key Concepts

spiritual inspiration artistic purpose collaboration

Questions to Reflect On

- How does faith shape your creative process?
- What makes a song timeless?

A Different Perspective

Balancing personal expression with audience expectations can be challenging.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Gift from god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift-from-god/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspirational music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-music/) [Longevity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longevity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Relationship with god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-with-god/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songwriters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriters/) [Songwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriting/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-songs/)

## Related quotes

> [Originally I was not writing songs for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/originally-i-was-not-writing-songs-for-myself/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [And I can say this, most of the people who have recorded my songs are songwriters themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/and-i-can-say-this-most-of-the-people-who-have-recorded-my-songs-are/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [There's a lot of songs and songwriters out there - you have to make something stand out to pitch songs. Sometimes you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-kurstin/there-s-a-lot-of-songs-and-songwriters-out-there-you-have-to-make/)

[Greg Kurstin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-kurstin/)

> [When I first was trying to play the clubs around Houston to start playing my own songs, songwriters like Eric Taylor and Vince Bell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyle-lovett/when-i-first-was-trying-to-play-the-clubs-around-houston-to-start/)

[Lyle Lovett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyle-lovett/)

> [So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it - only the words have been changed to declare my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/so-i-wanted-to-sing-inspirational-music-and-that-s-exactly-how-i/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [When you write a song, a song has longevity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/when-you-write-a-song-a-song-has-longevity/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Had I not come out with an inspirational CD, you perhaps would have never known that I feel like I feel, that all songs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/had-i-not-come-out-with-an-inspirational-cd-you-perhaps-would-have/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Songwriting is my gift from God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/songwriting-is-my-gift-from-god/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-just-want-to-write-a-record-2/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/even-if-i-don-t-release-it-myself-somebody-else-might-hear-it-and/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [My philosophy on writing a song for myself is that I always, always, always want to write a song. I always want to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/my-philosophy-on-writing-a-song-for-myself-is-that-i-always-always/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Man, there's no boundary line to art!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-parker/man-there-s-no-boundary-line-to-art/)

[Charlie Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-parker/)

> [When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-i-hear-music-i-fear-no-danger-i-am-invulnerable/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [If in the after life there is not music, we will have to import it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domenico-cieri/if-in-the-after-life-there-is-not-music-we-will-have-to-import-it/)

[Domenico Cieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domenico-cieri/)

> [I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-think-music-in-itself-is-healing-it-s-an-explosive-expression-of-2/)

[Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/)

## More by Smokey Robinson

> [My uncle Claude was my favorite uncle he was also my godfather. He and I were really, really close. He used to take me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/my-uncle-claude-was-my-favorite-uncle-he-was-also-my-godfather-he-and/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [People still look at Michael Jackson as being a Motown artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/people-still-look-at-michael-jackson-as-being-a-motown-artist/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [I will build you a castle with a tower so high it reaches the moon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-will-build-you-a-castle-with-a-tower-so-high-it-reaches-the-moon/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [The music business has made a 360. It's a whole 'nother game. It's not nearly what it was. And I fear for it, because,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/the-music-business-has-made-a-360-it-s-a-whole-nother-game-it-s-not/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [One thing I can say about the Motown acts is that we were a family. That's not a myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/one-thing-i-can-say-about-the-motown-acts-is-that-we-were-a-family/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [My philosophy on writing a song for myself is that I always, always, always want to write a song. I always want to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/my-philosophy-on-writing-a-song-for-myself-is-that-i-always-always/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/even-if-i-don-t-release-it-myself-somebody-else-might-hear-it-and/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [I had been stockpiling Gospel songs for other artists, and had planned to submit them to Gospel artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-had-been-stockpiling-gospel-songs-for-other-artists-and-had-planned/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Though you treat me badly, I love you madly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/though-you-treat-me-badly-i-love-you-madly/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [There's some sad things known to man, but ain't too much sadder than, the tears of a clown when noones around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/there-s-some-sad-things-known-to-man-but-ain-t-too-much-sadder-than/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [Now if I appear to be carefree it's only to camouflage my sadness. In order to keep my pride I try to cover the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/now-if-i-appear-to-be-carefree-it-s-only-to-camouflage-my-sadness-in/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [If you feel like loving me, if you've got the notion, I second that emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/if-you-feel-like-loving-me-if-you-ve-got-the-notion-i-second-that/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [The Beatles were huge. And the first thing they said when you interviewed them, 'Oh yeah, we grew up on Motown.'..They were the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/the-beatles-were-huge-and-the-first-thing-they-said-when-you/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [My mother was a churchgoing lady, so I always heard about God at home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/my-mother-was-a-churchgoing-lady-so-i-always-heard-about-god-at-home/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

> [You know what, I'm probably one of the most blessed people there's ever been, and I thank God for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/you-know-what-i-m-probably-one-of-the-most-blessed-people-there-s/)

[Smokey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

[Explore all 77 Smokey Robinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/)

## More Changed quotes

> [“You put together two things that have not been put together before. And the world is changed. People may not notice at the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/you-put-together-two-things-that-have-not-been-put-together-before/)

[Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/)

> [You made me hate my own reflection Question every choice I make So I could try to be perfect But I will try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn/you-made-me-hate-my-own-reflection-question-every-choice-i-make-so-i/)

[Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn/)

> [Everything has changed and nothing has changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-lowery/everything-has-changed-and-nothing-has-changed/)

[Joseph Lowery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-lowery/)

> [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Faith is the avenue to salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-the-avenue-to-salvation-not-intellectual-understanding-not/)

[Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/)

> [When I became Miss World, I couldn't believe I had won it. I used to sleep with my crown because I was scared someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka-chopra/when-i-became-miss-world-i-couldn-t-believe-i-had-won-it-i-used-to/)

[Priyanka Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka-chopra/)

> [As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-the-light-changed-from-red-to-green-to-yellow-and-back-to-red/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/)

[Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/)

> [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [Working with Rihanna has changed my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bibi-bourelly/working-with-rihanna-has-changed-my-life/)

[Bibi Bourelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bibi-bourelly/)

> [The international game has changed for bidding cities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ueberroth/the-international-game-has-changed-for-bidding-cities/)

[Peter Ueberroth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ueberroth/)

> [You changed my life, don't know what you're doing to me with your love. You got me feeling super human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-changed-my-life-don-t-know-what-you-re-doing-to-me-with-your-love/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm not changing because I'm part of a hit. People around me have changed in their attitude toward me, but I haven't changed. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-penny/i-m-not-changing-because-i-m-part-of-a-hit-people-around-me-have/)

[Joe Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-penny/)

> [Good people are found not changed. Recently I read a headline that said, 'We don't teach people to be nice. We simply hire nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/good-people-are-found-not-changed-recently-i-read-a-headline-that/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

Browse all 6,529 Changed quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for myself. …And I can say this, most of the people who have recorded my songs are songwriters themselves. ... Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives it that potential. When you write a song, a song has longevity. ... So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it-only the words have been changed to declare my relationship with God. Songwriting is my gift from God.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Smokey Robinson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-just-want-to-write-a-record/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Changed"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-just-want-to-write-a-record/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd4/smokey-robinson-8874_changed_i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-jus_600127.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for…” — Smokey Robinson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Smokey Robinson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smokey-robinson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I always try to write a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-just-want-to-write-a-record/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smokey-robinson/i-always-try-to-write-a-song-i-never-just-want-to-write-a-record/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
