--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like songs that are part of a dramatic…" description: "\"I like songs that are part of a dramatic texture, and therefore I like the scenes to be active. I wanna follow the story and that means you lean on the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg" --- # I like songs that are part of a dramatic texture, and… ![“I like songs that are part of a dramatic texture, and therefore I like the scenes to be active. I wanna follow the story and that means you lean on the actors.” quote by Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg) > “I like songs that are part of a dramatic texture, and therefore I like the scenes to be active. I wanna follow the story and that means you lean on the actors.” [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The composer values songs that enhance dramatic texture, urging actors to actively embody the story rather than merely perform. **In simple terms:** Songs should drive drama, actors must be active. Key Takeaway Use music to deepen story, stay engaged. Themes music drama acting storytelling creativity theatre Mood thoughtful artistic Type theatrical educational When to use this quote - stage direction - musical composition - acting workshops - script analysis Key Concepts dramatic structure musical narrative actor immersion Questions to Reflect On - How can actors balance activity with subtlety? - What role does silence play in dramatic texture? A Different Perspective Focusing too much on activity may neglect subtle emotional nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Dramatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dramatic/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [No, I don't think I would call myself a theater kid necessarily, who just starts whooping out ballads and songs. I'm more dramatic like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-elordi/no-i-don-t-think-i-would-call-myself-a-theater-kid-necessarily-who/) [Jacob Elordi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-elordi/) > [I'm beginning to think that I like the behind-the-scenes work as much as I do in front of the camera as I get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-m-beginning-to-think-that-i-like-the-behind-the-scenes-work-as-much/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [ I'm not method or anything like that, but sometimes you get the scenes and you're like 'Really, Damon \[Lindelof\]? More of this? Can I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-theroux/i-m-not-method-or-anything-like-that-but-sometimes-you-get-the-scenes/) [Justin Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-theroux/) > [I would love to do different things, like behind-the-scenes work - just like Ron Howard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-burke/i-would-love-to-do-different-things-like-behind-the-scenes-work-just/) [Chris Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-burke/) > [“I adore simple pleasures,” said Lord Henry. “They are the last refuge of the complex. But I don’t like scenes, except on the stage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-adore-simple-pleasures-said-lord-henry-they-are-the-last-refuge-of/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [If it's not in New York, let's say it's in St. Louis, then they've got to find a place or get with someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/if-it-s-not-in-new-york-let-s-say-it-s-in-st-louis-then-they-ve-got/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [I feel like my music is just an extension of my acting. I treat the songs like scenes that tell a story... it's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grey-delisle/i-feel-like-my-music-is-just-an-extension-of-my-acting-i-treat-the-2/) [Grey DeLisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grey-delisle/) > [I don't like when songs are distinctly happy or sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-g/i-don-t-like-when-songs-are-distinctly-happy-or-sad/) [Alex G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-g/) > [Everything needs to be catchy because a listener is either going to stay with the song or lose interest in the first five seconds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-blanco/everything-needs-to-be-catchy-because-a-listener-is-either-going-to/) [Benny Blanco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-blanco/) > ['Dance Macabre' feels like one of those songs that you want to play forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-forge/dance-macabre-feels-like-one-of-those-songs-that-you-want-to-play/) [Tobias Forge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-forge/) > [I think you want to write a song that's like the songs you are into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-finn/i-think-you-want-to-write-a-song-that-s-like-the-songs-you-are-into/) [Craig Finn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-finn/) > [I like songs. It's a weakness that I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mani-ratnam/i-like-songs-it-s-a-weakness-that-i-have/) [Mani Ratnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mani-ratnam/) > [I've got a few reasons why I've got to maintain stability. I've got into wanting people to hear my music. I've got something I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sly-stone/i-ve-got-a-few-reasons-why-i-ve-got-to-maintain-stability-i-ve-got/) [Sly Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sly-stone/) > [Some people don't like my songs because they think they're too simple or easy or not that thought-out. I feel like the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langhorne-slim/some-people-don-t-like-my-songs-because-they-think-they-re-too-simple/) [Langhorne Slim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langhorne-slim/) > [I especially like the songs Hurry Up and The Curse Of Castle Dragon, and I often include them in my live show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/i-especially-like-the-songs-hurry-up-and-the-curse-of-castle-dragon/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) ## More by Stephen Sondheim > [I have, by nature, an analytical mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-have-by-nature-an-analytical-mind/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“They all deserve to die. Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why. Because in all of the whole human race Mrs Lovett, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/they-all-deserve-to-die-tell-you-why-mrs-lovett-tell-you-why-because/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [It's not so hard to be married, I've done it three or four times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/it-s-not-so-hard-to-be-married-i-ve-done-it-three-or-four-times/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I don't find my life that interesting. The shows, maybe. But not me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-don-t-find-my-life-that-interesting-the-shows-maybe-but-not-me/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“Careful the things you say, Children will listen. Careful the things you do, Children will see. And learn. Children may not obey But children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/careful-the-things-you-say-children-will-listen-careful-the-things/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“Because in all of the whole human race Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two There's the one staying put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/because-in-all-of-the-whole-human-race-mrs-lovett-there-are-two-kinds/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I love computers. I love writing on them. I love gadgetry. The thing is: I am a slow reader. So, if I am going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-love-computers-i-love-writing-on-them-i-love-gadgetry-the-thing-is/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I have inherited my father's sense of humour about myself. It's a lot more pleasant to make fun of yourself than when someone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-have-inherited-my-father-s-sense-of-humour-about-myself-it-s-a-lot/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-prefer-neurotic-people-i-like-to-hear-rumblings-beneath-the-surface/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I'm sure many writers have these strange, tiny little habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-m-sure-many-writers-have-these-strange-tiny-little-habits/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and create a suspension of disbelief, by which I mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/musicals-are-by-nature-theatrical-meaning-poetic-meaning-having-to/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Nowadays, there are sometimes more producers than there are people in the cast, because it takes that much money to put a show on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/nowadays-there-are-sometimes-more-producers-than-there-are-people-in/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/perpetual-anticipation-is-good-for-the-soul-but-it-s-bad-for-the-heart/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I was watching him crawl, Back over the wall-! Then bang! Crash! And the lightning flash! And- well, that's another story, Never mind- Anyway...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-was-watching-him-crawl-back-over-the-wall-then-bang-crash-and-the/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [I'm always conscious of what I'm writing, conscious of what the actor may ask me. I have a defense for nearly every line in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-m-always-conscious-of-what-i-m-writing-conscious-of-what-the-actor/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) [Explore all 228 Stephen Sondheim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) ## More Active quotes > [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [We in US need active intelligence: people being on the streets, people being able to stop and ask questions of individuals that they suspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/we-in-us-need-active-intelligence-people-being-on-the-streets-people/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I eat healthy most of the time. Whole foods are the best for you when you are super active, so I get plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witney-carson/i-eat-healthy-most-of-the-time-whole-foods-are-the-best-for-you-when/) [Witney Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witney-carson/) > [Art shows us how to see things that are constructive and good, and to be an active part of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/art-shows-us-how-to-see-things-that-are-constructive-and-good-and-to/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Love, like truth and beauty, is concrete. Love is not fundamentally a sweet feeling; not, at heart, a matter of sentiment, attachment, or being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carter-heyward/love-like-truth-and-beauty-is-concrete-love-is-not-fundamentally-a/) [Carter Heyward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carter-heyward/) > [Studying Sol's interior by looking for analogous patterns on its incandescent face is known as helioseismology, an active - if largely unpronounceable - research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/studying-sol-s-interior-by-looking-for-analogous-patterns-on-its/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Science manipulates things and gives up living in them. It makes its own limited models of things; operating upon these indices or variables to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/science-manipulates-things-and-gives-up-living-in-them-it-makes-its/) [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) > [I stayed in L.A. long enough to get on my feet, and then I moved back to New York. The reason I moved here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/i-stayed-in-l-a-long-enough-to-get-on-my-feet-and-then-i-moved-back/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [The answer to any challenge you are having has nothing to do with God's willingness to help. It has to do with your acceptance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/the-answer-to-any-challenge-you-are-having-has-nothing-to-do-with-god/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [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/) > [There is an enemy. There is an intelligent, active, malign force working against us. Step one is to recognize this. This recognition alone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/there-is-an-enemy-there-is-an-intelligent-active-malign-force-working/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Few, if any, creatures are equally active all night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/few-if-any-creatures-are-equally-active-all-night/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [You need to enjoy yourself and just get into the routine of keeping fit and enjoying being active. That's always easier once you've made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-brownlee/you-need-to-enjoy-yourself-and-just-get-into-the-routine-of-keeping/) [Alistair Brownlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-brownlee/) Browse all 2,212 Active quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like songs that are part of a dramatic texture, and therefore I like the scenes to be active. I wanna follow the story and that means you lean on the actors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Sondheim" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic-texture-and-therefore-i-like/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Active" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic-texture-and-therefore-i-like/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/stephen-sondheim-1556_active_i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic_3151643.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I like songs that are part of a dramatic texture, and therefore I like the scenes to be active. I wanna…” — Stephen Sondheim", "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": "Stephen Sondheim", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I like songs that are part...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic-texture-and-therefore-i-like/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-like-songs-that-are-part-of-a-dramatic-texture-and-therefore-i-like/#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 } } ] } ```