Difficult Quote by Stephin Merritt
“Well, things hold up even if they sound dated. It can be very difficult to listen to 80s pop songs with really, really gigantic smashed drum sounds. You just want to turn that gated reverb down on the snare. It sounds wrong now. It sounds amateurish. And ugly. But at the time it sounded state-of-the-art. So yeah, I think it's important not to sound state-of-the-art in a way that anybody else is going to sound. Or you'll quickly sound like yesterday's state-of-the-art.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2015 interview with The Guardian, 2015
Trends become outdated; what was once cutting‑edge can later seem amateurish, so avoid chasing fleeting fashions.
In simple terms: Old trends look bad later; stay timeless.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize lasting quality over fleeting hype.
Themes
culture
music
technology
authenticity
timelessness
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
advice
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- Music production
- audio engineering
- personal branding
- marketing strategies
- design choices
Key Concepts
Aesthetic cycles
innovation decay
creative integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance innovation with timelessness?
- When is it okay to use retro styles?
A Different Perspective
Chasing trends can alienate audiences and limit originality.
