--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What gets people into trouble with…" description: "\"What gets people into trouble with records now is that they want to build something up without substantial musical ideas. Without that as a foundation,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/walter-becker-8870_foundation_what-gets-people-into-trouble-with-recor_3075623.jpg" --- # What gets people into trouble with records now is that… ![“What gets people into trouble with records now is that they want to build something up without substantial musical ideas. Without that as a foundation, you can add all the layers of sound you want - it's still going to sound like a mess.” quote by Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/walter-becker-8870_foundation_what-gets-people-into-trouble-with-recor_3075623.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/walter-becker-8870_foundation_what-gets-people-into-trouble-with-recor_3075623.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/walter-becker-8870_foundation_what-gets-people-into-trouble-with-recor_3075623.jpg) > “What gets people into trouble with records now is that they want to build something up without substantial musical ideas. Without that as a foundation, you can add all the layers of sound you want - it's still going to sound like a mess.” [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that building music without solid ideas leads to messy results, emphasizing the need for strong foundations. **In simple terms:** Good ideas are essential before adding layers. Key Takeaway Start with strong musical concepts. Themes creativity music production quality foundations Mood analytical critical Type advisory cautionary When to use this quote - songwriting - album creation - studio sessions - collaborations Key Concepts musical ideas arrangement sound design Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance ideas and experimentation? - When is layering beneficial without a clear foundation? A Different Perspective It may undervalue experimental layering that can inspire ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Going Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-sound-2426984/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musical Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical-ideas-645074/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Records Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records-want-693221/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Sound Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound-want-485342/) [Trouble Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble-records-3267215/) ## Related quotes > [The trouble with records is that they're too short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahalia-jackson/the-trouble-with-records-is-that-they-re-too-short/) [Mahalia Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahalia-jackson/) > [People get tired of the same old sound. They want something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chamillionaire/people-get-tired-of-the-same-old-sound-they-want-something-new/) [Chamillionaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chamillionaire/) > [“Music is any sound you want to go on and on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/music-is-any-sound-you-want-to-go-on-and-on/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [If it was up to me, we would eliminate close-ups and beautiful light and sound - because we want to go back to basics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pilou-asbaek/if-it-was-up-to-me-we-would-eliminate-close-ups-and-beautiful-light/) [Pilou Asbaek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pilou-asbaek/) > [Once you have an established song, you can really come out of your shell and experiment with the sound you want to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/post-malone/once-you-have-an-established-song-you-can-really-come-out-of-your/) [Post Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/post-malone/) > [“A meow’s a sound I want to look at. And after I see it, I want to pet it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-meow-s-a-sound-i-want-to-look-at-and-after-i-see-it-i-want-to-pet-it/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I really put my feet into my music, I have a say in how I want my music to sound and where I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-mclaughlin/i-really-put-my-feet-into-my-music-i-have-a-say-in-how-i-want-my/) [Caleb McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-mclaughlin/) > [I feel like, a lot of times, when you have a specific sound that you want and are searching for, you want the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-ross/i-feel-like-a-lot-of-times-when-you-have-a-specific-sound-that-you/) [Evan Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-ross/) > [The reason I wanted to become an organ player was because I heard Ray Charles play on Quincy Jones' arrangement of "One Mint Julep."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-jones/the-reason-i-wanted-to-become-an-organ-player-was-because-i-heard-ray/) [Booker T. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-jones/) > [Usually one or two things happen: Either you have an idea straightaway - the sort of sound that you want or the instrumentation or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-dudley/usually-one-or-two-things-happen-either-you-have-an-idea-straightaway/) [Anne Dudley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-dudley/) > [Maybe you have a particular type of sound you want to go for, but if you really want to be original, there's no real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-chancellor/maybe-you-have-a-particular-type-of-sound-you-want-to-go-for-but-if/) [Justin Chancellor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-chancellor/) > [People criticize you for trying new things. I think, 'I'm new! I'm 22!' I don't know exactly what my sound is or what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-azalea/people-criticize-you-for-trying-new-things-i-think-i-m-new-i-m-22-i/) [Iggy Azalea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-azalea/) > [Your Voiice Is The Sweetest Sound I Want To Hear On Wakiing Up And Before Going To Bed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karal/your-voiice-is-the-sweetest-sound-i-want-to-hear-on-wakiing-up-and/) [Karal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karal/) > [Rolling down the windows, yeah I got an air conditiona, but I got a sound I want the whole world to listenta.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masta-ace/rolling-down-the-windows-yeah-i-got-an-air-conditiona-but-i-got-a/) [Masta Ace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masta-ace/) > [You should do the sound that you want and not what others want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-cyrus/you-should-do-the-sound-that-you-want-and-not-what-others-want/) [Noah Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-cyrus/) ## More by Walter Becker > [Cynicism, I contend, is the wailing of someone who believes that things are, or should be, or could be, much, much better than they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/cynicism-i-contend-is-the-wailing-of-someone-who-believes-that-things/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [If it feels like we're re-creating something rather than creating something, we don't do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/if-it-feels-like-we-re-re-creating-something-rather-than-creating/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [There's a great freedom in writing by yourself. You can write anything you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/there-s-a-great-freedom-in-writing-by-yourself-you-can-write-anything/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [Most of our songs are about relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/most-of-our-songs-are-about-relationships/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [That's sort of what we wanted to do: conquer from the margins, sort of find our place in the middle based on the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/that-s-sort-of-what-we-wanted-to-do-conquer-from-the-margins-sort-of/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [You have a kid, and it's like, 'He's gotta go to college! Gotta have some clothes!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/you-have-a-kid-and-it-s-like-he-s-gotta-go-to-college-gotta-have-some/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I think what television and video games do is reminiscent of drug addiction. There's a measure of reinforcement and a behavioural loop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-think-what-television-and-video-games-do-is-reminiscent-of-drug/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I guess actually playing on the records and touring is a great forced practice regimen for me. And you learn a lot playing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-guess-actually-playing-on-the-records-and-touring-is-a-great-forced/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [We are constantly competing with the monsters from the id.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/we-are-constantly-competing-with-the-monsters-from-the-id/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I love guys like Charlie Parker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-love-guys-like-charlie-parker/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > ['Deacon Blues' was special for me. It's the only time I remember mixing a record all day and, when the mix was done, feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/deacon-blues-was-special-for-me-it-s-the-only-time-i-remember-mixing/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [It seemed like the more complex the music we were playing, the less able we were to guarantee its consistency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/it-seemed-like-the-more-complex-the-music-we-were-playing-the-less/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [Our career had a sort of funny shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/our-career-had-a-sort-of-funny-shape/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I think that there's the self-imposed pressure to come up with something that's good. For guys like us, that's much more important than any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-think-that-there-s-the-self-imposed-pressure-to-come-up-with/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I can never believe how much time and energy and money and talent and everything else is being poured into horrible ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-can-never-believe-how-much-time-and-energy-and-money-and-talent-and/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) [Explore all 77 Walter Becker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) ## More Foundation quotes > [Love is the foundation from which your decisions about your life should be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-the-foundation-from-which-your-decisions-about-your-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [A face is too slight a foundation for happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/a-face-is-too-slight-a-foundation-for-happiness/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Trust is the foundation of real teamwork (there is nothing touchy-feely about this).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/trust-is-the-foundation-of-real-teamwork-there-is-nothing-touchy/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [A loving family provides the foundation children need to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-bunning/a-loving-family-provides-the-foundation-children-need-to-succeed/) [Jim Bunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-bunning/) > [Everyone who makes music is a good collaborator at their foundation because in order to make music, you have to connect to it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/everyone-who-makes-music-is-a-good-collaborator-at-their-foundation/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-laws-keep-up-their-credit-not-by-being-just-but-because-they-are/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I was raised playing music in coffeehouses and I feel that was the foundation for my career. I think it is important that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/i-was-raised-playing-music-in-coffeehouses-and-i-feel-that-was-the/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [The foundation of the Christian's peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change can destroy. It will remain when the body dies;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/the-foundation-of-the-christian-s-peace-is-everlasting-it-is-what-no/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Butter, cream, and bacon. That's such a great foundation right there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/butter-cream-and-bacon-that-s-such-a-great-foundation-right-there/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [God established the family as the foundation of civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/god-established-the-family-as-the-foundation-of-civilization/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) > [To succeed, you will soon learn, as I did, the importance of a solid foundation in the basics of education - literacy, both verbal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/to-succeed-you-will-soon-learn-as-i-did-the-importance-of-a-solid/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Coral reefs represent some of the worlds most spectacular beauty spots, but they are also the foundation of marine life: without them many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheherazade-goldsmith/coral-reefs-represent-some-of-the-worlds-most-spectacular-beauty/) [Sheherazade Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheherazade-goldsmith/) [Browse all 3,310 Foundation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What gets people into trouble with records now is that they want to build something up without substantial musical ideas. 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