Avenues Quote by Yip Harburg
“The greatest romance in the life of a lyricist is when the right word meets the right note; often, however, a Park Avenue phrase elopes with a Bleecker Street chord, resulting in a shotgun wedding and a quickie divorce.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Songwriters Talk, 1965
A lyricist’s perfect match of words and music can be fleeting, with mismatched influences leading to brief, chaotic collaborations.
In simple terms: Great lyric and moments are rare and fragile.
Key Takeaway
Seek harmony, avoid forced pairings.
Themes
creativity
collaboration
artistic tension
Mood
reflective
melancholic
optimistic
Type
advice
observational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- writing a song
- producing an album
- cross‑genre projects
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
songwriting
cultural contrast
artistic process
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance artistic integrity with commercial pressure?
- When does a collaboration become counterproductive?
A Different Perspective
Even ideal pairings may clash due to differing styles or expectations.
![“There's no reason - not yet, anyway - to believe [Bob] Dylan himself endorses such an attitude; or that he would think of himself as a more profound and worthy recipient than, for instance, any of the brilliant Motown or girl-group lyricists who are more likely to be awarded a Nobel prize for…” quote by David Bennun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4bb/david-bennun-25818_abba_there-s-no-reason-not-yet-anyway-to-beli_130714.jpg)
