Marcello Giordani Quotes

Composers shouldn't think too much - it interferes with their plagiarism.

It's easy for a singer to sometimes pick up on another singer's sound, but that's just copying.

I try to take whatever I can from the songs I grew up listening to, these vibed-out pop numbers, and make them my own in some weird way.

I get to study and I got to mimic and what I basically did was I stole from every person that I could steal from. I was an imitator. That's what I was. It was years before I could take all of these things that I loved about all of these different artists and put them together and find my voice.

The great songs just come out. If it comes quick, just leave it that way.

The Beatles never sounded intimidated by their idols. They never interpreted old rock; they simply played it as well and as joyfully as they knew how. On 'Rock 'n' Roll,' John Lennon does nothing but interpret old rock.

I've stolen licks from just about every person that ever picked up a guitar. We all borrow from one another; it's called legitimate stealing.

I don't try to make the guitar sound like the harpsichord or lute. That makes you end up being like a bad copy.

My dad's music was a great inspiration to me.

Everything I record, I just try to sound like me and come up with songs that suit what I do, and then just go for it.

The best thing is when you hear somebody take your song and make something great of it.

It's a real gift to be able to have the works of brilliant, great people to learn from and build from. It gives you so much more to draw on, and then you don't have to be all about three-chord pop songs. I don't really like that kind of writing.

My music wouldn't sound the way it does if I hadn't had the experience of conducting.

When you find great songs, and somehow you get a spark in a little way, it can become brand new.

I played with so many musicians and some of the musicians would have something I want. I steal a lot of them, and I mash it up, I mash it up into my chords.

We don't need another Woody. Even Bob Dylan knew he couldn't be Woody Guthrie... I like Woody Guthrie fine, but I don't need the 50th generation version of it.

I try to not listen to all the girls I admire musically - like Nina Simone - just so I don't find myself imitating them, even if it's subconsciously.

I've had so many different influences musically, even from people who aren't even musicians. If you're inspired by someone and you document it musically, then they are your influence.

It's all a matter of hearing what I like and seeing if I can make it fit into my style.

Great classic music that I've been turned on to has not only inspired and influenced me, but it has had an effect on my songwriting.

I don't think anybody really super-consciously tries to develop a style to play.

I think it's being innovative and very creative to stay away from flat-out sampling somebody else's record. To me, that doesn't show too much of your creative side unless you take a little piece and add it, almost like spice on a chicken.

I wrote 'The River' practically trying to rip off every lick that James Taylor had, so it was neat to hear him sing those lyrics because that's who inspired you to write them.

I wear my musical heart on my sleeve and show all my influences off. I'm happy for someone to point out that my song sounds like someone else's.

A great melodic line is like a person's soul, and coming up with an original melody, it can be like you are illustrating the soul.