Don Henley
“I would advise any aspiring artist to read books, read poetry, and listen to the songs of great writers. Being able to play an instrument well and knowing something about theory is great, but there are a hell of a lot more good players than there are good lyricists. There is a real gap in that area. Also, steer clear of all the hoopla that surrounds the business—that’s not the important part. Avoid the limelight unless it is absolutely necessary for you to be in it in order to call attention to your work. In the end, the quality of your work—your songs, your recordings, your live performances—is the only thing that matters. There is a certain amount of promotional swamp that you will have to wade through and you won’t enjoy a lot of it, but it’s necessary. Just try to have some perspective—don’t get too caught up in the day-to-day stuff, but think in terms of the long haul. Be kind, be grateful, be patient. And, above all, keep your sense of humor. It can get mighty cold and windy at the top of the mountain, but the view up there is really fantastic.”
Performing Songwriter Issue 107
January/February 2008
Category: In Their Own Words
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