Van Morrison (1945) Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician
"Nights in Copenhagen with Van Morrison" (1985) interview by Al Jones
Source: The Meaning Of Life, II
Van Morrison (1945) Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician
"Nights in Copenhagen with Van Morrison" (1985) interview by Al Jones
Colleen Fitzpatrick (1972) American singer and actress
When asked about writing her own music
Attributed
M.I.A. (1975) British recording artist, songwriter, painter and director
Interview http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2008/05/qa_with_mia.php to Westword (2008) <br class="br">Sourced quotes
“Songwriters write songs, but they really belong to the listener.”
Jimmy Buffett book A Pirate Looks at Fifty
Source: A Pirate Looks at Fifty
“Strangely, some songs you really don't want to write.”
David Bowie (1947–2016) British musician, actor, record producer and arranger
Livewire interview (2002)
Context: Strangely, some songs you really don't want to write. I didn't like writing "Heathen". There was something so ominous and final about it. It was early in the morning, the sun was rising and through the windows I could see two deer grazing down below in the field. In the distance a car was driving slowly past the reservoir and these words were just streaming out and there were tears running down my face. But I couldn't stop, they just flew out. It's an odd feeling, like something else is guiding you, although forcing your hand is more like it.
Phil Ochs (1940–1976) American protest singer and songwriter
Testimony http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Chicago7/ochs.html at the Chicago Seven trial (11 December 1969)
Bob Dylan (1941) American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and artist
Interview http://www.interferenza.com/bcs/interw/84-jul30.htm with Bert Kleinman (30 July 1984). Cf. C. S. Lewis: "People won't write the books I want, so I have to do it for myself."