“The song is the center; the song is the key. If you don't have a good song you don't have anything by my value.”

— Carole King

As quoted in "The King is Still Alive" in The Birmingham Post [England] (6 November 2001)

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Carole King 43

Nasa 1942

Sherwood Smith book Crown Duel

Source: Crown Duel

“I used to think that myself and my songs were the same thing. But I don't believe that any more. There's myself and there's my song, which I hope is everybody's song.”

Bob Dylan (1941) American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and artist

Interview by Hubert Saal, "Dylan is Back," Newsweek (26 February 1968)

“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.

“I wanted your songs.
You wanted my songs more than you wanted my happiness. So you took my happiness, and stole my songs.”

Orson Scott Card Songmaster

Songmaster (1979)

“A good song can only do good, and I am proud of the songs I have sung.”

Pete Seeger (1919–2014) American folk singer

Statement to the court prior to his sentencing for contempt of Congress (1961); also quoted on NPR: Weekend Edition (2 July 2005)
Context: A good song can only do good, and I am proud of the songs I have sung. I hope to be able to continue singing these songs for all who want to listen, Republicans, Democrats, and independents.