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The first thing that inspires any song is a chord progression. When I have one I really like, I get into the lyrics even more.

Black Francis

Everyone thinks I’m a wimp and even my own band hates me. Oh, well. I guess I’ll just flip ’em the bird!
BLACK FRANCIS

Bird Hate Thinking
You think you’ve made something really great, but there’s a reason why it’s not resonating the way some previous work did. But it’s not that easy to just replicate.
BLACK FRANCIS

Mysterious People Previous Thinking Work
My most cryptic, strange songs might be my most personal, but that isn’t how people are going to receive them, because they don’t know the code.
BLACK FRANCIS

might People Song
As soon as I got into music, I tried to be a working, real artist who gets paid for what he does, who doesn’t have a day job.
BLACK FRANCIS

Artist Jobs Real
There was a f**king review in f**king Melody Maker [of the first BOSSANOVA single, ‘Velouria’] – ‘Sounds like someone’s been taking singing lessons’. Like, motherf**king A! I am the singer.
BLACK FRANCIS

Kings Like Mother Reading Song
When I think about that I get stimulated and excited. It’s a feeling that you can’t label with words.
BLACK FRANCIS

Excited Label Stimulated Think Words
Some people think, “Oh, just go do that thing you used to do before.” But it just doesn’t work like that. It’s a lot more mysterious or slippery.
BLACK FRANCIS

Before Happy Mysterious People Some
We sing some song that we made up but I don’t want to make a record like that.
BLACK FRANCIS

Like Made Record Song
I have had UFO experiences, and yet, at the same time, I can easily be convinced that none of it is true. It’s hard to say whether or not you’re a believer.
BLACK FRANCIS

Matter People Stuff
That’s more important even then what their background is or what they’ve done before, how good they are, how new they are or whatever. All that stuff is really secondary to just getting along with the person.
BLACK FRANCIS

Along Background Before Getting Importance
I don’t make records that way, where I’m trying to please the marketplace or anything. Not because I have anything against that, it’s just never been a part of my aesthetic, even when I was with the Pixies.
BLACK FRANCIS

Aesthetic Records Trying Way
When you look at something that’s really good, it might be Iggy Pop or it might be Leonard Cohen. Whatever it is, you want it to be really good.
BLACK FRANCIS

Good might Real Really Something
I listen to Neil Young and jazz and classical stations and, if my girlfriend’s driving, it tends to be Hall & Oates.
BLACK FRANCIS

Driving Girlfriend Jazz
One guy just kept asking me and asking me in an interview, and I kept saying, “I just got done telling you no, there’s nothing to report.”
BLACK FRANCIS

Asking Guy Interview Nothing One Report Tell
There’s more to life than listening to rock music.
BLACK FRANCIS

Listening Rock Music Rocks
I’ve got a small, loyal audience, which is great. And I appreciate that. They’re there for me every time.
BLACK FRANCIS

Appreciate Audience Loyal
Who do sing SONGS. It’s like I never sang before; like I was – I don’t know – reading PROSE on my previous records and now I sing. EXCUUUUUUSE me for singing
BLACK FRANCIS

Exclusive Previous Prose Reading Sing
I’m always looking to rock out. But it isn’t really about rocking out versus being mellow, in terms of your personal satisfaction. In the end, you just want to be good.
BLACK FRANCIS

Looks Mellow Rocks Want Satisfaction
This is a particular thing, you know, catholic stories of martyrs who had their head removed and then continued to be miraculous in the last moments of their life.
BLACK FRANCIS

Catholic Lasts Stories
If I have more creativity that I want to get out of me, I try to find other ways than pursuing solo records so much.
BLACK FRANCIS

Creativity Records Trying
I think that painting is a very ancient form of expression.
BLACK FRANCIS

Expression Painting Thinking
It’s obvious you shouldn’t steal, kill or be cruel.
BLACK FRANCIS

Obvious Stealing
Bob Dylan is quite a songwriter, and a great singer and musician. I won’t bother with comparing myself to him, but I will say that I heard his records at a very young age and I still listen to all his records.
BLACK FRANCIS

Age Heart Musician Records Young
For some artists the live performance is the chicken before the egg of writing or recording of repertoire. For other artists the writing or recording of repertoire is the chicken before the egg of live performance.
BLACK FRANCIS

Artist Eggs Writing
I come from an art history background. I studied at a master’s degree level; I chose to dork out on art for much of my adult life.
BLACK FRANCIS

Art Hero Musical
When we’ve got something to say to the world, we will. I’m really happy that people are interested. “So, what’s up with the Pixies record? So, what’s up with the Pixies record?”
BLACK FRANCIS

Done Guy People Something Will
You should never rely on interviews with musicians as being factual.
BLACK FRANCIS

Editors Musicians Stuff

The first thing that inspires any song is a chord progression. When I have one I really like, I get into the lyrics even more.

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The first thing that inspires any song is a chord progression. When I have one I really like, I get into the lyrics even more.

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Popular Authors

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