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 FRANCISSome 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.
More Black Francis Quotes
-
-
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
That’s the most important thing, to get along with people. When you feel like you click with them.
BLACK FRANCIS -
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 -
It’s obvious you shouldn’t steal, kill or be cruel.
BLACK FRANCIS -
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 -
Most of them are mangled and even have made up stuff in them, that is to say, made up stuff by the writer or editor.
BLACK FRANCIS -
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 -
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 -
I listen to Neil Young and jazz and classical stations and, if my girlfriend’s driving, it tends to be Hall & Oates.
BLACK FRANCIS -
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 -
I think if everyone agrees that that’s the goal then it doesn’t matter who’s the band and it doesn’t matter who’s the producer. It just means that that you try to realise the ambition no matter what the situation is or who the people are.
BLACK FRANCIS -
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






