Adam Schlesinger Quotes, born October 31, 1967, in New York City, was an American musician, songwriter, composer, and record producer, best known as a founding member of the power-pop band Fountains of Wayne, alongside Chris Collingwood, and for his work with bands Ivy and Tinted Windows. His songwriting for film, TV, and theater, including the Oscar-nominated “That Thing You Do!” and Emmy-winning Crazy Ex-Girlfriend songs, earned him acclaim. Schlesinger died on April 1, 2020, at age 52 from COVID-19 complications. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, his work, and public statements—reflect his insights on music, creativity, humor, and storytelling, capturing his witty perspective and musical legacy.
15 Adam Schlesinger Quotes
- “What should a song be about? It’s a trick question for songwriters because lots of amazing songs aren’t ‘about’ anything. Or, at least, they’re not about anything that’s obvious or logical.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I think when we were starting out, it was more about imitating our songwriting heroes. We would try to write songs like Neil Finn, or we would try to write songs like Ray Davies, or we would try to write songs like Glenn Tilbrook.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “It would probably be better if I got involved in fewer things just because I’d have more time to write for my own purposes… But if somebody calls you up with a really cool project, it’s hard to just say ‘no’ because you don’t feel like working.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Coachella is a magnet for music-biz luminaries such as Tara Reid, Paris Hilton, and Cameron Diaz.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “London is a vast, complex city designed by the same guy who created the Habitrail.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I generally prefer to come in to the studio with a fully written song and then work on the arrangement with the band. Sometimes even the arrangements are pretty much already worked out in my head, but other times we experiment.” (QuotesSayings, n.d.)
- “With the TV stuff, we usually hand in final, finished tracks. The turnaround time is so tight that there’s no time to demo anything; you just do it.” (QuotesSayings, n.d.)
- “I think in most cases, when you’re writing a song, you’re just making up a little story, and you’re not really thinking about making a point one way or another about it. You’re just coming up with a little scenario and seeing it through, and that’s it.” (QuotesSayings, n.d.)
- “With Fountains of Wayne, after ‘Stacy’s Mom’ happened, we started making a little bit more money and getting a little bit more known.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Scotland is a picturesque country where the people are friendly yet completely incomprehensible. Also, the national delicacy is a sheep’s stomach filled with its own intestines.” (Enquoted, n.d.)
- “I always have to be thinking about who’s going to be singing this song, what the context is. I don’t sit around just writing in a vacuum, ever.” (Enquoted, n.d.)
- “People all of a sudden know you for this one song. It just follows you around, and you have to play it over and over again. It comes to define you, but you have to find a way to stay fresh with it and enthusiastic about it.” (Interview, Consequence of Sound, 2016)
- “For me, it’s just more satisfying when you follow the rules rather than just make a bunch of sounds. The magic of just making noise in the studio goes away after a while.” (Enquoted, n.d.)
- “I think with musicals, it’s much more part of the script. They don’t want songs that would stop the show; they need songs that keep the plot moving.” (QuotesSayings, n.d.)
- “Having a Congress with a more diverse educational and professional background would serve the country well. And given the budget challenges facing America today, we might benefit from a few more cold, calculating problem solvers, and fewer courtroom impresarios.” (Enquoted, n.d.)
Adam Schlesinger’s quotes are a sharp mix of wit, practical creativity, and storytelling passion, inspiring musicians and fans to craft meaningful art while embracing humor and discipline. Which one strikes a chord with you? Share it below and keep Schlesinger’s musical legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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