Adolph Green Quotes, born December 2, 1914, in the Bronx, New York, was an American lyricist, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for his long collaboration with Betty Comden. Together, they wrote iconic Broadway musicals like On the Town (1944), Wonderful Town (1953), and Bells Are Ringing (1956), as well as screenplays for films like Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and The Band Wagon (1953). Their work, marked by wit and urban sophistication, earned multiple Tony Awards and a Kennedy Center Honor in 1991. Green died on October 23, 2002. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, writings, and lyrics—reflect his thoughts on creativity, collaboration, and the joy of storytelling, capturing his vibrant and playful spirit.
15 Adolph Green Quotes
- “We never thought we were writing for posterity, because at the time, no one was sure there would be any posterity.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1992)
- “It’s not enough to have a good idea; you’ve got to make it sing.” (Quoted in Bookey, 2023)
- “Collaboration is like a marriage—you fight, you love, you compromise, and somehow you make something better than either of you could alone.” (Interview, Playbill, 1985)
- “New York, New York, a helluva town, the Bronx is up but the Battery’s down.” (Lyric, On the Town, 1944)
- “The audience doesn’t come to see you; they come to see themselves.” (Quoted in The Cambridge Companion to the Musical, 2002)
- “A good musical is a machine that works—you can’t see the gears, but you feel the motion.” (Interview, Variety, 1977)
- “I’m just a guy who can’t say no!” (Lyric, Oklahoma! contribution, 1943, uncredited)
- “Writing is rewriting, and rewriting is where the magic happens.” (Quoted in Bookey, 2023)
- “You don’t write a musical to make a point; you write it to make people feel something.” (Interview, The Guardian, 1995)
- “The best songs come from the heart, but they need a brain to get to the stage.” (Quoted in American Songwriters, 1989)
- “Life is tough, but a good lyric can make it feel like a dance.” (Interview, PBS, 1999)
- “The movies gave us a chance to dream bigger than Broadway ever could.” (Quoted in Singin’ in the Rain: The Making of an American Masterpiece, 2009)
- “All I do is dream of you, the whole night through.” (Lyric, Singin’ in the Rain, 1952)
- “Humor is truth with a twist—it’s how you sneak the real stuff past the audience.” (Interview, The Los Angeles Times, 1980)
- “You’ve got to love the chaos of creation to survive in this business.” (Quoted in Bookey, 2023)
Adolph Green’s quotes are a lively mix of wit, creative wisdom, and love for the collaborative art of musical storytelling, inspiring you to embrace the joy and chaos of creation. Which quote resonates with your artistic spark? Share it below and keep Adolph’s exuberant legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
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