Quotes by Barry Mann

“You just have to believe in yourself when youve got something, and just keep pounding on the door, because if you pound long enough, somebody is going to open it.”

“I had written this really depressing ending in which when everybody says you get over things, and I thought I would love again, but wrong again.”

“I was never conscious of any distractions other than hearing an incredible Goffin and King lyric and pushing harder to do better because they were so good..”

“The business today is completely different and its very producer driven, so that a songwriter needs to have producing chops, be a singer/songwriter, or find a singer to develop.”

“But I must say I am happiest when something hits and Ive written it with Barry. After all these years, I am still amazed by his genius.”

“My nature is to be linear, and when Im not, I feel really proud of myself.”

“. As far as his recording career, it almost seemed that it just wasnt meant to be and no matter what we did, it turned out wrong.”

“Youll probably hit them in the face, but Sometimes its something youve got to do.”

“On the other hand when you are someone who records their own songs you are basically stuck writing for one voice and for one style that can stifle you a bit. Its a real trade off.”

“I quit college. I was studying architecture for about a year.”

“Writing with other people is also beneficial, not only on the creative aspect, but also that they have a different context.”

“Its very hard to teach someone how to write a song if to begin with theres no creative crop to harvest.”

“Right now were writing a Broadway show.”

“Carole (King) always said there was a small window of opportunity and we happened to come along at that period in the music business and jumped right in.”

“I know at the beginning of our careers, my wife and I were gut wrenchingly competitive.”

“A good lyric sings to me. And another lyricist might sing another lyrical song to me.”

“Cynthias lyrics always expressed the feelings people felt but they couldnt express themselves.”

“Weve written something like 900 songs in all.”

I quit college. I was studying architecture for about a year.

Its amazing how a competitive nature can turn a negative into something positive.