I write songs about real things… The subject dictates the mood and it goes from there, really.

Meaning of the quote

John Mayall, a British musician, says that he writes songs about things that are real and true. The topic or subject of the song decides the feeling or mood of the song, and then the song just flows naturally from there. He doesn't try to force a certain mood or style, but instead lets the subject matter guide the songwriting process.

About John Mayall

John Mayall was a renowned English blues and rock musician who formed the influential band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. He was considered the ‘godfather of the British blues’ and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his musical influence, which spanned nearly seven decades until his passing at the age of 90.

More about the author

More quotes from John Mayall

I write songs about real things… The subject dictates the mood and it goes from there, really.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

Joe’s been my drummer for 14 years, and we’ve been buddies for six years.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

Once you start collecting records you learn more and more about jazz and blues.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

Working with people, the musical part is one thing but the personal part is totally different and just as critical. If the friendship is there and it’s a lasting friendship, then it will take care of itself.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

You have to pack as much as you can in an hour or 70 minutes. This time around it was 15 songs, so it was a challenge to get them all the right length so you could get them all on.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

I get most of my news from the Jon Stewart Daily Show. It’s the most level commentary you can find. You have to laugh, because it’s all so true. It’s the closest thing to a counterculture.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

I never really thought about becoming a professional musician.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

To me, they are equally important, as they represent a certain period in my life and times. With that in mind, it really is impossible to pick favorites.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

I also went to art school and learned to play a piano there, but I play by ear.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

I always make it a point to pick songs on which players really shine.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)

The way I look at it, they’re all part of my musical diary, and I can listen to any one of them and it will bring up memories of what was going on at that time.

John Mayall

English blues musician (1933-2024)