I think the nature of songwriters is that they are philosophers, and philosophers have a bent towards poetry and songwriting, so I think that the two run around together. The nature of a songwriter could be philosophical. Looking for universal ideas, a way to say things, get the story across as a means of entertaining, provoking thought.

Tom T. Hall

Categorized in : Mean Running Philosophical

Whiskey's to tough, Champagne costs too much, Vodka puts my mouth in gear. I hope this refrain, Will help me explain, As a matter of fact, I like beer.

Tom T. Hall

too-much matter beer

I love winners when they cry, losers when they try.

Tom T. Hall

cry loser trying

When I first got to Nashville, somebody said that [Kris Kristofferson and I] were the only two people who could describe Dolly Parton without using their hands.

Tom T. Hall

nashville two country

God bless little children while they're still too young to hate.

Tom T. Hall

hate children reality

It's Faster horses, Younger women, Older whiskey and More money.

Tom T. Hall

whiskey horse alcohol

I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, bourbon in a glass, and grass.

Tom T. Hall

alcohol glasses coffee

Songwriting is as much a craft as a talent.

Tom T. Hall

songwriting crafts talent

My best album is called In Search Of A Song. That was my best shot right there. My finest hour, as they say. I could listen to the whole thing all the way through. There's nothing really crammed into it.

Tom T. Hall

albums song way

Make your melodies simple enough so that the average person can hum them.

Tom T. Hall

simple enough average

It used to be that youd have a song recorded by a major country artist and if it was a hit, you could buy a car. Now you can buy a dealership.

Tom T. Hall

artist song country

Is this really Butte, Montana, or just existential blues?

Tom T. Hall

montana existential philosophy

When you retire, it's a place in life, a part of the journey. You just don't quit work; you develop an attitude where you can do what you please

Tom T. Hall

quitting journey attitude

I don't know why songwriters struggle. They have to, I guess. If you're a young songwriter, quit struggling. It makes you look bad.

Tom T. Hall

quitting struggle looks

The way you look for songs, you find yourself looking for little signals and clues about life and how things are.

Tom T. Hall

finding-yourself song looks

The first time with artistic endeavors is, if it's working, it was your idea, and if it's not, it's somebody else's idea.

Tom T. Hall

artistic ideas firsts

The first guy who came up with the concept of religion was sitting out under a tree. I'm sure of that.

Tom T. Hall

guy sitting tree

I'm a very comfortable and happy-go-lucky old man. I never wanted to be great, because I'd just get worried.

Tom T. Hall

worried lucky men

I took up a sort of a hobby of just hanging around the local library. I'd pick out an author and I would read all their books.

Tom T. Hall

library hobbies book

I never hid out. I was never big enough a star.

Tom T. Hall

bigs stars enough

I am a fan of history.

Tom T. Hall

fans