I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, read more

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?" My answer to that would be, 'No.'

There's music in the sighing of a reed;
There's music in the gushing of a rill;
There's read more

There's music in the sighing of a reed;
There's music in the gushing of a rill;
There's music in all things, if men had ears:
Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.

That rich celestial music thrilled the air
From hosts on hosts shining ones, who thronged
Eastward and read more

That rich celestial music thrilled the air
From hosts on hosts shining ones, who thronged
Eastward and westward, making bright the night.

For discords make the sweetest airs.

For discords make the sweetest airs.

True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my read more

True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

Modern recording has made it so that people can spend forever taking shortcuts and making everything uniform, but that strips read more

Modern recording has made it so that people can spend forever taking shortcuts and making everything uniform, but that strips music of what makes it exciting.

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is read more

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.