Most songs have meager beginnings. You wake up in the morning, you throw on your suspenders, and you subvocalize and just think. They seem to form like calcium. I can't think of a story right off the bat that was that interesting. I write things on the back of my hand, usually, and sing into a tape recorder.

Summary

This quote by Tom Waits highlights the process of creating music and the humble origins of most songs. Waits emphasizes that inspiration often comes unexpectedly, through mundane everyday activities like thinking and subvocalizing. He compares this creative process to the formation of calcium, suggesting that ideas gradually accumulate and solidify. Waits also hints at his personal writing habits, noting that he jots down thoughts on his hand and uses a tape recorder to capture his melodies. Overall, the quote highlights the unglamorous yet organic and personal nature of songwriting.

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