One difference between poetry and...

One difference between poetry and lyrics is that lyrics sort of fade into the background. They fade on the page and live on the stage when set to music.

- Stephen Sondheim

lyrics poetry stage

Other quotes by Stephen Sondheim

Music straightjackets a poem and prevents it from breathing on its own, whereas it liberates a lyric. Poetry doesn't need music; lyrics do.

- Stephen Sondheim

The worst thing you can do is censor yourself as the pencil hits the paper. You must not edit until you get it all on paper. If you can put everything down, stream-of-consciousness, you'll do yourself a service.

- Stephen Sondheim

I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.

- Stephen Sondheim

Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.

- Stephen Sondheim

If I cannot fly, let me sing.

- Stephen Sondheim

Music blows lyrics up very quickly, and suddenly they become more than art. They become pompous and they become self-conscious ... I firmly believe that lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to understand what's going on. Particularly in the theater, where you not only have the music, but you've got costume, story, acting, orchestra. There's a lot to take in.

- Stephen Sondheim

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