Carter Burwell quotes

Carter Burwell is an American composer known for his distinctive film scores. His work has been featured in many acclaimed films, especially through his long collaboration with the Coen brothers. He continues to be recognized for his innovative and evocative musical style in the movie industry. Here are 42 of his quotes:

I don't find myself lobbying for projects. Filmmakers almost always come to me.

Carter Burwell

I'm one of those people who is actually inspired by a deadline. I might not sleep for many days on end, it may not be good for my health, but it definitely helps.

Carter Burwell

I think I've only done one horror movie, Psycho III. That was a walk in the park compared to a romantic comedy.

Carter Burwell

Music is the subliminal connecting adhesive in film, or at least in narrative feature films.

Carter Burwell

Hopefully each film can be given a musical voice of its own, which is not to say that the instrumentation is always unique, but that the relationship between the sound and the image is unique.

Carter Burwell

How does my music connect to an audience? That is just a complete mystery to me.

Carter Burwell

I had piano lessons when I was a kid, like most people. And hated them, like most people. And quit, like most people.

Carter Burwell

John Barry was my hero when I was about 13. His scores to the James Bond movies were the scores of my life back then.

Carter Burwell

If not bliss, ignorance can at least be fun.

Carter Burwell

I like business and personal life to be distinct.

Carter Burwell

Big Sur is at the end of the continent. It attracts really crazy people.

Carter Burwell

I like the fact that New York looks a bit backwards, toward the Old World, rather than resolutely forwards.

Carter Burwell

John Barry was the first film composer I was aware of. As a teenager I owned several of his Bond soundtracks.

Carter Burwell

Learning how to improvise really awakened my interest in music.

Carter Burwell

I write music to please myself. Hopefully the director's enjoying it too.

Carter Burwell

I have always loved Scottish music - all sorts of Celtic, Gaelic music.

Carter Burwell

Los Angeles is an industry town, and it has great facilities and personnel. The disadvantage is that everyone there seems to talk about the same subject matter.

Carter Burwell

All my music is very simple in that melody is usually clearly stated.

Carter Burwell

I would like to do a science fiction film some day. Star Wars seems really to have destroyed the genre, which at one time offered great musical opportunities.

Carter Burwell

A carefree quality is a whole aspect of life that I will never understand. I don't think I have ever been carefree and can't see the pleasure of it.

Carter Burwell

Carefully execute every instruction given to you by the director, producer, and studio. But that would be a life not worth living.

Carter Burwell

I think being a little nuts is helpful.

Carter Burwell