Lee Hazlewood Quotes

Powerful Lee Hazlewood for Daily Growth

About Lee Hazlewood

Lee Joseph Hazlewood (July 7, 1929 – August 4, 2007) was an American songwriter, musician, and record producer, known for his deep, distinctive voice, innovative production techniques, and a vast catalog of songs that spanned genres such as country, pop, rock, and easy listening. Born in Moss Bluff, Arkansas, Hazlewood moved to California in 1948 with his family. His musical journey began when he formed a doo-wop group, The Fifties, in the late 1950s. However, it was his move to Las Vegas in the early 1960s that truly set the stage for his career. There, he worked as an A&R (Artist & Repertoire) man for the MGM Records subsidiary label, Liberty Records. Hazlewood's breakthrough as a performer came with the release of "Tobacco Road" in 1963, which became a hit and launched his career as a solo artist. He was instrumental in discovering and nurturing the careers of artists like Nancy Sinatra and Gram Parsons. His collaborations with Nancy Sinatra resulted in iconic hits such as "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (1966). In the 1970s, Hazlewood moved to England where he continued his career as a record producer, working with artists like The Fall and Lene Lovich. He returned to the U.S. in the late '70s and spent the following decades primarily producing records and composing songs. Throughout his career, Lee Hazlewood was known for his unconventional approach to songwriting and production, often using unusual arrangements, intricate harmonies, and thought-provoking lyrics. His influence can be seen in the works of artists like Beck, Air, and Ariel Pink. Despite not achieving widespread commercial success himself, Hazlewood's music continues to inspire generations of musicians.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot."

This quote by Lee Hazlewood implies that there is a delicate balance between taking action and merely observing or appearing idle. Fishing symbolizes active engagement in pursuing one's goals or aspirations, while standing on the shore represents passive observation without taking action. The quote serves as a reminder to not be content with simply observing life but instead to take courageous steps towards achieving our objectives, as inaction may lead to looking foolish or wasting potential opportunities.


"It's easy to be a nobody, anybody can do that."

This quote suggests that conformity or blending in with the crowd is an easy choice; it requires little effort or individuality. However, to stand out, to be unique and make an impact, takes courage, determination, and the willingness to challenge societal norms. It's a reminder that true significance often comes from embracing one's individuality and pursuing personal growth and ambition, rather than merely blending in with the masses.


"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

This quote by Lee Hazlewood emphasizes the importance of having a strong sense of personal values or principles, as without them, one may easily be swayed or influenced by external factors or trends that contradict their authentic self. In essence, it underscores the significance of maintaining a clear identity and standing firm in your beliefs to ensure integrity and consistency in life.


"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn."

This quote by Lee Hazlewood suggests that making decisions about when to pursue a course of action (crossing a bridge) or cut ties with something behind you (burning a bridge) are among the most challenging aspects of life. It implies that sometimes, it's essential to move forward and take risks, even if doing so means cutting off opportunities in the past. Conversely, there are times when it is wiser to let go of certain paths or relationships for personal growth and future success.


"I've been a songwriter, I've been a producer, I've been an artist, but most importantly, I've always been me."

This quote signifies that despite the various roles Lee Hazlewood has played in his career as a songwriter, producer, and artist, he values his authentic self above all else. He suggests that being true to oneself is the most significant aspect of his identity, shaping his experiences, creativity, and contributions to music.


When we did that kind of stuff our only rule was... Well, we didn't have any rules, really, but my rule, because I was the drinker of the group, was not at any time of the day before the night we're working.

- Lee Hazlewood

Night, Kind, Before, Group

The thing I hated about it was that you live in your trailer all the time and then they call you and you do maybe two dozen lines. Then they do that for three hours and you wait and wait and wait, and I don't like waiting.

- Lee Hazlewood

Waiting, Wait, Hours, Trailer

You see I have to be in the clinic every Thursday and it's in Phoenix so I have to fly down or drive down. It has to be every Thursday for this damn stuff they're giving me.

- Lee Hazlewood

Thursday, Giving, Down, Phoenix

If it was Europe, I just picked a country that I hadn't been to, but I didn't try to check up on what was going on in the country or anything like that. I just went and had a good time and met a lot of very nice people who are still my friends.

- Lee Hazlewood

Country, Been, Very, Nice People

I think for writers who write that kind of stuff, they want to make changes. Look at Kris Kristofferson and Dylan. I mean, whole generations come along liking that stuff and that's great.

- Lee Hazlewood

Think, Kind, I Think, Dylan

People think I'm crazy because I travel too much, but I haven't been doing any of that lately because I got a little sick this year and I've tried to take care of it.

- Lee Hazlewood

Doing, Year, Been, Lately

The movie wasn't a hit, although it did well in Europe for some reason.

- Lee Hazlewood

Reason, Some, Hit, Europe

So I became a producer because I knew one of the reasons was they didn't do them the way I thought was right.

- Lee Hazlewood

Thought, Reasons, Became, Producer

I tell ya, I could have got some more jobs if I'd tried, but I went to Sweden instead.

- Lee Hazlewood

More, Some, Could, Ya

Nobody heard records of you playing whatever the melody was on those low strings. It worked out good, you know, about 25 or 26 million records later. I guess it worked out alright.

- Lee Hazlewood

Good, Records, About, Million

Sweden was very nice. I did a lot of television. I wrote, directed and was in a lot of television there.

- Lee Hazlewood

Very, Lot, Directed, Sweden

I just did one movie and there was no career for me, anyway.

- Lee Hazlewood

Me, Career, Movie, Anyway

Well, you'll find the most boring part of it is the waiting, at least if it's in films anyway. Television's a lot faster, but the product... I don't think it's as good as a film.

- Lee Hazlewood

Think, Product, Films, Anyway

So anyway, I really enjoyed the European audiences.

- Lee Hazlewood

European, Audiences, Really, Anyway

There's nothing worse, I guess, than being black in an all-white church or being southern and being a liberal.

- Lee Hazlewood

Nothing, Southern, Guess, Liberal

I always liked circuses, so I would have enjoyed that.

- Lee Hazlewood

Always, Would, Liked, Enjoyed

I used to not stutter any. Oh, I did when I was a kid, I stuttered, I had a bad stutter until I was probably between the second and third grade and a guy got rid of it for me.

- Lee Hazlewood

Kid, Bad, Stutter, Grade

Oh no, I'm not a historian or anything like that.

- Lee Hazlewood

Anything, Like, Oh, Historian

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