41 Quotes by Dorothy Fields

The audience, going along with the story, knows when the song is stuck in, feels it, resents it and can't enjoy it, and the song fails.

I do think song writing is a man's game. It requires push, energy, movement, mixing; it is a field that is and has been dominated by men.

Grab your coat, and get your hat, Leave your worry on the doorstep Just direct your feet, To the sunny side of the street.

I’m in the mood for love, simply because you’re near me. Funny, but when you’re near me I’m in the mood for love.

A song must move the story ahead. A song must take the place of dialogue. If a song halts the show, pushes it back, stalls it, the audience won’t buy it; they’ll be unhappy.

The songwriter mustn’t fall in love with his own song. If it doesn’t belong, he can’t push it into a show. Let him save it; maybe it’ll fit in another show.

I don’t care how good a song is. If it holds back the storyline, stalls the plot, your audience will reject it.

There aren’t more lady songwriters for the same reason that there aren’t more lady doctors or lady accountants or lady lawyers; not enough women have the time for careers.

Keep it in tune with the times, but don’t write with the specific purpose of trying to create a hit. If you’re doing it strictly to make money, you’re crazy. There are easier ways to make money.