Writing about music is like dancing about architecture information
Maxim about music criticism
Musical comedian Martin Mull (pictured in 1976) is thought to have originated the quote, although an earlier variation of the line from the early 20th-century has been documented.
"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture" is a maxim used to express the futility of translating music through words.[1] It may be employed as an argument for dismissing music criticism altogether.[2]
The quote's origin is unknown. It is most commonly misattributed to musicians Laurie Anderson[3] and Elvis Costello.[4] Others, including Costello himself, credit the remark to comedian Martin Mull, although a variation ("talking about music is like singing about economics") has appeared in print since as early as 1918.[5]
^Brackett, David (2000). Interpreting Popular Music: With a new preface by the author. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520925700.
^Adelaide, Debra; Attfield, Sarah, eds. (2021). Creative Writing Practice: Reflections on Form and Process. Springer Nature. pp. 210–212. ISBN 9783030736743.
^Cite error: The named reference Keyes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"50 Years of Great British Music, Elvis Costello Interview". Q. March 2008. p. 67. Oh, God! Can I please put in print that I didn't say that! [...] It still follows me around, that one. It's probably in some book of quotations credited to me.
^Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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