When Creativity Runs Out Of Steam

Quicksand steals my shoe, Clouds bring the f-stop blues
- Jack Johnson, F-Stop Blues

The first time I heard that song, my mind immediately took note of that lyric. It had some esoteric meaning that many people wouldn’t appreciate. Good writing, I thought.

If I had eyes in the back of my head, I would have told you that you looked good as I walked away
- Jack Johnson, If I Had Eyes

The first time I heard that song, my mind immediately took note of that lyric. It was completely inane. He’s washed up, I thought.

In creativity, just as in life, we can’t win ‘em all. Occasionally a real stinkburger floats through. However, in creativity, we have the chance to revise, to push, to refine, until a less than stellar idea has a chance to shine. If, once we’re done, the idea simply looks like a polished turd, we can choose to tuck it safely away in the dark closet of failed and/or rejected ideas and start anew.

If I had eyes in the back of my head, I would have told Jack Johnson to write some new lyrics or a new song altogether. I know that doesn’t make sense, but neither does that lyric.

And, yes, I also know that the picture is Andy Samberg playing Jack Johnson. I’m just trying to keep it mellow, people.