Jill Scott on Country Songwriting and Love’s Hard Knocks
Like what?
I really enjoy Laura Mvula. She’s a composer, and it’s wonderful to see. Alabama Shakes — I like their depth and the musicianship. It’s good to see that the legacy of music continues despite the business, despite not getting the publishing that writers deserve on so many levels.
It’s been tough for musicians.
For artists like myself, gold is the new platinum because most people are streaming. I love to sell records. I really would love to feel supported in that and appreciated for what I do. And I do, because I’m able to perform live. When I come to a town, people show. They’re ready, and full of energy, and excited, and singing, and crying, and laughing, and dancing, and making out — and I like it. It’s really good to see people just being people.
There are artists who release albums every single year. You’re not one of them.
I base on my career off of Frankie Beverly and Maze, so I’m their kid whether they know it or not. They don’t have to put albums out. People recognize them and know they’re going to get a good show. I think Frankie just retired, but after 25, 30 years without putting out a record and selling out huge stadiums. I can always perform.
Is there anything you want to add about Woman?
I just would add to listen, not skim through. Turn everything off. Put the phone somewhere else. I’d say the same thing for all music. Music is an incredible way to tell stories and create. If you can find a moment when you’re in the tub or in the car, really ponder, listen, feel. There’s so many things that are stripping us of our humanity.
What’s the biggest thing?
I think that it’s easy to care behind a computer screen and not actually say or do anything with the people you can touch. There’s lots of opinions on the internet but no actions out in the streets. That’s what I think makes us lose ourselves. . . . I’ll say this: I don’t think that anyone is a fool for loving. If you haven’t loved anyone, that’s one thing. And if you have a well-rounded love and are mature enough, then it sucks when you get your feelings hurt, because if you chose love, you chose who you spend your time with.
You address that in “You Don’t Know,” how to love someone is to confront the pain that comes with it and the person you chose as a whole.
And with them being a part of yourself. You don’t jump out of a window or off a plane and think that you might fall. Falling for love is getting beaten down and broken. People get hard, tough, instead of just taking the helmet off. That’s the best way, you know? That’s the way I live. People might not get that just yet. They might never.