Maren Morris

“There's no real high like finishing a new song, playing it a thousand times in your car, and freaking out with your co-writers.”

“The songwriting community in Nashville really is all about your talent. It's not about your image, and you have to be humble. You have to be kind. You have to have zero ego when you walk into that writing room.”

“I drive to clear my mind, like many people do. It's like, once you get in the car, whatever song you put on, it's so symbiotic. Your mood could change in a second.”

“Being the everyman in the writing room helps a lot: you have to be a real collaborator and selfless, and not have ego when you walk in there. That's the antithesis of the artist mentality.”

“If I got dropped tomorrow or every single I released from now on tanked, I'd be devastated, but I'd also still be doing this. I'd still be writing songs. I'd still be recording them. I was doing that for four years in Nashville. This is just on a larger stage.”

“I grew up listening to a lot of classic country, and I think that shows in my songwriting.”

“As a songwriter, I listen to everything to be inspired... from Rihanna to Bruno Mars to Springsteen to Johnny Cash.”

“There are so many times I turn on the radio, and I hear a guy, and I have no idea who it is because it sounds like four other people.”

“Right before I go out, we usually put on some Lauryn Hill or Fugees, and I'll do a shot of tequila just to calm my nerves.”

“I'm just so used to music videos or live TV, so to really see something that's scripted and you have to do it over and over again to get every angle - it's fascinating to me. I would love to do a little acting.”

“Obviously, writing together is very intimate because it's sort of acting where you need to get to a really deep place to get the most emotional song.”

“I didn't move to Nashville with any inkling or dreams of getting a record deal. I didn't have those stars in my eyes. I just wanted to take a break, relax, and figure out songwriting.”

“It's not my aim to be this, like, 'savior for females.' I just want to make good music.”

“When you walk off the stage, I think the end point is that you enjoyed yourself. I get to say that almost every time - either I made a few new fans or something resonated.”

“I think more guys should wake up and realize we're equal. You don't have to take care of me.”

“Every time I've seen Sheryl Crow perform, it's like effortless perfection. She's so relaxed onstage, but she's really locked into the music and having fun. Vocally, I've always looked up to her.”

“I just love Dolly so much, and Loretta. They both are songwriters that knew what they wanted to say; they were bucking a system.”

“I feel like it's improving a little bit as we go on, but I've never been to Lilith Fair. It always seemed so cool that it was started by women, for women, and it was a safe place to go and hear all of your favorite female acts in one space.”

“I feel like when I get into most rooms, melodies come really easily to me, and they sound good in my head. I never really know until I hear the song back and it's finished if it actually is good.”

“Enjoy every moment because it is so good and just a testament to all the work you've put in.”