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I'd Rather Be a Writer than a Critic

from Songs to Sing & Jokes to Tell by Pete Scott

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lyrics

I’d rather be a writer than a critic
Prefer to be creative than condemn
The output of a poet or a playwright
Face it it’s a case of us or them

I’d rather be a writer than a critic
A critic wouldn’t hesitate or stint
In their efforts to catch any fad that’s passin’
That they can assassinate in print

A star in the ascendance can very soon be dragged
Down into drug dependence after being roundly slagged
By one whose role is purely parasitic
I’d rather be a writer than a critic

I’d rather be a writer than a critic
Do they have to do a college course?
To learn about hyperbole and cliché
A masterpiece a stunning tour-de-force

They must be ever-vigilant and watchful
Unbiased and unprejudiced and fair
As they go to see a ludicrous hotchpotch full
Of badly structured hokum and hot air

The novelty will wear off the getting’ in for nowt
If you’re nutted by the author as you’re making your way out
He reckons you’re a tad anti-semitic
I’d rather be a writer than a critic

You go to see a show that’s naff and witless
Make enemies no matter what you do
End up at the top of every hit list
Just because you give a bad review

Preparation must be scrupulous and thorough
Two words wheat and chaff have come to mind
As they sit there on the train to Edinburgh
Wondering if the Fates will be inclined

To display their fickle nature, by visiting the hack
With a one-man mime performance ‘bout a donkey in Iraq
End up going out and getting paralytic
I’d rather be a writer than a critic

I’d rather be a writer than
I know we are much brighter than
And so much less uptighter than
I’d rather be a writer than a critic

credits

from Songs to Sing & Jokes to Tell, released January 1, 2013

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Pete Scott Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

Pete Scott (1948-2023) was a singer-songwriter from Newcastle upon Tyne.

He released many albums throughout his career, including "Don't Panic" and "Jimmy the Moonlight" on Rubber Records in the 1970s and, more recently, the self-released albums "Why Sing Goodbye Songs", "Songs to Sing & Jokes to Tell", and "Sweet Dreams of Contentment"

Known for folk rock in the 70s and comedy more recently. ... more

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