Rick Rubin writes in the introduction to his book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, that creativity is not a rare ability. It is easily accessible. Creativity is an essential part of being human. It is our birthright. And it applies to all of us. Rubin is the epitome of practicing what you preach, as he has no musical ability but is widely regarded as one of the most creative minds in the music industry.
In his book, Rick Rubin reveals the secret to creativity, essentially showing the reader how he can apply his thoughts and feelings to the music he contributes to. When discussing his inkling towards different music, he takes several different avenues. When discussing his feelings about different types of music, he takes a variety of approaches. However, it all boils down to having a strong belief in the work you’re doing and trusting your instincts.
Rick Rubin was always open to listening to new music when he was younger, as evidenced by the disparity in ratings for his appearance on Desert Island Discs. He refers to Bach, Ramones, and Simon and Garfunkel as examples of classical, punk, and folk music.
Rubin’s love of variety is evident throughout his producing career, as he has collaborated with a diverse range of artists who create rap, rock, folk, and nearly every other genre imaginable. His lack of technical ability is a huge advantage because it does not limit him to any particular playing style. He knows what he likes and is eager to express his creative ideas. There is only one thing he looks for in an artist and the music he listens to, and it is best exemplified by the Neil Young track on his Desert Island Discs playlist.
Neil Young wrote ‘I Believe In You‘ in the 1970s, and it is one of the most popular songs on his album After the Gold Rush. Since its release, it has been covered by fans of the song, including Rita Coolidge, Robin Zander, and Linda Ronstadt. Rick Rubin is also a huge fan of the song.
“The song had such an overwhelming effect on me that I had to pull off the road,” he said. It felt like my heart stopped. It felt as if I was in another experience. There was also a sense of death, but it was not frightening or unpleasant. Instead, it felt beautiful, connected, and expansive. That was fantastic. Those are the moments I’m looking for.”
This perfectly captures what Rick Rubin looks for in a song and explains why he can create such universal music. He wants to be able to feel something in the music he listens to. If he can’t, he knows something is wrong.
Music can become overly complicated and difficult to understand. It frequently creates a fictional world that is slightly different from our own, in which our internal feelings are acknowledged and beautifully expressed. Rubin understands how to connect with an audience and occupy this world. He has done so throughout his career, and songs like ‘I Believe In You‘ taught him.
