"I found with this record I had to really be strong-willed, because in the past I've tended to tinker and add a thing or take a thing away, and nearly always been wrong"

This quote by Elvis Costello talks with the importance of having a solid will when creating something. He is saying that in the past he has actually tended to make small changes to his work, but that these adjustments have typically been wrong. He is highlighting the importance of having the strength to stick to his initial vision and also not be persuaded by the temptation to make tiny changes. This quote is a tip that it is very important to trust your impulses and also have the strength to stay true to your original vision. It is also a tip that occasionally it is far better to leave points as they are, rather than making tiny modifications that could potentially wreck the job. Elvis Costello's quote is a reminder that having a solid will is vital when creating something, and that it is essential to trust your impulses and also remain true to your initial vision.