American musician Brian Setzer is most recognized for his work with the Stray Cats in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His years of experience in the field have given him a distinct viewpoint on the composition and performance of music. He discusses the remorse that musicians may experience after recording an album but not having had time to polish it further in one particularly noteworthy quote.

Consider that you are constructing a cake. You put all of your energy into combining the batter, forming layers, and artistically decorating it. However, as soon as you're done, someone informs you that the cake needs to be consumed immediately and that no modifications are permitted. When they release their music before they've had time to perfect every detail, some artists experience that. They may reflect on improvements they wish they had noticed sooner or adjustments they could have made.

Setzer is drawing attention to the widespread belief among recording artists and musicians that there is always space for improvement once a project is finished. When an artist re-listens to their work in a different context, like performing it live on stage, this sensation can be especially intense. They may discover new possibilities or adjustments they wish they had made before the recording was finalized as a result of the difference between the studio version and the live performance.

Setzer's understanding of the creative process and the occasionally incompatible demands of production schedules versus artistic satisfaction is also reflected in this quote. It demonstrates how even well-known musicians like him keep thinking back on their work and looking for methods to improve it, recognizing the ongoing nature of musical creativity.