*thinking VERY hard...*

Having thought, I believe that listening is crucial. Not only to notes, styles, opinions..etc....but also to silences and flow and 'relevance' in a group...being aware of when to do, or not do a particular song can be the best thing you learn.
..no one will ever comment that you DIDN'T break a mood of sad ballads with your pre-programmed determination to do the silly parody you wrote...but they sure will remember if you DO!