I've been writing a lot of road songs. Writing a lot of homesick songs. But once you start playing them out, it all ain't no secret anymore. Everyone knows how you feel.
Tyler ChildersRead
I look around me and I don’t see any rock’n’roll at the moment. Instead it’s all choreography and stylists and wigs and stuff. It’s like they’re afraid to let the music breathe. No one has their own identity like the Ronettes did back in the day. We had the skirts with the slits up the side, sort of tough, sort of Spanish Harlem cool, but sweet too. We didn’t have no dancers, we didn’t have no goddamn wigs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a longing for authentic rock’n’roll that emphasizes genuine artistic identity over superficial presentation.
In this quote, Ronnie Spector reflects on the lack of authenticity in contemporary music performances, contrasting them with the rawness and individuality of earlier rock’n’roll artists like the Ronettes. She suggests that modern performers rely too heavily on choreography and stylistic embellishments, losing the essence and spontaneity that allowed music to truly resonate with listeners.
Themes
RockAuthenticityMusicIdentityPerformance
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a discussion about the evolution of music and performance art.
Similar quotes
There's a lot of really inspiring music coming around the bend - we tend to believe that to sound classic or timeless is to sound vintage or retro. It's a little bit dangerous, because you'll really miss a chance to make your mark as a generation.
Brandi CarlileRead
It was very interesting in my world, because I grew up as a fan and I did not know that there was a thing called R&B, pop, country, classical - I just knew that I loved music.
Lionel RichieRead
When I think about country music, I think about America.
Johnny CashRead
'Society's Child' was a real hard record to start with. That's all you want is for you to put your first record out and have people screaming at you in the streets. But it taught me right away that what I was doing was valuable and important.
Janis IanRead
I see N.Y. hip-hop like I see N.Y. streets. N.Y. streets are grimy; it's a grind. N.Y. rappers are hustlers - whatever sound is in, we can adapt to that; there's nothing wrong with that.
NasRead