QuoteProject
In an age of incompetence, I've been able to last in this crazy business. I actually know how to play my ax and write a song. That's my job.
Billy Joel
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Billy Joel emphasizes the importance of skill and passion in a challenging environment.

In this quote, Billy Joel expresses pride in his ability to succeed and maintain his position in a tough industry marked by many who lack competence. He highlights his dedication to his craft, not just as a musician but as a songwriter, underscoring that true talent and hard work can prevail even amidst chaos and mediocrity.

Themes

SkillMusicPerseveranceCreativityTalent

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a motivational speech about pursuing one's passion.

More from Billy Joel

You've got your passion. You've got your pride. But don't you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true.
Billy JoelRead
Well I never had a place that I could call my very own/That's all right, my love, 'cause you're my home.
Billy JoelRead
If it seems like I've been lost in 'lets remember', If it seems I'm gettin' older and missin' my younger days, well you shoulda known me much better, cause the past is something that never got in my way.
Billy JoelRead
I consider myself to be an inept pianist, a bad singer, and a merely competent songwriter. ... I'm probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14-to meet women. ... If you make music for the human needs you have within yourself, then you do it for all humans who need the same things. You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings. ... My songs are like my kids.
Billy JoelRead
No matter what culture you're from, everyone loves music.
Billy JoelRead
Sweetness flows from your appearance and your beauty makes me fall more in love with you. Anytime I feel low, I think about the good times you have given me and everything seems good again.
Billy JoelRead

Similar quotes

Theres no way in the world I can feel the same blues the way I used to. When I play in Chicago, Im playing up-to-date, not the blues I was born with. People should hear the pure blues - the blues we used to have when we had no money.
Muddy WatersRead
When I started playing music, people weren't selling 5 million records. That was not the standard; that was not the focus.
PrinceRead
Back then people closed their eyes and listened to music. Today there's a lot of images that go with the music. A lot of music is crap and it's all commercial and the images are all trying to sell the record.
Neil YoungRead
I've never mastered the guitar. Either I was playing it, or it was playing me; it depends how you look at it. As a kid, the only things I had to do was go to school, do my homework, and play guitar.
Jimmy PageRead
I never listen to the radio to keep up with current trends.
George HarrisonRead
The '60s was one of the first times the power of music was used by a generation to bind them together.
Neil YoungRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.