All art really does is keep you focused on questions of humanity, and it really is about how do we get on with our maker.
David BowieRead
I wanted to be Gerry Mulligan, only, see, I didn't have any kind of technique. So I thought, well, baritone sax is kind of easier; I can manage that - except I couldn't afford a baritone, so I bought an alto, which was the same fingering.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the struggles of an artist finding their unique voice and instrument.
David Bowie's quote illustrates the journey of an aspiring musician who admires a great artist, Gerry Mulligan, yet feels limited by their own skills and resources. Despite wanting to emulate Mulligan's talent, Bowie settles for a different instrument due to financial constraints, highlighting the creativity and adaptability required in the pursuit of art.
Themes
ArtMusicCreativityAdaptabilityAspiration
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at an arts festival, one could quote Bowie to emphasize the importance of exploring one's artistic path despite limitations.
More from David Bowie
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But I've got to think of myself as the luckiest guy. Robert Johnson only had one album's worth of work as his legacy. That's all that life allowed him.
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I'm an early riser. I get up between five and six, have coffee, and read for a couple of hours before everyone else gets up.
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