--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The main thing that I've learned…" description: "\"The main thing that I've learned, artistically, is that if I'm in pain and feeling the budding of anger - if I absolutely feel like I need to write a s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/alex-ebert-14444_anger_the-main-thing-that-i-ve-learned-artisti_2792765.jpg" --- # The main thing that I've learned, artistically, is that if… ![“The main thing that I've learned, artistically, is that if I'm in pain and feeling the budding of anger - if I absolutely feel like I need to write a song about it, I'll either need to transform that anger into something positive, or I'll just need to throw the song away. Because eventually, I'm…” quote by Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/alex-ebert-14444_anger_the-main-thing-that-i-ve-learned-artisti_2792765.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/alex-ebert-14444_anger_the-main-thing-that-i-ve-learned-artisti_2792765.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/alex-ebert-14444_anger_the-main-thing-that-i-ve-learned-artisti_2792765.jpg) > “The main thing that I've learned, artistically, is that if I'm in pain and feeling the budding of anger - if I absolutely feel like I need to write a song about it, I'll either need to transform that anger into something positive, or I'll just need to throw the song away. Because eventually, I'm going to want to transcend that pain and that anger.” [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When pain and anger arise, channel them into creative work or discard them; otherwise the emotions will dominate and hinder growth. **In simple terms:** Turn negative feelings into art or let them go. Key Takeaway Transform or release emotional energy. Themes creativity emotional intelligence resilience Mood introspective determined Type advice reflective When to use this quote - songwriting - personal therapy - performance preparation - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology artistic process catharsis Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide when to use anger as fuel? - What signs tell you a song should be discarded? A Different Perspective If you suppress anger without expression, it may resurface later. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/) [Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/) > [Love is not always bed of roses. When its unfulfilled, it causes immense pain and anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/love-is-not-always-bed-of-roses-when-its-unfulfilled-it-causes/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [“Every emotion that is in the human mind is there for a positive reason, and they must be used for positive reasons, anger is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-emotion-that-is-in-the-human-mind-is-there-for-a-positive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Thinking about anger in positive terms is alien in most people’s experiences. However, a healthy expression of anger is a component for building and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle-lpc/thinking-about-anger-in-positive-terms-is-alien-in-most-people-s/) [David W. Earle LPC](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle-lpc/) > [I feel that part of my life's artwork is creatively dealing with all this negativity and anger and rage and hatred coming from whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-feel-that-part-of-my-life-s-artwork-is-creatively-dealing-with-all/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Please use anger for something positive like hurting people that deserve it or writing jokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/please-use-anger-for-something-positive-like-hurting-people-that/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [I tried to reach the combatants with my music. I tried to turn my anger into something positive. Myself, and others like me, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-burdon/i-tried-to-reach-the-combatants-with-my-music-i-tried-to-turn-my/) [Eric Burdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-burdon/) > [Anger is not bad. Anger can be a very positive thing, the thing that moves us beyond the acceptance of evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anger-is-not-bad-anger-can-be-a-very-positive-thing-the-thing-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've learned that I must find positive outlets for anger or it will destroy me. There is a certain anger: it reaches such intensity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-poitier/i-ve-learned-that-i-must-find-positive-outlets-for-anger-or-it-will-2/) [Sidney Poitier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-poitier/) > [Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles,a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-mcfatridge-terry/holding-on-to-anger-resentment-and-hurt-only-gives-you-tense-muscles/) [Kris( McFatridge) Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-mcfatridge-terry/) > [I think there is a big difference between expressing the pain and anger that many African Americans and other people of color may feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-nutter/i-think-there-is-a-big-difference-between-expressing-the-pain-and/) [Michael Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-nutter/) > [“Love, love, love, love is all you can do, even in the face of bitterness, pain, anger, confusion, it's the only thing to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/love-love-love-love-is-all-you-can-do-even-in-the-face-of-bitterness/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [I try to find pain and anger and hurt and write about it, and inject just a tiny bit of hope into it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everlast/i-try-to-find-pain-and-anger-and-hurt-and-write-about-it-and-inject/) [Everlast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everlast/) > [For any true stickler, you see, the sight of the plural word “Book’s” with an apostrophe in it will trigger a ghastly private emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-truss/for-any-true-stickler-you-see-the-sight-of-the-plural-word-book-s/) [Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-truss/) > [I firmly believe that usually, the person who hurt you doesn't realize what they've done or how much it hurt you. So, continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-firmly-believe-that-usually-the-person-who-hurt-you-doesn-t-realize/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) ## More by Alex Ebert > [Physical pain is problematic because it's very difficult to transcend that. Sometimes you're just in physical pain, and that's a bummer. Even then, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/physical-pain-is-problematic-because-it-s-very-difficult-to-transcend/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [Berlin would be a great place to have no cell phone, I think. Especially if you were able to live in a central location.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/berlin-would-be-a-great-place-to-have-no-cell-phone-i-think/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [From about 5 years old on, I was very contemplative and started to become constantly filled with nostalgia for the present moment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/from-about-5-years-old-on-i-was-very-contemplative-and-started-to/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [I took a lot of long summer road trips with my dad, and the mix of music we listened to on the road skipped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/i-took-a-lot-of-long-summer-road-trips-with-my-dad-and-the-mix-of/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [I think Edward Sharpe's music is counter-cultural music in the strangest sense where you have a time now where love, optimism, hope and community…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/i-think-edward-sharpe-s-music-is-counter-cultural-music-in-the/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [In my heart, I'm always in my rail-hosen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/in-my-heart-i-m-always-in-my-rail-hosen/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [The goal is to be free and hopeful in the music. Because that's really the only intention you need. From there, every natural and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/the-goal-is-to-be-free-and-hopeful-in-the-music-because-that-s-really/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [What gets me pretty pissed off is the whole Monsanto engineered foods issue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/what-gets-me-pretty-pissed-off-is-the-whole-monsanto-engineered-foods/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [For me, it's very childish to tour on a train. And I think that's a powerful quality, to inspire childishness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/for-me-it-s-very-childish-to-tour-on-a-train-and-i-think-that-s-a/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [The album is a thing that you can hang out with between shows. I think that it's really nice to give people something they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/the-album-is-a-thing-that-you-can-hang-out-with-between-shows-i-think/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [I'm pretty freelance. A freelance meditator. I float from one thing to the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/i-m-pretty-freelance-a-freelance-meditator-i-float-from-one-thing-to/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [What makes me deeply vulnerable? Probably the thing I suffer most from and have the most uncontrollable reactions from is still social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/what-makes-me-deeply-vulnerable-probably-the-thing-i-suffer-most-from/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [For the better part of my life, I was always trying to manufacture somehow what I would consider 'living.' Because I grew up sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/for-the-better-part-of-my-life-i-was-always-trying-to-manufacture/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [I think fun is one of the best gifts we can give to each other. If everyone was having fun we'd be in good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/i-think-fun-is-one-of-the-best-gifts-we-can-give-to-each-other-if/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [When you're in pain, you're genuinely very, very alive, and that's beautiful. Especially emotional pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/when-you-re-in-pain-you-re-genuinely-very-very-alive-and-that-s/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) [Explore all 46 Alex Ebert quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) ## More Anger quotes > [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/) [Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/) > [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [My care will be in the heart n not in words My anger will be in Words n not in the Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/my-care-will-be-in-the-heart-n-not-in-words-my-anger-will-be-in-words/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-a-negro-in-this-country-and-to-be-relatively-conscious-is-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) [Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The main thing that I've learned, artistically, is that if I'm in pain and feeling the budding of anger - if I absolutely feel like I need to write a song about it, I'll either need to transform that anger into something positive, or I'll just need to throw the song away. 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