--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know why people have to…" description: "\"I don't know why people have to categorize things in music under music. It's music and it's music and it's music. When you start putting genres on thin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/austin-carlile-19668_genre_i-don-t-know-why-people-have-to-categori_2242999.jpg" --- # I don't know why people have to categorize things in music… ![“I don't know why people have to categorize things in music under music. It's music and it's music and it's music. When you start putting genres on things, I think it's completely ridiculous, and I hate that.” quote by Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/austin-carlile-19668_genre_i-don-t-know-why-people-have-to-categori_2242999.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/austin-carlile-19668_genre_i-don-t-know-why-people-have-to-categori_2242999.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/austin-carlile-19668_genre_i-don-t-know-why-people-have-to-categori_2242999.jpg) > “I don't know why people have to categorize things in music under music. It's music and it's music and it's music. When you start putting genres on things, I think it's completely ridiculous, and I hate that.” [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker argues that labeling music by genre is unnecessary and absurd, insisting that music should be experienced without categories. **In simple terms:** Music should be felt, not boxed into genres. Key Takeaway Embrace music without genre labels. Themes creativity individuality expression Mood frustrated defiant Type opinion musical When to use this quote - listening parties - personal playlists - music education - radio programming Key Concepts genre theory musical perception cultural constructs Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever rely on genre to find new songs? - How does genre labeling affect your listening experience? A Different Perspective Genres can help listeners discover new music and communicate styles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) [Genres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genres/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Can't get my head around sci-fi or fantasy. I'm not putting those genres down; it's just that I'm not built for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pelecanos/can-t-get-my-head-around-sci-fi-or-fantasy-i-m-not-putting-those/) [George Pelecanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pelecanos/) > [Subconciously, the things you listen to and you believe in, those things are going to come out, you know what I mean? I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tory-lanez/subconciously-the-things-you-listen-to-and-you-believe-in-those/) [Tory Lanez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tory-lanez/) > [There are two kinds of people: Those who categorize people and those who don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/there-are-two-kinds-of-people-those-who-categorize-people-and-those/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [It turns out that I'm far too schizophrenic musically for people to categorize me. I think people judge me a lot before they ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buble/it-turns-out-that-i-m-far-too-schizophrenic-musically-for-people-to/) [Michael Buble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buble/) > [“He (Zerubavel) draws attention to the social influences on perception (what people notice), attention and concern (what people care about), classification (how people categorize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-griswold/he-zerubavel-draws-attention-to-the-social-influences-on-perception/) [Wendy Griswold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-griswold/) > [“I can't help but feel that whites always gotta know the answer to everything. It's like they're uncomfortable not being able to categorize things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-serros/i-can-t-help-but-feel-that-whites-always-gotta-know-the-answer-to/) Michele Serros > [Critics like to describe and categorize things, and categories often have a way of limiting people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/critics-like-to-describe-and-categorize-things-and-categories-often/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [It was very important thousands of years ago to categorize things. I can eat that plant, I can't eat that plant. Or this tribe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-michael-key/it-was-very-important-thousands-of-years-ago-to-categorize-things-i/) [Keegan-Michael Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-michael-key/) > [I think we can not categorize. Things do not fit into a mold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ansel-adams/i-think-we-can-not-categorize-things-do-not-fit-into-a-mold/) [Ansel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ansel-adams/) > [I became interested in structure when I was in graduate school. How is it that the brain perceives structure in a sometimes disorganized and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levitin/i-became-interested-in-structure-when-i-was-in-graduate-school-how-is/) [Daniel Levitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levitin/) > [People like to understand and categorize things in order to understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-riemelt/people-like-to-understand-and-categorize-things-in-order-to-understand/) [Max Riemelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-riemelt/) > [I'm not a fan of any genre but am a fan of movies that are intelligent and/or funny. That goes across all genres: a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-a-fan-of-any-genre-but-am-a-fan-of-movies-that-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Playing with different genres and perspectives and ways of telling stories is one of the perks of being a novelist, but at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linn-ullmann/playing-with-different-genres-and-perspectives-and-ways-of-telling/) Linn Ullmann > [Music is there for us to explore. To intentionally limit yourself to one, two, or three genres is limitation at its worst. Music is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-anselmo/music-is-there-for-us-to-explore-to-intentionally-limit-yourself-to/) [Phil Anselmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-anselmo/) > [The great thing about the arts, and especially popular music, is that it really does cut across genres and races and classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/the-great-thing-about-the-arts-and-especially-popular-music-is-that/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) ## More by Austin Carlile > [You will leave this world with exactly what you came with. Nothing. Enjoy memories. Not materials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/you-will-leave-this-world-with-exactly-what-you-came-with-nothing/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [I'm actually at home when I'm not on tour, and I have a lot of downtime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/i-m-actually-at-home-when-i-m-not-on-tour-and-i-have-a-lot-of-downtime/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [Linkin Park has been a band for such a long time, for me, in my eyes. I was 16 years old when I first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/linkin-park-has-been-a-band-for-such-a-long-time-for-me-in-my-eyes-i/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [You have many options in life, never make giving up one of them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/you-have-many-options-in-life-never-make-giving-up-one-of-them/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [When I think of nu-metal, I think of Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and even Chevelle - those types of bands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/when-i-think-of-nu-metal-i-think-of-linkin-park-limp-bizkit-slipknot/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [Be your own person because no-one can take that away from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/be-your-own-person-because-no-one-can-take-that-away-from-you/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [I had actually hurt my neck, and because I went a while without getting it taken care of - it was pushing up against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/i-had-actually-hurt-my-neck-and-because-i-went-a-while-without/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [People can say what they want but it doesn't stop me from doing what I'm crazy about doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/people-can-say-what-they-want-but-it-doesn-t-stop-me-from-doing-what/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [Be your own person because no one can ever take that away from you, no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/be-your-own-person-because-no-one-can-ever-take-that-away-from-you-no/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [I think that the people who put caps and the people who put genres on music are the people who are killing our music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/i-think-that-the-people-who-put-caps-and-the-people-who-put-genres-on/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [Its disheartening to read the really negative stuff, but at the same time, I know who I am, and Im comfortable with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/its-disheartening-to-read-the-really-negative-stuff-but-at-the-same/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [What I think of when I think of nu-metal: structured, heavy music that has a point. It's angry just like all the other music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/what-i-think-of-when-i-think-of-nu-metal-structured-heavy-music-that/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [To me, music is emotion and if when you're listening to it and it doesn't make you feel that, then it's not music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/to-me-music-is-emotion-and-if-when-you-re-listening-to-it-and-it/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [Happiness isn't a destination,its a journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/happiness-isn-t-a-destination-its-a-journey/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) > [Never give up.Theres always hope,theres always life You've just got to open your heart to it.Live in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/never-give-up-theres-always-hope-theres-always-life-you-ve-just-got/) [Austin Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) [Explore all 31 Austin Carlile quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-carlile/) ## More Genre quotes > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [ He \[ the son\]'s grown up listening to all types of music, and the natural form of rebellion is to find the one genre… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-knowles/he-the-son-s-grown-up-listening-to-all-types-of-music-and-the-natural/) [Solange Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-knowles/) > [I don't really think in terms of genre, I think in terms of story and character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rudd/i-don-t-really-think-in-terms-of-genre-i-think-in-terms-of-story-and/) [Paul Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudd/) > [I've just always loved really good projects. The things that draw me into a new project have very little to do with genre and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel-staite/i-ve-just-always-loved-really-good-projects-the-things-that-draw-me/) [Jewel Staite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel-staite/) > [As a rule, I don't worry about genre. I just want to tell a good story, with characters that interest me and my readers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/as-a-rule-i-don-t-worry-about-genre-i-just-want-to-tell-a-good-story/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Trombone virtuoso and innovative composer, Papo combines the best of jazz and Latin music to create a genre that is unique and wild. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brecker/trombone-virtuoso-and-innovative-composer-papo-combines-the-best-of/) Michael Brecker > [Gothic in its purest sense is actually a very powerful, twisted genre, but the way it was being used by by journalists - 'goff'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siouxsie-sioux/gothic-in-its-purest-sense-is-actually-a-very-powerful-twisted-genre/) [Siouxsie Sioux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siouxsie-sioux/) > [The great thing about the arts, and especially popular music, is that it really does cut across genres and races and classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/the-great-thing-about-the-arts-and-especially-popular-music-is-that/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [“What we've done is make the categories of science fiction and fantasy larger, freer, and more inclusive than any other genre of contemporary literature.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/what-we-ve-done-is-make-the-categories-of-science-fiction-and-fantasy/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [I knew what kind of genre 'Casa de mi Padre' was going for. But my character, specifically, I think is very real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genesis-rodriguez/i-knew-what-kind-of-genre-casa-de-mi-padre-was-going-for-but-my/) [Genesis Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genesis-rodriguez/) > [In television, women can really run anything. It can be a comedy, it can be a drama, it can be genre, it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-michelle-gellar/in-television-women-can-really-run-anything-it-can-be-a-comedy-it-can/) [Sarah Michelle Gellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-michelle-gellar/) > [I'm not a fan of any genre but am a fan of movies that are intelligent and/or funny. That goes across all genres: a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-a-fan-of-any-genre-but-am-a-fan-of-movies-that-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The excellence of this important contribution to genre literature CANNOT be overstated A masterwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-nolan/the-excellence-of-this-important-contribution-to-genre-literature/) William F. Nolan > [I have finally become my own genre, and now that's what publishers want. I have a wonderful publisher now, Mulholland, very innovated, very fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/i-have-finally-become-my-own-genre-and-now-that-s-what-publishers/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [There is a real problem with the lack of diversity, specifically in genre films and the superheroes our kids grow up watching and emulating,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djimon-hounsou/there-is-a-real-problem-with-the-lack-of-diversity-specifically-in/) [Djimon Hounsou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djimon-hounsou/) [Browse all 2,187 Genre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't know why people have to categorize things in music under music. It's music and it's music and it's music. 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