--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know, it wasn't even that I'm a funny…" description: "\"You know, it wasn't even that I'm a funny guy, I just loved stand-up comedy and I wanted to do it. It was one of the few things in my life that I knew ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/bill-burr-1900_able_you-know-it-wasn-t-even-that-i-m-a-funny_58686.png" --- # You know, it wasn't even that I'm a funny guy, I just… ![“You know, it wasn't even that I'm a funny guy, I just loved stand-up comedy and I wanted to do it. It was one of the few things in my life that I knew I was going to be able to do, and I also felt as though I'd be able to do it the way I wanted to do it.” quote by Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/bill-burr-1900_able_you-know-it-wasn-t-even-that-i-m-a-funny_58686.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/bill-burr-1900_able_you-know-it-wasn-t-even-that-i-m-a-funny_58686.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/bill-burr-1900_able_you-know-it-wasn-t-even-that-i-m-a-funny_58686.png) > “You know, it wasn't even that I'm a funny guy, I just loved stand-up comedy and I wanted to do it. It was one of the few things in my life that I knew I was going to be able to do, and I also felt as though I'd be able to do it the way I wanted to do it.” [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) ## 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 expresses that his drive for stand‑up stems from genuine passion and confidence in his unique style, not from a self‑label as funny. **In simple terms:** Passion fuels authentic performance. Key Takeaway Confidence + personal vision = success. Themes Passion Self‑belief Authenticity Creative autonomy Mood Determined Optimistic Reflective Type Personal anecdote Inspirational When to use this quote - Choosing a career path - Overcoming self‑doubt - Pursuing a creative hobby - Defining artistic style Key Concepts Comedy Performance Personal identity Practical Applications - Motivational speaking - Career coaching Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to own your creative process? - How can confidence shape artistic choices? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Stand up comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-up-comedy/) ## Related quotes > [Stand up comedy is this thing you get to do, so you have to treat it with respect. You can't just be like, 'Alright,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/stand-up-comedy-is-this-thing-you-get-to-do-so-you-have-to-treat-it/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [I was always a funny guy. I don't think anybody that makes it to this level of stand-up wasn't a funny guy when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/i-was-always-a-funny-guy-i-don-t-think-anybody-that-makes-it-to-this/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [I was never funny. There were funny people I was around, but I wasn't a funny guy. I was dead serious about everything. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-cole/i-was-never-funny-there-were-funny-people-i-was-around-but-i-wasn-t-a/) [Deon Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-cole/) > [Now obviously popularity isn't everything when it comes to stand up comedy, but the art form itself is better today than it ever has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/now-obviously-popularity-isn-t-everything-when-it-comes-to-stand-up/) [Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/) > [While awaiting sentencing, I decided to give stand-up comedy a shot. The judge had suggested I get my act together, and I took him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-allen/while-awaiting-sentencing-i-decided-to-give-stand-up-comedy-a-shot/) [Tim Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-allen/) > [As a live stand-up comedy performer, I have the benefit of choosing real entrance music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/as-a-live-stand-up-comedy-performer-i-have-the-benefit-of-choosing/) [John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/) > [For me, the way I stay consistent is through stand-up comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/for-me-the-way-i-stay-consistent-is-through-stand-up-comedy/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [But sometimes it's good to dare yourself to do the unthinkable. And rather than stand in front of an audience with no clothes on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-davis/but-sometimes-it-s-good-to-dare-yourself-to-do-the-unthinkable-and/) [Evan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-davis/) > [Comedy doesn't really matter that much; I know that. I treat it like an adult - I don't treat it like a child or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/comedy-doesn-t-really-matter-that-much-i-know-that-i-treat-it-like-an/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [About a year after I moved to Los Angeles, I decided I wanted to be a joke writer for a late night talk show.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/about-a-year-after-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-decided-i-wanted-to-be-a/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Stand-up comedy is a very hard thing on the spirit. There are people who transcend it, like Jack Benny and Steve Martin, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-nichols/stand-up-comedy-is-a-very-hard-thing-on-the-spirit-there-are-people/) [Mike Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-nichols/) > [Stand-up comedy is an art form and it dies unless you expand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kinison/stand-up-comedy-is-an-art-form-and-it-dies-unless-you-expand-it/) [Sam Kinison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kinison/) > [When you're standing around for an hour doing stand up it's no big deal but when you're standing around watching a show for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/when-you-re-standing-around-for-an-hour-doing-stand-up-it-s-no-big/) [Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/) > [Stand-up comedy in the end, unlike the rest of the entertainment industry, is a meritocracy. There's a certain level of undeniability you can work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/stand-up-comedy-in-the-end-unlike-the-rest-of-the-entertainment/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) ## More by Bill Burr > [I love making movies, and being in any that I can be in. I'd like to be in those giant movies, as the fifth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-love-making-movies-and-being-in-any-that-i-can-be-in-i-d-like-to-be/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [I'm always looking at new ways to tell a joke so that it doesn't get stale while working on new jokes every night or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-m-always-looking-at-new-ways-to-tell-a-joke-so-that-it-doesn-t-get/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [I love doing radio, and I love doing stand-up, obviously. I'm good flying up to four hours, but anything past that, I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-love-doing-radio-and-i-love-doing-stand-up-obviously-i-m-good/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [It was right after 9/11 and I decided to walk around the grounds of the Pentagon, because I had never been there. Out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/it-was-right-after-9-11-and-i-decided-to-walk-around-the-grounds-of/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [Business runs hot and cold so the more you're in charge of your own destiny, the better off you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/business-runs-hot-and-cold-so-the-more-you-re-in-charge-of-your-own/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [I am so pro-swine flu...I want it. We need a plague. It's got to happen; don't be afraid. It's only going to kill the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-am-so-pro-swine-flu-i-want-it-we-need-a-plague-it-s-got-to-happen/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [I wish they would teach it in schools: Give people the belief that they are going to do well. A lot of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-wish-they-would-teach-it-in-schools-give-people-the-belief-that/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [Look how long it took to build the Freedom Tower, and we wanted that. It took 15 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/look-how-long-it-took-to-build-the-freedom-tower-and-we-wanted-that/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [For aspiring comedians? Don't listen to me. Just go on stage and do what you think is funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/for-aspiring-comedians-don-t-listen-to-me-just-go-on-stage-and-do/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [It's a great time to be a comedian because you've got so much more control. You can say what you want to. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/it-s-a-great-time-to-be-a-comedian-because-you-ve-got-so-much-more/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [People make a big deal about podcasts but it's basically an online radio show with the sound effects and sidekicks, but because you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/people-make-a-big-deal-about-podcasts-but-it-s-basically-an-online/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [Do you know how many times a week people ask me why I'm yelling?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/do-you-know-how-many-times-a-week-people-ask-me-why-i-m-yelling/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [You wanna know how you know you're informed as a protestor? They don't show your interview on TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/you-wanna-know-how-you-know-you-re-informed-as-a-protestor-they-don-t/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [I am so pro-swine flu it's ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-am-so-pro-swine-flu-it-s-ridiculous/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [ Actually they \[ Netflix\] were telling us to push it further and I've never gotten a nod like that from anybody in the industry,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/actually-they-netflix-were-telling-us-to-push-it-further-and-i-ve/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) [Explore all 200 Bill Burr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. 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