--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Historically, musicians know what it is…" description: "\"Historically, musicians know what it is like to be outside the norm - walking the high wire without a safety net. Our experience is not so different fr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/billy-joel-1000_different_historically-musicians-know-what-it-is-l_646191.jpg" --- # Historically, musicians know what it is like to be outside… ![“Historically, musicians know what it is like to be outside the norm - walking the high wire without a safety net. Our experience is not so different from those who march to the beat of different drummers.” quote by Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/billy-joel-1000_different_historically-musicians-know-what-it-is-l_646191.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/billy-joel-1000_different_historically-musicians-know-what-it-is-l_646191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/billy-joel-1000_different_historically-musicians-know-what-it-is-l_646191.jpg) > “Historically, musicians know what it is like to be outside the norm - walking the high wire without a safety net. Our experience is not so different from those who march to the beat of different drummers.” [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists often feel isolated when they deviate from mainstream expectations, yet this mirrors anyone who follows an unconventional path. **In simple terms:** Being different can feel risky but also rewarding. Key Takeaway Embrace uniqueness despite uncertainty. Themes creativity nonconformity risk identity Mood reflective inspired Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - starting a band - choosing a niche career - public speaking - innovative projects Key Concepts individualism artistic expression social pressure Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance authenticity with societal expectations? - What support systems help sustain non‑conforming pursuits? A Different Perspective Uniqueness can lead to marginalization or failure without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) [Safety net](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety-net/) ## Related quotes > [In my last band, Soundgarden, I had a couple of different drummers sit in on some stuff and it was fun for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cameron/in-my-last-band-soundgarden-i-had-a-couple-of-different-drummers-sit/) [Matt Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cameron/) > [Hendrix rehearsed different drummers, before we met Mitch Mitchell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-redding/hendrix-rehearsed-different-drummers-before-we-met-mitch-mitchell/) [Noel Redding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-redding/) > [Acting is like a high wire act. Your margin for error is very slim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/acting-is-like-a-high-wire-act-your-margin-for-error-is-very-slim/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [A novel is a great act of passion and intellect, carpentry and largess. From the very beginning, I wrote to explain my own life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/a-novel-is-a-great-act-of-passion-and-intellect-carpentry-and-largess/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [Designing is a lot like a high-wire act - if the tightrope walker is only six inches off the ground, where's the excitement?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wilson/designing-is-a-lot-like-a-high-wire-act-if-the-tightrope-walker-is/) [Douglas Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wilson/) > [David O. Russell's best films are thrilling high wire acts that run the moment to moment risk of tumbling to the ground. In his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/david-o-russell-s-best-films-are-thrilling-high-wire-acts-that-run/) [David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/) > [As long as I can walk and talk, I'll try almost anything. I say "almost" because the high wire is definitely out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-bacall/as-long-as-i-can-walk-and-talk-i-ll-try-almost-anything-i-say-almost/) [Lauren Bacall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-bacall/) > [It's very normal - when you're not used to the world of the high wire, it's very normal to be simply terrified. The reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/it-s-very-normal-when-you-re-not-used-to-the-world-of-the-high-wire/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/the-only-people-who-never-tumble-are-those-who-never-mount-the-high/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I have been performing in the street for more than 50 years: magic for basically 60 years, and the high wire 45 years. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-have-been-performing-in-the-street-for-more-than-50-years-magic-for/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I walk on the wire; it's my profession, and there are no two high wire walks alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-walk-on-the-wire-it-s-my-profession-and-there-are-no-two-high-wire/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [The great thing about theater is that you have so much time to prepare, and to fail, before presenting it to the public. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pine/the-great-thing-about-theater-is-that-you-have-so-much-time-to/) [Chris Pine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pine/) > [“On the high wire, she was beholden to no one, a creature without past or present, suspended between earth and sky.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/on-the-high-wire-she-was-beholden-to-no-one-a-creature-without-past/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [You often feel like you are on a high wire with no net productions because you have to rely on spontaneity and come up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/you-often-feel-like-you-are-on-a-high-wire-with-no-net-productions/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [Life can be like walking on a high wire. Falling seems a tiny misstep away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/life-can-be-like-walking-on-a-high-wire-falling-seems-a-tiny-misstep/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) ## More by Billy Joel > [Everybody is different. Some writers can write reams of great books and then J. D. Salinger wrote just a few. Beethoven wrote nine symphonies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/everybody-is-different-some-writers-can-write-reams-of-great-books/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Only the good die young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/only-the-good-die-young/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [In a way, we are magicians. We are alchemists, sorcerers and wizards. We are a very strange bunch. But there is great fun in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/in-a-way-we-are-magicians-we-are-alchemists-sorcerers-and-wizards-we/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I don't want some pretty face to tell me pretty lies, all I want is someone to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-don-t-want-some-pretty-face-to-tell-me-pretty-lies-all-i-want-is/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I've always said about 50% of what happens at a concert has to do with the audience. If you play for a dead audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-ve-always-said-about-50-of-what-happens-at-a-concert-has-to-do-with/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [She's the quiet type who's into heavy metal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/she-s-the-quiet-type-who-s-into-heavy-metal/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Rock and roll just used to be for kicks, now a days it's politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/rock-and-roll-just-used-to-be-for-kicks-now-a-days-it-s-politics/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Don't make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though it's crucial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/don-t-make-music-for-some-vast-unseen-audience-or-market-or-ratings/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Usually when I'm writing, I try to write fairly quickly. If a song sits around too long, it starts to take on a stink.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/usually-when-i-m-writing-i-try-to-write-fairly-quickly-if-a-song-sits/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [My daughter sent me on a mission to get as many autographs as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/my-daughter-sent-me-on-a-mission-to-get-as-many-autographs-as-possible/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [ I was listening to stuff and I realized that I've had a lot of different lives. You know the theory \[that says\] every seven… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-was-listening-to-stuff-and-i-realized-that-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [If you said good-bye to me tonight, There would still be music left to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/if-you-said-good-bye-to-me-tonight-there-would-still-be-music-left-to/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [If I need a cause for celebration, Or a comfort I can use to ease my mind, I rely on my imagination, And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/if-i-need-a-cause-for-celebration-or-a-comfort-i-can-use-to-ease-my/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I'm carrying the weight of all the useless junk and modern man accumulates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-m-carrying-the-weight-of-all-the-useless-junk-and-modern-man/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [What will it take for you to believe in me, the way that I believe in you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/what-will-it-take-for-you-to-believe-in-me-the-way-that-i-believe-in/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) [Explore all 311 Billy Joel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) ## More Different quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. 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Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/) [Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Suffering did different things to different people...Some souls became tempered, unshakable in their faith, while others became twisted and mis-shapen, throwing off all connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ragen/suffering-did-different-things-to-different-people-some-souls-became/) [Naomi Ragen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ragen/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. 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Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/) [Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/) Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Historically, musicians know what it is like to be outside the norm - walking the high wire without a safety net. 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