--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can't read music. That's not where I…" description: "\"I can't read music. That's not where I come from musically. I come strictly from feeling, and that feeling comes from rock & roll.\" — Bobby Keys" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4d/bobby-keys-27031_come_i-can-t-read-music-that-s-not-where-i-co_1094779.jpg" --- # I can't read music. That's not where I come from… ![“I can't read music. That's not where I come from musically. I come strictly from feeling, and that feeling comes from rock & roll.” quote by Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4d/bobby-keys-27031_come_i-can-t-read-music-that-s-not-where-i-co_1094779.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4d/bobby-keys-27031_come_i-can-t-read-music-that-s-not-where-i-co_1094779.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4d/bobby-keys-27031_come_i-can-t-read-music-that-s-not-where-i-co_1094779.jpg) > “I can't read music. That's not where I come from musically. I come strictly from feeling, and that feeling comes from rock & roll.” [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Music understanding can be intuitive, not always formal; feeling can guide performance. **In simple terms:** Music can be felt, not just read. Key Takeaway Trust your instinct. Themes creativity intuition music Mood inspired reflective Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - songwriting - live performance - musical collaboration Key Concepts improvisation emotional expression Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance feeling with skill? - Can you learn basics without losing intuition? A Different Perspective Relying solely on feeling may limit technical growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) [Feeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musically/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) [Read Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-music/) [Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock/) [Rock Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-roll/) [Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roll/) [Strictly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strictly/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) ## Related quotes > [When I talk about rock n' roll, to me, that goes back to the beginning of the 1950s. Blue suede shoes and sideburns, man.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/when-i-talk-about-rock-n-roll-to-me-that-goes-back-to-the-beginning/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [No, I don't think rock 'n' roll will ever fade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/no-i-don-t-think-rock-n-roll-will-ever-fade/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [Rock and roll and swing never quite mixed. Rock and roll came in and just blew everything out of the water. Big bands were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-setzer/rock-and-roll-and-swing-never-quite-mixed-rock-and-roll-came-in-and/) [Brian Setzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-setzer/) > [When you're talking about rock n' roll, myth-making is what it's all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/when-you-re-talking-about-rock-n-roll-myth-making-is-what-it-s-all/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [My feelings are, if you're gonna lead a rock n' roll lifestyle, don't let it affect your work. I know I can stay up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/my-feelings-are-if-you-re-gonna-lead-a-rock-n-roll-lifestyle-don-t/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [We didn't invent this - this rock n' roll thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-fallon/we-didn-t-invent-this-this-rock-n-roll-thing/) [Brian Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-fallon/) > [I have a saying, which is, 'Crazy is good for business.' I think rock and roll really is about being a bit crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/i-have-a-saying-which-is-crazy-is-good-for-business-i-think-rock-and/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [There's no doubt arena shows are exciting, but you don't get that up close and personal kind of vibe, and that's what rock n'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-perry/there-s-no-doubt-arena-shows-are-exciting-but-you-don-t-get-that-up/) [Joe Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-perry/) > [“Food is the new rock and roll.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/food-is-the-new-rock-and-roll/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I had written a tune called 'Shake, Rattle and Roll,' but the white stations refused to play it - they thought it was low-class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-stone/i-had-written-a-tune-called-shake-rattle-and-roll-but-the-white/) [Jesse Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-stone/) > [I was a born rock n' roll sax player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-clemons/i-was-a-born-rock-n-roll-sax-player/) [Clarence Clemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-clemons/) > [Rock n roll is about drugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/rock-n-roll-is-about-drugs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [If you think you are too old to rock 'n roll, then you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemmy-kilmister/if-you-think-you-are-too-old-to-rock-n-roll-then-you-are/) [Lemmy Kilmister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemmy-kilmister/) > [I'm always into rock n' roll and indie rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mischa-barton/i-m-always-into-rock-n-roll-and-indie-rock/) [Mischa Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mischa-barton/) > [My era was '90s Carhartt-and-Timberlands hip-hop. That's my rock n' roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/my-era-was-90s-carhartt-and-timberlands-hip-hop-that-s-my-rock-n-roll/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) ## More by Bobby Keys > [You got to realize that the vision, the image, according to 1964 U.S. rock and roll standards, was mohair suit and tie, and nicey-nicey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/you-got-to-realize-that-the-vision-the-image-according-to-1964-u-s/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [When I talk about rock n' roll, to me, that goes back to the beginning of the 1950s. Blue suede shoes and sideburns, man.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/when-i-talk-about-rock-n-roll-to-me-that-goes-back-to-the-beginning/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I first went on the road with the Rolling Stones in the year of our Lord, 1969. But my grandfather gave me away to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-first-went-on-the-road-with-the-rolling-stones-in-the-year-of-our/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I play more rhythmically than I do a lot of notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-play-more-rhythmically-than-i-do-a-lot-of-notes/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [Sometimes, I play a round of extremely poor golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/sometimes-i-play-a-round-of-extremely-poor-golf/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I always loved Little Anthony and the Imperials. They were like the precursors of the Temptations. I loved their music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-always-loved-little-anthony-and-the-imperials-they-were-like-the/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I try to play the best I can every time I play. But there's just some folks that seem to draw a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-try-to-play-the-best-i-can-every-time-i-play-but-there-s-just-some/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [The first session I did with the Stones was an accident. I just happened to be wandering down the hallway of the same studio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/the-first-session-i-did-with-the-stones-was-an-accident-i-just/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [It's pretty scripted on the road: very organised and compartmentalised, and that's the way it has to be with so many people involved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/it-s-pretty-scripted-on-the-road-very-organised-and-compartmentalised/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I've never thought of my name at the top of the marquee in any particular terms other than, you know, slight bewilderment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-ve-never-thought-of-my-name-at-the-top-of-the-marquee-in-any/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [We just get up there and play rock-and-roll music, man. Everybody sweats and has a good time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/we-just-get-up-there-and-play-rock-and-roll-music-man-everybody/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I've played in bands with A-team players around. But unless they can play together, it doesn't do any good. And you can take guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-ve-played-in-bands-with-a-team-players-around-but-unless-they-can/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [If the people dig it, then I dig it. If the people wanna hear it, then I wanna play it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/if-the-people-dig-it-then-i-dig-it-if-the-people-wanna-hear-it-then-i/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [I played in the high school band. I was the one baritone saxophone out of 80 other people. No one could tell whether I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-played-in-the-high-school-band-i-was-the-one-baritone-saxophone-out/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [It doesn't matter how many times I've played 'Brown Sugar', I never get tired of playing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-times-i-ve-played-brown-sugar-i-never-get/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) [Explore all 21 Bobby Keys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) ## More Come quotes > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I've seen a lot of people come out of Carol City, but I had this distinct vision for Carol City, just me coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-curry/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-people-come-out-of-carol-city-but-i-had-this/) [Denzel Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-curry/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [If you've got some to say to Ric Flair, you come say it to me, and I'll make the translation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roddy-piper/if-you-ve-got-some-to-say-to-ric-flair-you-come-say-it-to-me-and-i-ll/) [Roddy Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roddy-piper/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Mihir is one of the most secure men that I have ever come across in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manini-mishra/mihir-is-one-of-the-most-secure-men-that-i-have-ever-come-across-in/) [Manini Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manini-mishra/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [We'd always come into Syracuse for the Empire State Games and the stair fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-biden/we-d-always-come-into-syracuse-for-the-empire-state-games-and-the/) [Beau Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-biden/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“More we know, more we come know that how less we know”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/souvik-khamrui/more-we-know-more-we-come-know-that-how-less-we-know/) [Souvik Khamrui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/souvik-khamrui/) > [I mean, you've kind of got the track down, especially with ovals. The only thing that improves is that when race conditions come, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danica-patrick/i-mean-you-ve-kind-of-got-the-track-down-especially-with-ovals-the/) [Danica Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danica-patrick/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [My preference is for people who come to rehearsal and get into the ring. I like a muscular actor who's playful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-mantello/my-preference-is-for-people-who-come-to-rehearsal-and-get-into-the/) [Joe Mantello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-mantello/) > [It's a great story for us whenever an entrepreneur makes a crazy amount of money and we get to tell the world about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/it-s-a-great-story-for-us-whenever-an-entrepreneur-makes-a-crazy/) [Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/) [Browse all 13,032 Come quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I can't read music. That's not where I come from musically. 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