--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By 17, I had a whole band that would go…" description: "\"By 17, I had a whole band that would go in and play. It was called Spontaneous Inventions, after a Bobby McFerrin album.\" — Brian McKnight" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/brian-mcknight-8171_albums_by-17-i-had-a-whole-band-that-would-go-i_1006721.png" --- # By 17, I had a whole band that would go in and play. It… ![“By 17, I had a whole band that would go in and play. It was called Spontaneous Inventions, after a Bobby McFerrin album.” quote by Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/brian-mcknight-8171_albums_by-17-i-had-a-whole-band-that-would-go-i_1006721.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/brian-mcknight-8171_albums_by-17-i-had-a-whole-band-that-would-go-i_1006721.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/brian-mcknight-8171_albums_by-17-i-had-a-whole-band-that-would-go-i_1006721.png) > “By 17, I had a whole band that would go in and play. It was called Spontaneous Inventions, after a Bobby McFerrin album.” [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young musician formed a band named after a Bobby McFerrin album, highlighting early creative drive and homage to influences. **In simple terms:** A teen started a band named after an album. Key Takeaway Embrace early passions and pay tribute to inspirations. Themes creativity music homage Mood enthusiastic nostalgic Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - school projects - garage bands - music collaborations Key Concepts band formation influence early career Questions to Reflect On - What inspired the band name? - How can early passions shape later work? A Different Perspective Early enthusiasm may wane without sustained support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [17 Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/17-band-2160870/) [Albums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/albums/) [Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/band/) [Band Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/band-play-254750/) [Called Spontaneous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-spontaneous-2160872/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Inventions Bobby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inventions-bobby-2160873/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Spontaneous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spontaneous/) [Spontaneous Inventions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spontaneous-inventions-2160871/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [By the time I was 17, I was in a band, writing songs and playing solo piano at weekends, in pubs or at weddings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chesney-hawkes/by-the-time-i-was-17-i-was-in-a-band-writing-songs-and-playing-solo/) [Chesney Hawkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chesney-hawkes/) > [I think I have a disease called spontaneous disclosure. I need to tell everyone my life story instantaneously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/i-think-i-have-a-disease-called-spontaneous-disclosure-i-need-to-tell/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [When primitive law has once been embodied in a Code, there is an end to what may be called its spontaneous development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james-sumner-maine/when-primitive-law-has-once-been-embodied-in-a-code-there-is-an-end/) [Henry James Sumner Maine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james-sumner-maine/) > [The girl who can't dance says the band can't play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yiddish-proverb/the-girl-who-can-t-dance-says-the-band-can-t-play/) [Yiddish Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yiddish-proverb/) > [When I produce other people, that's the thing I can do well because I've been in a band, and I can play the political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/when-i-produce-other-people-that-s-the-thing-i-can-do-well-because-i/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [I listen to everything that comes in. I'm not real worried about demo sound quality. I can hear through that sort of thing. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-ginn/i-listen-to-everything-that-comes-in-i-m-not-real-worried-about-demo/) [Greg Ginn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-ginn/) > [Usually when festivals are really huge it's kind of weird. It's totally fun for me and my band to play in front of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-demarco/usually-when-festivals-are-really-huge-it-s-kind-of-weird-it-s/) [Mac DeMarco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-demarco/) > [We could perform in space or be the first band to play moon, but we want to be the first 'Star Wars' band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/we-could-perform-in-space-or-be-the-first-band-to-play-moon-but-we/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [A band is a real band if they can play not just their songs, but they can just play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shavo-odadjian/a-band-is-a-real-band-if-they-can-play-not-just-their-songs-but-they/) [Shavo Odadjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shavo-odadjian/) > [I wanted to have a band that could rock as hard as the Who and sing like the Beatles and the Beach Boys; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-carmen/i-wanted-to-have-a-band-that-could-rock-as-hard-as-the-who-and-sing/) [Eric Carmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-carmen/) > [We don't sound like a Mississippi Delta band, but we play what we mean, and that's the spirit of the blues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/we-don-t-sound-like-a-mississippi-delta-band-but-we-play-what-we-mean/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) > [When I was going to high school, in the high school band we would play these kind of hour-long concerts for our parents. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-townsend/when-i-was-going-to-high-school-in-the-high-school-band-we-would-play/) [Devin Townsend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devin-townsend/) > [We showed record companies that they shouldn't be scared just because it's an all-girl band. We could play just as well as the boys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-schock/we-showed-record-companies-that-they-shouldn-t-be-scared-just-because/) [Gina Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-schock/) > [We want to start a 'Flash' band. Everyone can play an instrument and sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/we-want-to-start-a-flash-band-everyone-can-play-an-instrument-and-sing/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [You shouldn't even be in a band if you can't play Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/you-shouldn-t-even-be-in-a-band-if-you-can-t-play-buddy-holly-s-not/) [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) ## More by Brian McKnight > [I've worked with jazz artists, country artists, classical artists, pop artists. I never wanted there to be categories, because when I was a kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-ve-worked-with-jazz-artists-country-artists-classical-artists-pop/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I hope at some point in my career when my name is mentioned, someone will say "Oh yeah he has a good song!" I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-hope-at-some-point-in-my-career-when-my-name-is-mentioned-someone/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Most of the stuff I learned to play, I learned in high school. I had a band in high school, a jazz-fusion thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/most-of-the-stuff-i-learned-to-play-i-learned-in-high-school-i-had-a/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Every little kid that steps on the court or the field has aspirations to go pro. I think being a pro basketball player is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/every-little-kid-that-steps-on-the-court-or-the-field-has-aspirations/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [He knows I rip him off every day. He's the godfather for me. Nobody can say they aren't influenced by what Stevie Wonder has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/he-knows-i-rip-him-off-every-day-he-s-the-godfather-for-me-nobody-can/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I wanted to put jazz on the record, all the loves of music that I had on the record, so I could show people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-wanted-to-put-jazz-on-the-record-all-the-loves-of-music-that-i-had/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I do not wear my emotions on my sleeve; I write about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-do-not-wear-my-emotions-on-my-sleeve-i-write-about-them/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I am just like all the jerks and idiots you know. I am just a guy that watches sports all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-am-just-like-all-the-jerks-and-idiots-you-know-i-am-just-a-guy-that/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I should know better but its just not the case.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-should-know-better-but-its-just-not-the-case/) [Brian Mcknight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I am at my core a singer/songwriter a la James Taylor or a la Billy Joel. It's not that I don't want to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-am-at-my-core-a-singer-songwriter-a-la-james-taylor-or-a-la-billy/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [People don't like when you point out to them and remind them that they're not very smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/people-don-t-like-when-you-point-out-to-them-and-remind-them-that/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Stevie didn't use the technology to drive the song. He used it to enhance. I use the tools to further my work, I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/stevie-didn-t-use-the-technology-to-drive-the-song-he-used-it-to/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I was a nerd academically. But I was also an athlete and a musician. I never wanted to be shut out of any situation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-was-a-nerd-academically-but-i-was-also-an-athlete-and-a-musician-i/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [I think I'd have to say my favorite IWC. They have been around for so long and the craftsmanship is top notch. A watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-think-i-d-have-to-say-my-favorite-iwc-they-have-been-around-for-so/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [A lot of musicians put diamonds on things to show they had money. I on the other had felt that Daytona showed I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/a-lot-of-musicians-put-diamonds-on-things-to-show-they-had-money-i-on/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) [Explore all 83 Brian McKnight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) ## More Albums quotes > [Check out the albums, ... Check out the live performances. That's the reality of it all. Music is such an energizing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayall/check-out-the-albums-check-out-the-live-performances-that-s-the/) [John Mayall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayall/) > [It's been really fun to see with each album when I change to see the fans of the show emulate my style and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avril-lavigne/it-s-been-really-fun-to-see-with-each-album-when-i-change-to-see-the/) [Avril Lavigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avril-lavigne/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [The weird thing was that Soft Cell was supposed to have come and gone before I started the album.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-almond/the-weird-thing-was-that-soft-cell-was-supposed-to-have-come-and-gone/) [Marc Almond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-almond/) > [I believe in full albums, and whatever comes out of those full albums will come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roddy-ricch/i-believe-in-full-albums-and-whatever-comes-out-of-those-full-albums/) [Roddy Ricch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roddy-ricch/) > [Doing my own album provided me the opportunity to say whatever I wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-marx/doing-my-own-album-provided-me-the-opportunity-to-say-whatever-i/) [Richard Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-marx/) > [The album is a definite departure. I haven't written original material before, except for one song on my first album, but Elvis and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-krall/the-album-is-a-definite-departure-i-haven-t-written-original-material/) [Diana Krall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-krall/) > [I never do any album to beat it. I do it to extend it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-never-do-any-album-to-beat-it-i-do-it-to-extend-it/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [I love Katy Perry! She gave me a song for my second album.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/i-love-katy-perry-she-gave-me-a-song-for-my-second-album/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [If you're going to reach for it, reach all the way for it. Albums like 'Purple Rain' and 'Thriller' and those kind of records,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-sitek/if-you-re-going-to-reach-for-it-reach-all-the-way-for-it-albums-like/) [Dave Sitek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-sitek/) > [I'll put out an album, and people review it, and some people love it, and some people tear it apart. By nature of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/girl-talk/i-ll-put-out-an-album-and-people-review-it-and-some-people-love-it/) [Girl Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/girl-talk/) > [I've been connected to the most culturally important albums of the past four years, the most influential artists of the past ten years. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-ve-been-connected-to-the-most-culturally-important-albums-of-the/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [George Winston piano albums have been my go-to since junior high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/george-winston-piano-albums-have-been-my-go-to-since-junior-high/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [Someone told me once that Lucinda Williams takes six years between albums, and that's what stuck to me; it's like, you really are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/someone-told-me-once-that-lucinda-williams-takes-six-years-between/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Now I'm having to live with sales of around 50,000 per album - but I'm pretty content with my place in the general scheme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-knopfler/now-i-m-having-to-live-with-sales-of-around-50-000-per-album-but-i-m/) [David Knopfler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-knopfler/) [Browse all 2,275 Albums quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/albums/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "By 17, I had a whole band that would go in and play. 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