--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Music used to be essential and…" description: "\"Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it's disposable.\" — Brian McKnight" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png" --- # Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it's… ![“Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it's disposable.” quote by Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png) > “Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it's disposable.” [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. Music once held deep personal and cultural significance, now it is often treated as a disposable commodity. **In simple terms:** Music’s value has become fleeting. Key Takeaway Seek deeper connections with music beyond surface consumption. Themes culture commercialization artistic value Mood contemplative nostalgic Type critical observational When to use this quote - personal playlists - live concerts - music education - artist support initiatives Key Concepts media studies consumer behavior technology impact Questions to Reflect On - What habits can restore reverence for music? - How does technology reshape our relationship with art? A Different Perspective The convenience of streaming can erode appreciation of artistic depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disposable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposable/) [Essential Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essential-meaningful-970430/) [Essentials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essentials/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Meaningful Disposable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful-disposable-970429/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-used-304154/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-to-be/) ## Related quotes > [Passion is essential for a meaningful existence. Life is about what you feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-cainer/passion-is-essential-for-a-meaningful-existence-life-is-about-what/) [Jonathan Cainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-cainer/) > [As long as music of mine is not used to preach hate, or to bash women, it's okay for me. If it doesn't promote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelique-kidjo/as-long-as-music-of-mine-is-not-used-to-preach-hate-or-to-bash-women/) [Angelique Kidjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelique-kidjo/) > [Music should be used for the perception of God, not jitterbugging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/music-should-be-used-for-the-perception-of-god-not-jitterbugging/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [My music has been used in halftime at football games, and it's been used in high fashion shows, and its been used in 'take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peaches/my-music-has-been-used-in-halftime-at-football-games-and-it-s-been/) [Peaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peaches/) > [My dad taught me about music. He used to tap dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-davies/my-dad-taught-me-about-music-he-used-to-tap-dance/) [Ray Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-davies/) > [Music was always there on the side. I used to come home from school during weekends and perform at events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonita-gandhi/music-was-always-there-on-the-side-i-used-to-come-home-from-school/) [Jonita Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonita-gandhi/) > [Kids are taking music for free all the time. They have Spotify, Pandora... The record companies aren't making the kind of music that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-d-lee/kids-are-taking-music-for-free-all-the-time-they-have-spotify-pandora/) [Malcolm D. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-d-lee/) > [The '60s was one of the first times the power of music was used by a generation to bind them together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/the-60s-was-one-of-the-first-times-the-power-of-music-was-used-by-a/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [I really like world music. I used to think it was simple but it's far from that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-holmes/i-really-like-world-music-i-used-to-think-it-was-simple-but-it-s-far/) [Jake Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-holmes/) > [There is no music that can't be used politically, but the motives behind the creation of that music can be non-political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earle-brown/there-is-no-music-that-can-t-be-used-politically-but-the-motives/) [Earle Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earle-brown/) > [Often times, music is used to evoke an emotion and it's become a cliche, so I don't want to do that, and actually what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asghar-farhadi/often-times-music-is-used-to-evoke-an-emotion-and-it-s-become-a/) [Asghar Farhadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asghar-farhadi/) > [The music I used to make was a lot more rock, so I come from this background of head banging a lot, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/the-music-i-used-to-make-was-a-lot-more-rock-so-i-come-from-this/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [We do not let our music get used in commercials for commercial products.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-d/we-do-not-let-our-music-get-used-in-commercials-for-commercial/) [Mike D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-d/) > [I think music is something that can, and should, be used to get you into different things because eventually what goes up must come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-think-music-is-something-that-can-and-should-be-used-to-get-you/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [It's very interesting to see how the music is used, as sometimes you have composed something with a very different intention, and then suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludovico-einaudi/it-s-very-interesting-to-see-how-the-music-is-used-as-sometimes-you/) [Ludovico Einaudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludovico-einaudi/) ## 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. 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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 Disposable quotes > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Dick Clark was a really great influence in my career; he helped me a lot with his whole organization, and they were awesome to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyndi-lauper/dick-clark-was-a-really-great-influence-in-my-career-he-helped-me-a/) [Cyndi Lauper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyndi-lauper/) > [I'm a complete addict of The 'X Factor,' so I can see why everyone gets so inspired. But there's a downside to celebrity: your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-quick/i-m-a-complete-addict-of-the-x-factor-so-i-can-see-why-everyone-gets/) [Diana Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-quick/) > [Like the panic stricken populace of 'The War of the Worlds' and countless other 1950s invasion movies, the victims are there to provide the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-tudor/like-the-panic-stricken-populace-of-the-war-of-the-worlds-and/) [Andrew Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-tudor/) > [Well, it's not really the right word, but freedom is kind of a hobby with me, and I have disposable income that I'll spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/well-it-s-not-really-the-right-word-but-freedom-is-kind-of-a-hobby/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I'm an actor for hire. It's important not to forget that you're disposable…When you have that mentality, you fight for the jobs you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-johansson/i-m-an-actor-for-hire-it-s-important-not-to-forget-that-you-re/) [Scarlett Johansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-johansson/) > [With the Internet, bands can come and go every five minutes and the music looks disposable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/with-the-internet-bands-can-come-and-go-every-five-minutes-and-the/) [Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/) > [Theories are just disposable tools in the production of knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-castells/theories-are-just-disposable-tools-in-the-production-of-knowledge/) [Manuel Castells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-castells/) > [Nowadays music is as disposable as a McDonald's wrapper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-beck/nowadays-music-is-as-disposable-as-a-mcdonald-s-wrapper/) [Jeff Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-beck/) > [The first time I had disposable income, the two things I cared most about were a television and a couch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-meyers/the-first-time-i-had-disposable-income-the-two-things-i-cared-most/) [Seth Meyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-meyers/) > [The next step after cheap is free, and after free is disposable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-joy/the-next-step-after-cheap-is-free-and-after-free-is-disposable/) [Bill Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-joy/) > [There is no worse material poverty than one that does not allow for earning one’s bread and deprives one of the dignity of work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/there-is-no-worse-material-poverty-than-one-that-does-not-allow-for/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [When animals do something noble we say they are behaving ‘like humans’. When humans do something disgusting we say they are behaving ‘like animals’.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-wollen/when-animals-do-something-noble-we-say-they-are-behaving-like-humans/) [Philip Wollen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-wollen/) > [I feel sorry for these kids in bands. Everything is so disposable nowadays. These kids don't even get 15 minutes of fame, it's like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zakk-wylde/i-feel-sorry-for-these-kids-in-bands-everything-is-so-disposable/) [Zakk Wylde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zakk-wylde/) > [If the labourer consumes his disposable time for himself, he robs the capitalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-the-labourer-consumes-his-disposable-time-for-himself-he-robs-the/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) [Browse all 164 Disposable quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposable/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it's disposable.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brian McKnight" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningful-but-now-it-s-disposable/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Disposable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningful-but-now-it-s-disposable/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/brian-mcknight-8171_disposable_music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningfu_2491631.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Music used to be essential and meaningful, but now it's disposable.” — Brian McKnight", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brian McKnight", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Music used to be essential and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningful-but-now-it-s-disposable/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/music-used-to-be-essential-and-meaningful-but-now-it-s-disposable/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```