--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Plus, you know, when I was young, there…" description: "\"Plus, you know, when I was young, there was a lot of respect for clowning in rock music - look at Little Richard. It was a part of the whole thing, and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bruce-springsteen-546_audience_plus-you-know-when-i-was-young-there-was_2108274.jpg" --- # Plus, you know, when I was young, there was a lot of… ![“Plus, you know, when I was young, there was a lot of respect for clowning in rock music - look at Little Richard. It was a part of the whole thing, and I always also believed that it released the audience.” quote by Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bruce-springsteen-546_audience_plus-you-know-when-i-was-young-there-was_2108274.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bruce-springsteen-546_audience_plus-you-know-when-i-was-young-there-was_2108274.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bruce-springsteen-546_audience_plus-you-know-when-i-was-young-there-was_2108274.jpg) > “Plus, you know, when I was young, there was a lot of respect for clowning in rock music - look at Little Richard. It was a part of the whole thing, and I always also believed that it released the audience.” [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on how early rock performances blended theatricality, using clowning to engage audiences and break norms. **In simple terms:** Rock shows used humor to connect with fans. Key Takeaway Embrace performance flair to energize audiences. Themes music performance culture theatricality Mood energetic nostalgic Type observational reflective When to use this quote - concert planning - stage design - artist branding - fan engagement Key Concepts rock history audience dynamics artist identity Questions to Reflect On - How can artists balance showmanship with musical integrity? - What role does humor play in live music? A Different Perspective Over-reliance on gimmicks can distract from musical substance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Clowning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clowning/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Rock music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-music/) ## Related quotes > [ I don't know if I know anyone, with the exception of the early inventors of rock music \[who wasn't influenced by something\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-don-t-know-if-i-know-anyone-with-the-exception-of-the-early/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I heard a political message in rock music. A liberation message. A message of freedom. I heard it in Elvis' voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-heard-a-political-message-in-rock-music-a-liberation-message-a/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The wonderful thing about rock music is even if you hate the other person, sometimes you need him more, you know. In other words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-wonderful-thing-about-rock-music-is-even-if-you-hate-the-other/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [T-Bone Burnett once said that much of rock music is simply someone going wahhh daddy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/t-bone-burnett-once-said-that-much-of-rock-music-is-simply-someone/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The first people I ever saw were probably Little Richard and Gene Vincent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-wood/the-first-people-i-ever-saw-were-probably-little-richard-and-gene/) [Roy Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-wood/) > [When Little Richard used to stand up and play it was just fabulous, and Liberace had the candlesticks and the rings and the gift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/when-little-richard-used-to-stand-up-and-play-it-was-just-fabulous/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Elvis inspired my sideburns, but Little Richard inspired me for vocals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemmy/elvis-inspired-my-sideburns-but-little-richard-inspired-me-for-vocals/) [Lemmy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemmy/) > [No man had ever knocked little Richard down. But of course Ammm was not a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/no-man-had-ever-knocked-little-richard-down-but-of-course-ammm-was/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Rock and roll came into my life when I was about 12, 13, when Little Richard and Chuck Berry had just started hitting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-cocker/rock-and-roll-came-into-my-life-when-i-was-about-12-13-when-little/) [Joe Cocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-cocker/) > [I love a little Richard Brautigan poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-rowe/i-love-a-little-richard-brautigan-poetry/) [Camille Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-rowe/) > [Joe Morello, my dad was really into him and Little Richard's drummer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-bonham/joe-morello-my-dad-was-really-into-him-and-little-richard-s-drummer/) [Jason Bonham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-bonham/) > [When I was 9 years old, I wanted to be the baritone sax player in the Little Richard band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/when-i-was-9-years-old-i-wanted-to-be-the-baritone-sax-player-in-the/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [Ain't nobody more punk rock than Robert Johnson, Lead Belly, even Little Richard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fantastic-negrito/ain-t-nobody-more-punk-rock-than-robert-johnson-lead-belly-even/) [Fantastic Negrito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fantastic-negrito/) > [Little Richard played my uncle on 'Full House.' He's fabulous. I remember him being incredibly kind to me. I just remember him being super,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurnee-smollett-bell/little-richard-played-my-uncle-on-full-house-he-s-fabulous-i-remember/) [Jurnee Smollett-Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurnee-smollett-bell/) > [Little Richard opens his mouth, and out comes liberation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-van-zandt/little-richard-opens-his-mouth-and-out-comes-liberation/) [Steven Van Zandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-van-zandt/) ## More by Bruce Springsteen > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [When I die throw my body in the back and drive me to the junk yard in my Cadillac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-i-die-throw-my-body-in-the-back-and-drive-me-to-the-junk-yard-in/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [When you start talking about elections being rigged, you're pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it's a very, very dangerous thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-you-start-talking-about-elections-being-rigged-you-re-pushing/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I got Mary pregnant and man that's all she wrote. And for my 19th birthday, I got a union card and a factory coat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-got-mary-pregnant-and-man-that-s-all-she-wrote-and-for-my-19th/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [ I don't know if I know anyone, with the exception of the early inventors of rock music \[who wasn't influenced by something\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-don-t-know-if-i-know-anyone-with-the-exception-of-the-early/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [People see you onstage and, yeah, I'd want to be that guy.I want to be that guy myself very often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/people-see-you-onstage-and-yeah-i-d-want-to-be-that-guy-i-want-to-be/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [You know, my music utilizes things from the past, because that's what the past is for. It's to learn from. It's not to limit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/you-know-my-music-utilizes-things-from-the-past-because-that-s-what/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [From the town of Lincoln Nebraska with a sawed off .410 on my lap, through the Badlands of Wyoming I killed everything in my path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/from-the-town-of-lincoln-nebraska-with-a-sawed-off-410-on-my-lap/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I want a thousand guitars . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-want-a-thousand-guitars/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [In America everything's about who's number one today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/in-america-everything-s-about-who-s-number-one-today/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [A pop song is a condensed version of a life in three minutes, whereas, when you go to write your prose, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/a-pop-song-is-a-condensed-version-of-a-life-in-three-minutes-whereas/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I walked a thousand miles just to slip this skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-walked-a-thousand-miles-just-to-slip-this-skin/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The moment you begin to depend on audience reaction, you're doing the wrong thing. You're doin' it wrong, it's a mistake, it's not right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-moment-you-begin-to-depend-on-audience-reaction-you-re-doing-the/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The name 'Boss' started with people that worked for me... It was not meant like Boss, capital B, it was meant like 'Boss, where's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-name-boss-started-with-people-that-worked-for-me-it-was-not-meant/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-country-we-carry-in-our-hearts-is-waiting/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) [Explore all 484 Bruce Springsteen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I feel I have been playing all primary characters. And if your character forms a connect with the audience, it doesn't matter if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angad-bedi/i-feel-i-have-been-playing-all-primary-characters-and-if-your/) [Angad Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angad-bedi/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) [Browse all 9,118 Audience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Plus, you know, when I was young, there was a lot of respect for clowning in rock music - look at Little Richard. 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