--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Performing wasn’t something to fear; it…" description: "\"“Performing wasn’t something to fear; it was a merely a larger circle of collaboration. The more I communicated my joy to the audience, the more joy th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/carole-king-9344_fear_performing-wasn-t-something-to-fear-it-w_974458.png" --- # Performing wasn’t something to fear; it was a merely a… ![“Performing wasn’t something to fear; it was a merely a larger circle of collaboration. The more I communicated my joy to the audience, the more joy they communicated back to me.” quote by Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/carole-king-9344_fear_performing-wasn-t-something-to-fear-it-w_974458.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/carole-king-9344_fear_performing-wasn-t-something-to-fear-it-w_974458.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/carole-king-9344_fear_performing-wasn-t-something-to-fear-it-w_974458.png) > ““Performing wasn’t something to fear; it was a merely a larger circle of collaboration. The more I communicated my joy to the audience, the more joy they communicated back to me.”” [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sharing joy with an audience creates a feedback loop that amplifies collective happiness and reduces fear of performance. **In simple terms:** Joy shared grows and eases fear. Key Takeaway Share joy to build connection. Themes performance communication joy audience feedback Mood encouraging reflective Type motivational artistic When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - music - leadership - teamwork Key Concepts emotional contagion collaborative creativity Questions to Reflect On - How does audience feedback shape your confidence? - What practices help maintain joy on stage? A Different Perspective Fear may persist if audience response is negative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience-joy-764247/) [Communicated Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicated-joy-1894625/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Joy Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy-audience-1894626/) [Joy Communicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy-communicated-1894627/) [Performing Wasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performing-wasn-483075/) ## Related quotes > [I always try to have a positive and warm intention that is not about me. It is easy to make everything about yourself. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annaleigh-ashford/i-always-try-to-have-a-positive-and-warm-intention-that-is-not-about/) [Annaleigh Ashford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annaleigh-ashford/) > [You look out into the audience and you see so much joy on people's faces. You make eye contact with people who are almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mcvie/you-look-out-into-the-audience-and-you-see-so-much-joy-on-people-s/) [Christine McVie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mcvie/) > [It's a pleasure playing your big hit records and it's a real joy to see the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-fry/it-s-a-pleasure-playing-your-big-hit-records-and-it-s-a-real-joy-to/) [Martin Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-fry/) > [I'm more interested in pulling out strands of joy from both myself and the audience. I'm not saying the music or songs are "light,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gira/i-m-more-interested-in-pulling-out-strands-of-joy-from-both-myself/) [Michael Gira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gira/) > [Bringing humor and bringing happiness and joy to an audience is a wonderful opportunity in life, believe me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-lansbury/bringing-humor-and-bringing-happiness-and-joy-to-an-audience-is-a/) [Angela Lansbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-lansbury/) > [I had been performing since I was 5, so it wasn't like I hadn't been on a stage before. I was always older than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-cara/i-had-been-performing-since-i-was-5-so-it-wasn-t-like-i-hadn-t-been/) [Irene Cara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-cara/) > [I knew what I wanted to do, which was to become a recording artist, so I definitely felt like I had a calling. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-pink/i-knew-what-i-wanted-to-do-which-was-to-become-a-recording-artist-so/) [Ariel Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-pink/) > [I came back to performing with a different attitude about performing and myself. I wasn't expecting perfection any more, just hoping for an occasional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-came-back-to-performing-with-a-different-attitude-about-performing/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [When I started performing, there wasn't Facebook and Social Media was not huge as it is now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-zahara-benet/when-i-started-performing-there-wasn-t-facebook-and-social-media-was/) [BeBe Zahara Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-zahara-benet/) > [If I wasn't performing, I wasn't alive. That's the truth. My parents had absolutely no interest in the business, but they knew it made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-barks/if-i-wasn-t-performing-i-wasn-t-alive-that-s-the-truth-my-parents-had/) [Samantha Barks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-barks/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) ## More by Carole King > [It is very common with artists who are of a generation that has already gone by to get overly concerned with, Oh my God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/it-is-very-common-with-artists-who-are-of-a-generation-that-has/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [In my career I have never felt that my being a woman was an obstacle or an advantage. I guess I've been oblivious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/in-my-career-i-have-never-felt-that-my-being-a-woman-was-an-obstacle/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [Today's records, even though they may be lyrically repetitive and not saying anything particularly heavy, they have energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/today-s-records-even-though-they-may-be-lyrically-repetitive-and-not/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [Sensitive, humbug. Everybody thinks I'm sensitive. Wait until they hear my new album.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/sensitive-humbug-everybody-thinks-i-m-sensitive-wait-until-they-hear/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [I should be used to these things...but usually there are more friendly faces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/i-should-be-used-to-these-things-but-usually-there-are-more-friendly/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [One of the things that I try to be conscious about in crafting a song is the concept of bringing it home. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/one-of-the-things-that-i-try-to-be-conscious-about-in-crafting-a-song/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [Scary in the idea it could be a little overwhelming to have 70 or 100 clowns in a public space. Intriguing in that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/scary-in-the-idea-it-could-be-a-little-overwhelming-to-have-70-or-100/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [I didn't want to be an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/i-didn-t-want-to-be-an-artist/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [I went to the High School for Performing Arts in New York for acting. I've studied it on and off for years and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/i-went-to-the-high-school-for-performing-arts-in-new-york-for-acting/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [Not only do you want to leave the audience wanting more, you want to leave yourself wanting more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/not-only-do-you-want-to-leave-the-audience-wanting-more-you-want-to/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [I listen to both oldies and contemporary stations. I enjoy listening to current stuff because there's an energy to it that's inspiring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/i-listen-to-both-oldies-and-contemporary-stations-i-enjoy-listening/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [I write heavily under the influence of James Taylor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/i-write-heavily-under-the-influence-of-james-taylor/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [I'm like a plant, I reach for the sun...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/i-m-like-a-plant-i-reach-for-the-sun/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [It used to be so easy living here with you. You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do. Now you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/it-used-to-be-so-easy-living-here-with-you-you-were-light-and-breezy/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) > [The song is the center ; the song is the key. If you don't have a good song you don't have anything by my value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-king/the-song-is-the-center-the-song-is-the-key-if-you-don-t-have-a-good/) [Carole King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) [Explore all 73 Carole King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-king/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. 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Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. 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