--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started writing my own things when I…" description: "\"I started writing my own things when I was about 8. I used to try to bully my friends into imitating the Spice Girls on the playground. Then I realized..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/charli-xcx-1863_bully_i-started-writing-my-own-things-when-i-w_195878.jpg" --- # I started writing my own things when I was about 8. I used… ![“I started writing my own things when I was about 8. I used to try to bully my friends into imitating the Spice Girls on the playground. Then I realized, Oh god, my career's going nowhere, so I looked in the Yellow Pages and phoned up the first cheap studio that I found and started recording.” quote by Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/charli-xcx-1863_bully_i-started-writing-my-own-things-when-i-w_195878.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/charli-xcx-1863_bully_i-started-writing-my-own-things-when-i-w_195878.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/charli-xcx-1863_bully_i-started-writing-my-own-things-when-i-w_195878.jpg) > “I started writing my own things when I was about 8. I used to try to bully my friends into imitating the Spice Girls on the playground. Then I realized, Oh god, my career's going nowhere, so I looked in the Yellow Pages and phoned up the first cheap studio that I found and started recording.” [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She began creating music early, using playful imitation and DIY recording to launch a career despite uncertainty. **In simple terms:** Started making music young, using cheap studio to start. Key Takeaway Take initiative and use available resources. Themes creativity self‑start DIY career beginnings playfulness Mood energetic optimistic reflective Type personal motivational When to use this quote - school projects - home studios - online platforms - networking Key Concepts music production personal branding early ambition Questions to Reflect On - How can early experimentation shape artistic identity? - What resources are most effective for beginners? A Different Perspective Lack of formal training can limit technical skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bully/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [I realized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-realized/) [Oh god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh-god/) [Spice girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spice-girls/) [Started Recording](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-recording-562560/) [Started Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-writing/) [Studio Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/studio-started-933796/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-things/) ## Related quotes > [I started a recording studio. I started producing people and doing remixes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/i-started-a-recording-studio-i-started-producing-people-and-doing/) [James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/) > [I started writing my own things when I was about 8.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-started-writing-my-own-things-when-i-was-about-8/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I just went into my studio and started to compile stuff. I was so happy with what was coming out that good momentum just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-benante/i-just-went-into-my-studio-and-started-to-compile-stuff-i-was-so/) [Charlie Benante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-benante/) > [I wanted to go back to writing for myself and my fans. I built my own recording studio, started my own label, and decided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-perry/i-wanted-to-go-back-to-writing-for-myself-and-my-fans-i-built-my-own/) [Linda Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-perry/) > [I got out of high school, bought a recording studio and started operating it as an engineer and a producer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-bone-burnett/i-got-out-of-high-school-bought-a-recording-studio-and-started/) [T Bone Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-bone-burnett/) > [I used to try to bully my friends into imitating the Spice Girls on the playground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-used-to-try-to-bully-my-friends-into-imitating-the-spice-girls-on/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I feel like my perception has changed a little because when I was posting stuff online it was an extension of my studio and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalup-linzy/i-feel-like-my-perception-has-changed-a-little-because-when-i-was/) [Kalup Linzy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalup-linzy/) > [I was in the playground, like, 'Let's imitate the Spice Girls and form a girl group!' I would go home and sing into my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-was-in-the-playground-like-let-s-imitate-the-spice-girls-and-form-a/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I don't spend that much time in the studio. When I first started doing music, I was in the studio every day just trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fetty-wap/i-don-t-spend-that-much-time-in-the-studio-when-i-first-started-doing/) [Fetty Wap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fetty-wap/) > [My favorite video of all time is 'Say You'll Be There' by the Spice Girls. That's the best styling ever. If I could dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/my-favorite-video-of-all-time-is-say-you-ll-be-there-by-the-spice/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I was practically born and raised at 20th Century Fox studio, started to work there selling papers when I was around seven years old,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-zanuck/i-was-practically-born-and-raised-at-20th-century-fox-studio-started/) [Richard D. Zanuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-d-zanuck/) > [I started recording in my sophomore year in high school. I recorded things on my cell phone in my basement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juice-wrld/i-started-recording-in-my-sophomore-year-in-high-school-i-recorded/) [Juice Wrld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juice-wrld/) > [I had to get the voice back, the precise pitch of Sid's voice and I'd forgotten that I'd pitched him higher than my regular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-had-to-get-the-voice-back-the-precise-pitch-of-sid-s-voice-and-i-d/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [Even before I wrote any songs, I had this idea of a triangle where the voice was at the top, some sort of guitar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/panda-bear/even-before-i-wrote-any-songs-i-had-this-idea-of-a-triangle-where-the/) [Panda Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/panda-bear/) > [When I started recording, I thought I'd be able to do all kinds of records: jazz, country, dance - and I've always wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-jones/when-i-started-recording-i-thought-i-d-be-able-to-do-all-kinds-of/) [Tom Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-jones/) ## More by Charli XCX > [The first show I did with Coldplay was really scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/the-first-show-i-did-with-coldplay-was-really-scary/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [Females should stand by each other, especially in an industry which seems to try so hard to pin us up against each other and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/females-should-stand-by-each-other-especially-in-an-industry-which/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I always think about fashion when it comes to making music and music videos... what the colours will look like, what the material will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-always-think-about-fashion-when-it-comes-to-making-music-and-music/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [Pop music is getting so emo. It's great. Emotional girl for life. I see myself in the centre of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/pop-music-is-getting-so-emo-it-s-great-emotional-girl-for-life-i-see/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I wrote a song for Icona Pop which boosted my confidence quite a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-wrote-a-song-for-icona-pop-which-boosted-my-confidence-quite-a-lot/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I just want people to feel the emotion that's in the record. For me it's very raw and beautiful, I guess it's kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-just-want-people-to-feel-the-emotion-that-s-in-the-record-for-me-it/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [When I got signed, I had just turned 16. I felt like I had to continuously have these confrontations with older men who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/when-i-got-signed-i-had-just-turned-16-i-felt-like-i-had-to/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [From the moment I stepped into this industry, I've always had to fight for my ideas and for my voice to be heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/from-the-moment-i-stepped-into-this-industry-i-ve-always-had-to-fight/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [To be honest, for me, my main workout is when I'm on stage. Even though I make pop music, I don't think I perform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/to-be-honest-for-me-my-main-workout-is-when-i-m-on-stage-even-though/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I don't want to be a pop star. I want to be a nursery-rhyme star!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-don-t-want-to-be-a-pop-star-i-want-to-be-a-nursery-rhyme-star/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I've wanted to write good pop music, beautiful pop music - not just throwaways. I've always wanted to make it sound luscious and beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-ve-wanted-to-write-good-pop-music-beautiful-pop-music-not-just/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I had this dream to be a rapper when I was younger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-had-this-dream-to-be-a-rapper-when-i-was-younger/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I've always played it my way. I failed media training, for example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-ve-always-played-it-my-way-i-failed-media-training-for-example/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [My one thing is respect. I don't care about anything else. You should respect everyone around you - the people who work for you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/my-one-thing-is-respect-i-don-t-care-about-anything-else-you-should/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [I'm not good at being a picture-perfect pop star, happy all the time. If I'm having a bad day, I can't pretend. I'm always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-m-not-good-at-being-a-picture-perfect-pop-star-happy-all-the-time/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) [Explore all 203 Charli XCX quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) ## More Bully quotes > [I never caught on to being a bully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/i-never-caught-on-to-being-a-bully/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [ \[Putin\] is a bully. And bullies only understand when we punch them in the nose, but we need to do that economically. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ayotte/putin-is-a-bully-and-bullies-only-understand-when-we-punch-them-in/) [Kelly Ayotte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ayotte/) > [Bullies enjoy dark happiness; these are the blank parts that eventually fill their minds with nothingness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-shanks/bullies-enjoy-dark-happiness-these-are-the-blank-parts-that/) [Emily Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-shanks/) > [“You fed us, washed us, forced that vile medicine down our throats. By sheer force of will you made some of us live who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-osborne/you-fed-us-washed-us-forced-that-vile-medicine-down-our-throats-by/) [Maggie Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-osborne/) > [Nothing can prepare you for living or working with a sociopathic serial bully. It is the most devastating, draining, misunderstood, and ultimately futile experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/nothing-can-prepare-you-for-living-or-working-with-a-sociopathic/) [Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/) > [John McCain is a liar and flip-flopper and panderer and bully and whiner. And it seems to be working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tomasky/john-mccain-is-a-liar-and-flip-flopper-and-panderer-and-bully-and/) [Michael Tomasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tomasky/) > [Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/democracy-becomes-a-government-of-bullies-tempered-by-editors/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I daydreamed that when you grow up there are more bullies and how wonderful that would be if it were true, but, it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-daydreamed-that-when-you-grow-up-there-are-more-bullies-and-how/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [The real problem with Donald Trump is, if you engage him, it will only make things worse. It's like - it's a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-walter/the-real-problem-with-donald-trump-is-if-you-engage-him-it-will-only/) [Amy Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-walter/) > [It won't ruin our movement if someone gets killed in an animal rights action. It's going to happen sooner or later. The Animal Liberation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-vlasak/it-won-t-ruin-our-movement-if-someone-gets-killed-in-an-animal-rights/) [Jerry Vlasak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-vlasak/) > [It's the bully who is insecure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/it-s-the-bully-who-is-insecure/) [Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/) > [Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/knowing-what-s-right-doesn-t-mean-much-unless-you-do-what-s-right/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [“Jilly looked at it with a sinking heart. It was difficult enough when the exotic, undeniably gorgeous creature of her fantasies had turned out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-stuart/jilly-looked-at-it-with-a-sinking-heart-it-was-difficult-enough-when/) [Anne Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-stuart/) > [Always be a first-rate version of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) [Browse all 729 Bully quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bully/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started writing my own things when I was about 8. I used to try to bully my friends into imitating the Spice Girls on the playground. 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