---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first started, I wasn't really…"
description: "\"When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in the industry or aware of who I really was. I just put my music out there and tried to get as..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg"
---

#  When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in…

![“When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in the industry or aware of who I really was. I just put my music out there and tried to get as many people to hear it as possible. I hadn't really thought about the kind of music I wanted to make.” quote by Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg)

> “When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in the industry or aware of who I really was. I just put my music out there and tried to get as many people to hear it as possible. I hadn't really thought about the kind of music I wanted to make.”

[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.

Early artistic work often lacks self‑definition; exploration precedes intentional creation.

**In simple terms:** Finding your voice takes time and trial.

Key Takeaway

Explore before defining style.

Themes

creativity identity music

Mood

curious energetic

Type

inspirational advice

When to use this quote

- songwriting
- brand building
- career launch

Key Concepts

selfdiscovery artistic development

Questions to Reflect On

- How did you discover your style?
- When did you feel authentic?

A Different Perspective

Over‑exploration can dilute brand.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

## Related quotes

> [When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in the industry or aware of who I really was. I just put my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-aware-of-anything-in-the/)

[Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/)

> [When I started making music, I wanted to enjoy it and make others enjoy it. But it's just music. I am not saving the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jain/when-i-started-making-music-i-wanted-to-enjoy-it-and-make-others/)

[Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jain/)

> [I tried to reach the combatants with my music. I tried to turn my anger into something positive. Myself, and others like me, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-burdon/i-tried-to-reach-the-combatants-with-my-music-i-tried-to-turn-my/)

[Eric Burdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-burdon/)

> [I really like the grittiness of early Amon Tobin - I'm a huge fan of his old music, and I tried to borrow from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deadmau5/i-really-like-the-grittiness-of-early-amon-tobin-i-m-a-huge-fan-of/)

Deadmau5

> [I hadn't really thought about the kind of music I wanted to make. I was just making raps and stuff. I thought that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-hadn-t-really-thought-about-the-kind-of-music-i-wanted-to-make-i/)

[Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/)

> [I wanted a physical kick in the music. I wanted it to be stimulating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ridgeley/i-wanted-a-physical-kick-in-the-music-i-wanted-it-to-be-stimulating/)

[Andrew Ridgeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ridgeley/)

> [Part of my desire to play music was because I wanted to escape the art world and the politics of it; the petty gossip-y…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-gordon/part-of-my-desire-to-play-music-was-because-i-wanted-to-escape-the/)

[Kim Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-gordon/)

> [I wasn't exactly sure where I wanted to take my music and how I wanted to be portrayed, and it was sort of, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-simpson/i-wasn-t-exactly-sure-where-i-wanted-to-take-my-music-and-how-i/)

[Cody Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-simpson/)

> [I don't know if it's changing already with 'Joanne,' but my intention is to bring people together that don't know each other and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-changing-already-with-joanne-but-my-intention-is/)

[Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/)

> [Ever since I was a kid, this was all I wanted to do. I've wanted to do music. I wanted to sing. It's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-mars/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-this-was-all-i-wanted-to-do-i-ve-wanted-to-do/)

[Bruno Mars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-mars/)

> [Once I made up my mind that music was what I wanted to do, I never looked back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-watson/once-i-made-up-my-mind-that-music-was-what-i-wanted-to-do-i-never/)

[Aaron Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-watson/)

> [These wealthy people were very interested in contemporary music. They wanted to help diffuse it and get it to be known to other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-carter/these-wealthy-people-were-very-interested-in-contemporary-music-they/)

[Elliott Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-carter/)

> [Anything that had to do with music is what I wanted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/anything-that-had-to-do-with-music-is-what-i-wanted-to-do/)

[Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/)

> [With 'Boxer,' we made the kind of music we wanted to make and didn't really worry about what the expectation was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-dessner/with-boxer-we-made-the-kind-of-music-we-wanted-to-make-and-didn-t/)

[Bryce Dessner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-dessner/)

> [I guess I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-parks/i-guess-i-want-to-be-a-voice-for-the-kid-i-mean-it-sounds-quite/)

[Arlo Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-parks/)

## 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 started writing my own things when I was about 8. I used to try to bully my friends into imitating the Spice Girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-started-writing-my-own-things-when-i-was-about-8-i-used-to-try-to/)

[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/)

[Explore all 203 Charli XCX quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/)

## More Anything quotes

> [I guess I've never really wanted to be anything else. I've never even thought about having another job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-farrell/i-guess-i-ve-never-really-wanted-to-be-anything-else-i-ve-never-even/)

[Owen Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-farrell/)

> [I would give anything to be able to kick a ball with my son or read the kids a bedtime story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-burrow/i-would-give-anything-to-be-able-to-kick-a-ball-with-my-son-or-read/)

[Rob Burrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-burrow/)

> [Comfort food is really anything you want at that time. That said, I really love Naple-style pizza.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-zakarian/comfort-food-is-really-anything-you-want-at-that-time-that-said-i/)

[Geoffrey Zakarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-zakarian/)

> [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/)

[Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/)

> [When it really comes down to it, the job you do is more important and is more representative of who you are than your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/when-it-really-comes-down-to-it-the-job-you-do-is-more-important-and/)

[Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/)

> [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/)

[Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/)

> [I never did drama at school. I did it for one term, when it was compulsory, and I hated it. Tennis was the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-mitchell/i-never-did-drama-at-school-i-did-it-for-one-term-when-it-was/)

[Luke Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-mitchell/)

> [We live in such a special time when literally anything we can think of is possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-willey/we-live-in-such-a-special-time-when-literally-anything-we-can-think/)

[Daniel Willey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-willey/)

> [You know, I'm from Baltimore; nobody has anything. When somebody had talent, I was hiring my uncle, my cousin, you know? Getting people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/you-know-i-m-from-baltimore-nobody-has-anything-when-somebody-had/)

[Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/)

> [I said to my agent, 'I want short, sharp, well-paid jobs because I haven't got time for anything else.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-whitelaw/i-said-to-my-agent-i-want-short-sharp-well-paid-jobs-because-i-haven/)

[Billie Whitelaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-whitelaw/)

> [I think anything that anyone writes thats any good is going to have a lot of autobiography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-adly-guirgis/i-think-anything-that-anyone-writes-thats-any-good-is-going-to-have-a/)

[Stephen Adly Guirgis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-adly-guirgis/)

> [If the Bible is correct, and the Earth is only 6,000 years old, that means there were no dinosaurs, and museum curators have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shock/if-the-bible-is-correct-and-the-earth-is-only-6-000-years-old-that/)

[Ron Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shock/)

> [Don't do anything drastic like getting your eyebrows tattooed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-lee/don-t-do-anything-drastic-like-getting-your-eyebrows-tattooed/)

[Greta Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-lee/)

> [Whenever you define family as anything other than a man and a woman married together, you have just introduced an ethical nightmare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/whenever-you-define-family-as-anything-other-than-a-man-and-a-woman/)

[Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/)

> [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/)

[Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/)

Browse all 9,437 Anything quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in the industry or aware of who I really was. I just put my music out there and tried to get as many people to hear it as possible. I hadn't really thought about the kind of music I wanted to make.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Charli XCX"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-aware-of-anything-in-the-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anything"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-aware-of-anything-in-the-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e1/charli-xcx-1863_anything_when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-awa_2478754.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I first started, I wasn't really aware of anything in the industry or aware of who I really was. I just…” — Charli XCX",
                "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": "Charli XCX",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When I first started, I wasn't...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-aware-of-anything-in-the-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/when-i-first-started-i-wasn-t-really-aware-of-anything-in-the-2/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
