---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a way, to have whatever people talk…"
description: "\"In a way, to have whatever people talk about as \"crossover success,\" I think it means you start making bad music. I mean, when I'm flipping through the..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/conor-oberst-1535_art-making_in-a-way-to-have-whatever-people-talk-ab_32434.png"
---

#  In a way, to have whatever people talk about as "crossover…

![“In a way, to have whatever people talk about as &quot;crossover success,&quot; I think it means you start making bad music. I mean, when I'm flipping through the channels and see the VMAs or something, I don't really see any music there.” quote by Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/conor-oberst-1535_art-making_in-a-way-to-have-whatever-people-talk-ab_32434.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/conor-oberst-1535_art-making_in-a-way-to-have-whatever-people-talk-ab_32434.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/conor-oberst-1535_art-making_in-a-way-to-have-whatever-people-talk-ab_32434.png)

> “In a way, to have whatever people talk about as "crossover success," I think it means you start making bad music. I mean, when I'm flipping through the channels and see the VMAs or something, I don't really see any music there.”

[Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker suggests that mainstream crossover success often comes at the expense of artistic integrity, implying that popular recognition can be linked to lower-quality music.

**In simple terms:** Crossover success may sacrifice quality.

Key Takeaway

Popularity can dilute artistic value.

Themes

Artistic integrity Commercialism Music industry Cultural criticism Authenticity

Mood

Critical Skeptical Reflective

Type

Observation Critique

When to use this quote

- Evaluating chart-topping songs
- Discussing music awards
- Analyzing pop culture trends
- Debating artistic vs. commercial goals

Key Concepts

Music quality Mainstream appeal Media perception

Practical Applications

- Music criticism
- Cultural commentary

Questions to Reflect On

- Does fame necessarily lower artistic standards?
- How can artists balance authenticity with mainstream appeal?

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