--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a kid, I remember trying to…" description: "\"When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie Wonder's sound, and Donny Hathaway's sound. It's just part of who I am - I'm just a soulful kind ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cd/elliott-yamin-38575_emulate_when-i-was-a-kid-i-remember-trying-to-em_1554425.jpg" --- # When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie… ![“When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie Wonder's sound, and Donny Hathaway's sound. It's just part of who I am - I'm just a soulful kind of dude.” quote by Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cd/elliott-yamin-38575_emulate_when-i-was-a-kid-i-remember-trying-to-em_1554425.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cd/elliott-yamin-38575_emulate_when-i-was-a-kid-i-remember-trying-to-em_1554425.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cd/elliott-yamin-38575_emulate_when-i-was-a-kid-i-remember-trying-to-em_1554425.jpg) > “When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie Wonder's sound, and Donny Hathaway's sound. It's just part of who I am - I'm just a soulful kind of dude.” [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) ## 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 identifies early musical idols as central to his identity, showing how artistic inspiration shapes self‑concept. **In simple terms:** Early music influences define personal identity. Key Takeaway Embrace influences that shape you. Themes identity inspiration music Mood reflective personal Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - music education - personal branding - creative collaboration Key Concepts artistic development self‑concept cultural heritage Questions to Reflect On - Which artists have shaped your identity? - How can you blend influences into something new? A Different Perspective Over‑identifying with idols may limit originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Soulful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soulful/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Who i am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-i-am/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of Ennio Morricone's music is just - it's very soulful, very cinematic, and very psychedelic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-younge/a-lot-of-ennio-morricone-s-music-is-just-it-s-very-soulful-very/) [Adrian Younge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-younge/) > [Stevie Wonder always smells so good... I'm like a DEA dog, I can smell people a block away!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/stevie-wonder-always-smells-so-good-i-m-like-a-dea-dog-i-can-smell/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [Who picks your clothes - Stevie Wonder?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/who-picks-your-clothes-stevie-wonder/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [I was the first artist, I think, to ever do an all-keyboard album. There were things that resembled it, like Stevie Wonder. A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-wright/i-was-the-first-artist-i-think-to-ever-do-an-all-keyboard-album-there/) [Gary Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-wright/) > [I grew up in Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, and my mom and pop had an extensive record collection, so Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-grew-up-in-marcy-projects-in-brooklyn-and-my-mom-and-pop-had-an/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [Stevie Wonder is extraordinary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-walsh/stevie-wonder-is-extraordinary/) [Bradley Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-walsh/) > [My mum would play Stevie Wonder around the house, and I remember just loving the songs and feeling so blown away by how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-garratt/my-mum-would-play-stevie-wonder-around-the-house-and-i-remember-just/) [Jack Garratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-garratt/) > [I grew up in South Carolina. A lot of what I remember back in the day is AM radio. When I was a kid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darius-rucker/i-grew-up-in-south-carolina-a-lot-of-what-i-remember-back-in-the-day/) [Darius Rucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darius-rucker/) > [I live by syllogisms: God is love. Love is blind. Stevie Wonder is blind. Therefore, Stevie Wonder is God. I don't know what I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/i-live-by-syllogisms-god-is-love-love-is-blind-stevie-wonder-is-blind/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [He knows I rip him off every day. He's the godfather for me. Nobody can say they aren't influenced by what Stevie Wonder has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/he-knows-i-rip-him-off-every-day-he-s-the-godfather-for-me-nobody-can/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross and the Jackson 5, that's what I grew up on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/stevie-wonder-and-diana-ross-and-the-jackson-5-that-s-what-i-grew-up/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [ There's a video that's been floating around on YouTube where \[Baz Luhrmann says\], "We were looking for a guy that sounded like a young… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quindon-tarver/there-s-a-video-that-s-been-floating-around-on-youtube-where-baz/) [Quindon Tarver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quindon-tarver/) > [There are people I'll always love to listen to, and I'm always ending up discovering new songs by them, which is crazy. Like Stevie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-armstrong/there-are-people-i-ll-always-love-to-listen-to-and-i-m-always-ending/) [Neil Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-armstrong/) > [I like bands for a long time, even when they're not trendy anymore. I still like Arcade Fire. I've always liked Stevie Wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia-furler/i-like-bands-for-a-long-time-even-when-they-re-not-trendy-anymore-i/) [Sia Furler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia-furler/) > [Yeah, some people said I tried to rip off Cat Stevens and Stevie Wonder. Oh, well. I've always admired those guys. But for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/yeah-some-people-said-i-tried-to-rip-off-cat-stevens-and-stevie/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) ## More by Elliott Yamin > [My dad's Israeli. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/my-dad-s-israeli-he-was-born-in-baghdad-to-iraqi-jews-then-at-age-two/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [I'm still Elliott Yamin. I'm still the funky white Jewish boy from Richmond, Va.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/i-m-still-elliott-yamin-i-m-still-the-funky-white-jewish-boy-from/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Before 'Idol,' I was lost... Now, I've actually followed through with something. I am a better man for it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/before-idol-i-was-lost-now-i-ve-actually-followed-through-with/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Quite frankly, I'm tired of taking insulin and pumping my stomach every three days and pricking my finger and drawing blood out of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/quite-frankly-i-m-tired-of-taking-insulin-and-pumping-my-stomach/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Growing up, I can remember singing along with my ma all of the time. I wouldn't say she necessarily 'taught' me how to sing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/growing-up-i-can-remember-singing-along-with-my-ma-all-of-the-time-i/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [I come from a family with big hearts, so I love to put smiles on people's faces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/i-come-from-a-family-with-big-hearts-so-i-love-to-put-smiles-on/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [To me, obstacles in life build character. You have to be able to overcome adversity in order to succeed and appreciate the simple things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/to-me-obstacles-in-life-build-character-you-have-to-be-able-to/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Music's something you feel. You have to feel it first before you hear it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/music-s-something-you-feel-you-have-to-feel-it-first-before-you-hear/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [I was introduced to soul music at a very young age - my mom was a soul singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/i-was-introduced-to-soul-music-at-a-very-young-age-my-mom-was-a-soul/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [I think the fact that I am living my dream and being really productive and embarking on all my lifelong aspirations is proof enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/i-think-the-fact-that-i-am-living-my-dream-and-being-really/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) [Explore all 11 Elliott Yamin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) ## More Emulate quotes > [It's been really fun to see with each album when I change to see the fans of the show emulate my style and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avril-lavigne/it-s-been-really-fun-to-see-with-each-album-when-i-change-to-see-the/) [Avril Lavigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avril-lavigne/) > [ I'm a big fan of \[Frank\] Sinatra, he was the best at what he did. The last thing I do is model my career… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-connick-jr/i-m-a-big-fan-of-frank-sinatra-he-was-the-best-at-what-he-did-the/) [Harry Connick, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-connick-jr/) > [...It's an unmeetable level of writing. But even if it's something I feel like I can't ever attain, it doesn't crush my spirit. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-banks/it-s-an-unmeetable-level-of-writing-but-even-if-it-s-something-i-feel/) [Paul Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-banks/) > [You see nature and then you try to emulate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/you-see-nature-and-then-you-try-to-emulate-it/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [“I don’t imitate; I just emulate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-don-t-imitate-i-just-emulate/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Don't envy what people have, emulate what they did to have it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-envy-what-people-have-emulate-what-they-did-to-have-it/) [Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/) > [I really tried to work out hard to emulate the look and feel of the character, and did my best to represent the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-cudmore/i-really-tried-to-work-out-hard-to-emulate-the-look-and-feel-of-the/) [Daniel Cudmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-cudmore/) > [The bass line is the anchor for me. I started with the bass, and either doubled that and then added the harmonies, or sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petra-haden/the-bass-line-is-the-anchor-for-me-i-started-with-the-bass-and-either/) [Petra Haden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petra-haden/) > [I think musicians like me are drawn to those older desks, not just because they're legend and lore but also because they do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/i-think-musicians-like-me-are-drawn-to-those-older-desks-not-just/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord's Church, the members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the Savior,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-saint-in-the-lord-s-church-the-members-are/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [ It seemed so wimpy at first when I started to play \[guitar\]. So I started playing loud with lots of effects just to try… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-mascis/it-seemed-so-wimpy-at-first-when-i-started-to-play-guitar-so-i/) [J Mascis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mascis/) > [Nelson Mandela is a leader Barack Obama should try to emulate... He could start by spending 27 years in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-imus/nelson-mandela-is-a-leader-barack-obama-should-try-to-emulate-he/) [Don Imus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-imus/) > [I envy Pete Sampras's dullness. I wish I could emulate his spectacular lack of inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/i-envy-pete-sampras-s-dullness-i-wish-i-could-emulate-his-spectacular/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [Too many of Disney animators, and a lot try to emulate Disney, are trying to hit what they call quality levels. They're boring mannerisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-bakshi/too-many-of-disney-animators-and-a-lot-try-to-emulate-disney-are/) [Ralph Bakshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-bakshi/) > [Although there are people saying I'm putting on a show, I'm hoping more will emulate my 'performance.' If more people did, more needy people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-guangbiao/although-there-are-people-saying-i-m-putting-on-a-show-i-m-hoping/) [Chen Guangbiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-guangbiao/) Browse all 242 Emulate quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie Wonder's sound, and Donny Hathaway's sound. 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