--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Artists have been getting ripped off…" description: "\"Artists have been getting ripped off since the beginning of time, probably. But on the other hand, it might be nice to write songs. We certainly could...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/exene-cervenka-47329_art_artists-have-been-getting-ripped-off-sin_1098291.jpg" --- # Artists have been getting ripped off since the beginning… ![“Artists have been getting ripped off since the beginning of time, probably. But on the other hand, it might be nice to write songs. We certainly could.” quote by Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/exene-cervenka-47329_art_artists-have-been-getting-ripped-off-sin_1098291.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/exene-cervenka-47329_art_artists-have-been-getting-ripped-off-sin_1098291.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c78/exene-cervenka-47329_art_artists-have-been-getting-ripped-off-sin_1098291.jpg) > “Artists have been getting ripped off since the beginning of time, probably. But on the other hand, it might be nice to write songs. We certainly could.” [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists often feel exploited, yet creating music remains rewarding despite challenges. **In simple terms:** Artists feel exploited but still enjoy making music. Key Takeaway Balance creativity with fair compensation. Themes art exploitation creativity industry balance Mood reflective determined Type observational inspirational When to use this quote - songwriting - live performance - contract negotiation - crowdfunding - self‑publishing Key Concepts Intellectual property artist rights motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can artists protect their work while staying creative? - What structures support fair compensation? A Different Perspective The quote overlooks systemic barriers that can stifle artistic expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Being nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-nice/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Most country songs, certainly all the stuff I've written, are stories driven by characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/most-country-songs-certainly-all-the-stuff-i-ve-written-are-stories/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [The songs certainly have not made my fortune, but I am still grateful for the royalties when they come in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-carter/the-songs-certainly-have-not-made-my-fortune-but-i-am-still-grateful/) [Sydney Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-carter/) > [Smiths songs certainly have an astonishing afterlife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/smiths-songs-certainly-have-an-astonishing-afterlife/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Well there is a lot of work here for younger and older musicians now. 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Nesbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-nesbit/) > [I don't want to change the way I write my songs, I like the way I write my songs, so I keep 'em the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/exene-cervenka/i-don-t-want-to-change-the-way-i-write-my-songs-i-like-the-way-i/) [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) > [Oh my God, there are so many songs I wish I had written. 'Waters of March,' I wish I had written 'My Baby Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/oh-my-god-there-are-so-many-songs-i-wish-i-had-written-waters-of/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) ## More by Exene Cervenka > [When people get cancer now, the first thing you do is you go to some doctors to get some advice, figure out what to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/exene-cervenka/when-people-get-cancer-now-the-first-thing-you-do-is-you-go-to-some/) [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) > [“never say amen in church if they're capping off a prayer about you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/exene-cervenka/never-say-amen-in-church-if-they-re-capping-off-a-prayer-about-you/) [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) > [I don't surround myself with anybody, really. I have friends, but I'm kind of an isolationist now. I kind of work on my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/exene-cervenka/i-don-t-surround-myself-with-anybody-really-i-have-friends-but-i-m/) [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) > [I don't want to change the way I write my songs, I like the way I write my songs, so I keep 'em the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/exene-cervenka/i-don-t-want-to-change-the-way-i-write-my-songs-i-like-the-way-i/) [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) > [There are always fights in a band. People get together for these reunion shows after 20 years, and they play a couple shows and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/exene-cervenka/there-are-always-fights-in-a-band-people-get-together-for-these/) [Exene Cervenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/exene-cervenka/) > [I don't really like L.A. much anymore. It's a hideous city. The weather's nice sometimes. 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