--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true!…" description: "\"I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true! I wanted to be a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.\" — Gene Kelly" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/gene-kelly-11878_dance_i-never-wanted-to-be-a-dancer-it-s-true_2436457.jpg" --- # I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true! I wanted to be a… ![“I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true! I wanted to be a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.” quote by Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/gene-kelly-11878_dance_i-never-wanted-to-be-a-dancer-it-s-true_2436457.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/gene-kelly-11878_dance_i-never-wanted-to-be-a-dancer-it-s-true_2436457.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/gene-kelly-11878_dance_i-never-wanted-to-be-a-dancer-it-s-true_2436457.jpg) > “I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true! I wanted to be a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.” [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) ## 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 reveals a childhood ambition different from their eventual career, highlighting unexpected life paths. **In simple terms:** He wanted to be a baseball player, not a dancer. Key Takeaway Embrace changing aspirations over time. Themes identity career childhood dreams Mood nostalgic reflective Type personal storytelling When to use this quote - career counseling - personal reflection - talent development Key Concepts career transition sports vs arts Questions to Reflect On - How have your early interests shaped your current path? - Do you regret not pursuing the original dream? A Different Perspective Some may view early dreams as irrelevant later. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) [Dancer True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer-true-346509/) [Pirate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pirate/) [Pittsburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pittsburgh/) [Shortstop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortstop/) [Shortstop Pittsburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortstop-pittsburgh-346507/) [Shortstops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortstops/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Wanted Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-dancer-346508/) ## Related quotes > [Playing shortstop is 75 to 80 percent anticipation, knowing the hitter and the pitch being thrown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-boudreau/playing-shortstop-is-75-to-80-percent-anticipation-knowing-the-hitter/) [Lou Boudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-boudreau/) > [I always wanted to be a shortstop so I could play more often!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-abbott/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-shortstop-so-i-could-play-more-often/) [Jim Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-abbott/) > [I liked playing with David Eckstein (former Angels shortstop). I'm not talking about players with top skills, I'm sure there were players with way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bengie-molina/i-liked-playing-with-david-eckstein-former-angels-shortstop-i-m-not/) [Bengie Molina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bengie-molina/) > [He can run, steal bases, throw, hit for average, and hit with power like I've never seen. Just don't put him at shortstop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-mantle/he-can-run-steal-bases-throw-hit-for-average-and-hit-with-power-like/) [Mickey Mantle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-mantle/) > [I was for a short time on the baseball team as shortstop, where I was no good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/i-was-for-a-short-time-on-the-baseball-team-as-shortstop-where-i-was-2/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [You've just got to keep playing hard. You have to remember that you are not just playing for the Twins. There are other teams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-bartlett/you-ve-just-got-to-keep-playing-hard-you-have-to-remember-that-you/) [Jason Bartlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-bartlett/) > [If the shortstop makes an error, I am responsible. I let the batter hit the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-martinez/if-the-shortstop-makes-an-error-i-am-responsible-i-let-the-batter-hit/) [Pedro Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-martinez/) > [You are recognized by your bat. If you are the best hitting shortstop out there, that's how you win a Gold Glove. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-rollins/you-are-recognized-by-your-bat-if-you-are-the-best-hitting-shortstop/) [Jimmy Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-rollins/) > [The shortstop is a perfectly conditioned athlete. You're running out on relays all the time. You're covering second base. On every pitch, you're moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-boudreau/the-shortstop-is-a-perfectly-conditioned-athlete-you-re-running-out/) [Lou Boudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-boudreau/) > [I feel a lot more comfortable at shortstop, but it's no problem, I'll move to make room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-reyes/i-feel-a-lot-more-comfortable-at-shortstop-but-it-s-no-problem-i-ll/) [Jose Reyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-reyes/) > [Different styles work for different guys... If you can handle shortstop and hit, teams will find a way to pencil you into the lineup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/different-styles-work-for-different-guys-if-you-can-handle-shortstop/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [What is the top requirement for a second baseman? A fine shortstop. I am fortunate in having the greatest shortstop in baseball, Luis Aparicio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-fox/what-is-the-top-requirement-for-a-second-baseman-a-fine-shortstop-i/) [Nellie Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-fox/) > [In my opinion, I've had the greatest job in the world. I got a chance to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/in-my-opinion-i-ve-had-the-greatest-job-in-the-world-i-got-a-chance/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I was for a short time on the baseball team as shortstop, where I was not so good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/i-was-for-a-short-time-on-the-baseball-team-as-shortstop-where-i-was/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [I guess heaven needed a shortstop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-steinbrenner/i-guess-heaven-needed-a-shortstop/) [George Steinbrenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-steinbrenner/) ## More by Gene Kelly > [ The only thing is that ordinarily when I do dance with \[women\] they think I am suddenly going to throw them over a table… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/the-only-thing-is-that-ordinarily-when-i-do-dance-with-women-they/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [In fact, I wasn't going to dance in Xanadu, but several journalists told me that Olivia Newton-John kept saying how sad she was that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/in-fact-i-wasn-t-going-to-dance-in-xanadu-but-several-journalists/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I miss the romance. I keep saying this over and over again, but dance follows music. And if the accent today is percussion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-miss-the-romance-i-keep-saying-this-over-and-over-again-but-dance/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I didn't want to move or act like a rich man. I wanted to dance in a pair of jeans. I wanted to dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-didn-t-want-to-move-or-act-like-a-rich-man-i-wanted-to-dance-in-a/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [Things danced on the screen do not look the way they do on the stage. On the stage, dancing is three-dimensional, but a motion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/things-danced-on-the-screen-do-not-look-the-way-they-do-on-the-stage/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/if-fred-astaire-is-the-cary-grant-of-dance-i-m-the-marlon-brando/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [It fit into my scheme of things for many reasons. At the time it was true that male dancers were looked down upon, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/it-fit-into-my-scheme-of-things-for-many-reasons-at-the-time-it-was/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I don't understand the whole concept of doubles. They used to do that in the early sound films in Hollywood, but I thought we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-don-t-understand-the-whole-concept-of-doubles-they-used-to-do-that/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I'll never starve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-ll-never-starve/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [When I would create a dance, I wouldn't have the luxury that ballet people do when they take a piece of music and impose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/when-i-would-create-a-dance-i-wouldn-t-have-the-luxury-that-ballet/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/you-dance-love-and-you-dance-joy-and-you-dance-dreams/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [When Ginger Rogers danced with Astaire, it was the only time in the movies when you looked at the man, not the woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/when-ginger-rogers-danced-with-astaire-it-was-the-only-time-in-the/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I wanted to do new things with dance, adapt it to the motion picture medium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-wanted-to-do-new-things-with-dance-adapt-it-to-the-motion-picture/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams. And I know if I can make you smile by jumping over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/you-dance-love-and-you-dance-joy-and-you-dance-dreams-and-i-know-if-i/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [Kids talk to me and say they want to do musicals again because they've studied the tapes of the old films. We didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/kids-talk-to-me-and-say-they-want-to-do-musicals-again-because-they/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) [Explore all 57 Gene Kelly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) ## More Dance quotes > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-make-dance-music-because-i-love-to-dance-but-i-want-to-think-at-the/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings. The abstraction of many moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-ailey/everything-in-dancing-is-style-allusion-the-essence-of-many-thoughts/) [Alvin Ailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-ailey/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [My body was so instrumental to how I took pictures: it was practically a dance. I used to use my legs a lot; now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-body-was-so-instrumental-to-how-i-took-pictures-it-was-practically/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunham/if-you-dance-you-dance-because-you-have-to-every-dancer-hurts-you-know/) [Katherine Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunham/) > [I'm not a dancer. Never took a dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrishell-stause/i-m-not-a-dancer-never-took-a-dance-class/) [Chrishell Stause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrishell-stause/) > [Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-du-beke/being-fit-is-the-easiest-part-of-being-a-dance-professional-i-used-to/) [Anton du Beke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-du-beke/) > [I'm a horrible dancer, but I wanted to record songs that made me want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/i-m-a-horrible-dancer-but-i-wanted-to-record-songs-that-made-me-want/) [Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/) [Browse all 9,682 Dance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true! 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