--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I view music as entertainment. When I'm…" description: "\"I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a zealot myself. That's why..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg" --- # I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't… ![“I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a zealot myself. That's why, when people ask me, 'Do you think you can change the world through your music?' I say, 'I doubt it.'” quote by Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg) > “I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a zealot myself. That's why, when people ask me, 'Do you think you can change the world through your music?' I say, 'I doubt it.'” [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Music is seen as entertainment, not a tool for ideological change; the artist doubts its power to transform society. **In simple terms:** Music entertains, not changes the world. Key Takeaway Recognize music’s limits in driving social change. Themes art entertainment ideology skepticism Mood reflective skeptical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - concerts - songwriting - public discourse - activist art Key Concepts cultural impact artist responsibility Questions to Reflect On - Do you think any art can influence values? - How might music subtly shift perspectives? A Different Perspective Music can still inspire indirectly, even if not overtly political. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Entertainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment/) [Ideology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideology/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sharing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharing/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [In the music business I am surrounded by people who don't view music as a sacred voice. They view music as something that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/in-the-music-business-i-am-surrounded-by-people-who-don-t-view-music/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [I view music mostly as communication, so when I record, I'm communicating to the listener in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hildur-gudnadottir/i-view-music-mostly-as-communication-so-when-i-record-i-m/) [Hildur Gudnadottir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hildur-gudnadottir/) > [I think I go with the Duke Ellington view on music. He said, 'There's two kinds of music - there's good music, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-young/i-think-i-go-with-the-duke-ellington-view-on-music-he-said-there-s/) [Kevin Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-young/) > [The thing that pleases me the most about it is that young people like it. It's given kids from 6 to 16 an alternate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/the-thing-that-pleases-me-the-most-about-it-is-that-young-people-like/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [My view on music and the way that it's portrayed is that it's a religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/machine-gun-kelly/my-view-on-music-and-the-way-that-it-s-portrayed-is-that-it-s-a/) [Machine Gun Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/machine-gun-kelly/) > [I always view my music like a city at night, like Atlanta. I view my music in lights. So Far Gone would be my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-always-view-my-music-like-a-city-at-night-like-atlanta-i-view-my/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [I just think that pop music is very interesting in how it can reach so many people. I like that I can tell stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/i-just-think-that-pop-music-is-very-interesting-in-how-it-can-reach/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [I guess now I view music as my career. I want to do it forever, regardless of whether or not it's my means of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-morby/i-guess-now-i-view-music-as-my-career-i-want-to-do-it-forever/) [Kevin Morby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-morby/) > [That's what Kiss is all about - not just music, but entertainment, y'know? We're there to take you away from your problems, and rock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-frehley/that-s-what-kiss-is-all-about-not-just-music-but-entertainment-y-know/) [Ace Frehley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-frehley/) > [Music is the one part of the entertainment business where you can't fool anybody into buying a record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nile-rodgers/music-is-the-one-part-of-the-entertainment-business-where-you-can-t/) [Nile Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nile-rodgers/) > [Music is entertainment, but I would like to be able to inspire the audience in a way that makes them leave, saying, "Wow, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-michalka/music-is-entertainment-but-i-would-like-to-be-able-to-inspire-the/) Amanda Michalka > [Music is a science, it heals depression, it awakens, most people don't know, they just take music for an entertainment, something to dance to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/music-is-a-science-it-heals-depression-it-awakens-most-people-don-t/) [Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/) > [Music is entertainment, and we need that in order not to fall into the pit of despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/music-is-entertainment-and-we-need-that-in-order-not-to-fall-into-the/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [The decision for Beyonce and Music World Entertainment to part was mutual. We did great things together, and I know that she will continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-knowles/the-decision-for-beyonce-and-music-world-entertainment-to-part-was/) [Mathew Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-knowles/) > [That's what music is: entertainment. The more you put yourself into it, the more of you comes out in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/that-s-what-music-is-entertainment-the-more-you-put-yourself-into-it/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) ## More by Greg Graffin > [“Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/anarchy-evolution-faith-science-and-bad-religion-in-a-world-without/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meaning-comes-from-humans-not-from/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Here's the thing, who cares what you have to look at, I'm a big advocate of not obscuring vistas, but even if you build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/here-s-the-thing-who-cares-what-you-have-to-look-at-i-m-a-big/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-t-let-your-personal-disposition-be-dictated-by-the-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Life is never static. Despite catastrophic tragedies, life has persisted in evolving new varieties of unimaginable forms. I find comfort in the narrative of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/life-is-never-static-despite-catastrophic-tragedies-life-has/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [People need to understand the basics of evolution if they are going to reject it—otherwise, they are not contributing anything productive to modern society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/people-need-to-understand-the-basics-of-evolution-if-they-are-going/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [We should enjoy and make the most of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/we-should-enjoy-and-make-the-most-of-life/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I bill myself as a naturalist because if you say you're a naturalist, it gives people a conversation point to talk about what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-bill-myself-as-a-naturalist-because-if-you-say-you-re-a-naturalist/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [So much of the habitat destruction and pollution is based on the simple principle that we somehow have been given free license over other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/so-much-of-the-habitat-destruction-and-pollution-is-based-on-the/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [The trick is: how do you talk about natural selection without implying the rigidity of law? We use it as almost an active participant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/the-trick-is-how-do-you-talk-about-natural-selection-without-implying/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I guess rock stars are role models for the kids who listen to that music. My role models have all been geologists - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-guess-rock-stars-are-role-models-for-the-kids-who-listen-to-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I don't mind if other people call me an atheist, but I call myself a naturalist. Atheism doesn't tell you much about what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-don-t-mind-if-other-people-call-me-an-atheist-but-i-call-myself-a/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been-to-try-and-provoke-people/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Whether or not punk is the flavor of the month is not important for us. Bad Religion has been popular through many different climates.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/whether-or-not-punk-is-the-flavor-of-the-month-is-not-important-for/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I would say there's a lot of similarity between folk and punk. It's written for the common man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-would-say-there-s-a-lot-of-similarity-between-folk-and-punk-it-s/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) [Explore all 116 Greg Graffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## More Ask quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I ask to be judged on the issue of unemployment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-ask-to-be-judged-on-the-issue-of-unemployment/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [When the only people in mainstream discourse who care about the working class are Wall Street investors, it really is time to ask where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/when-the-only-people-in-mainstream-discourse-who-care-about-the/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [I used to sit in front of McDonald's and ask people for dollars to get me a cheeseburger. It was bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-pain/i-used-to-sit-in-front-of-mcdonald-s-and-ask-people-for-dollars-to/) [T-Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-pain/) > [If you ask why I do what I do - I want to make a difference. I don't just want to maintain the status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-broad/if-you-ask-why-i-do-what-i-do-i-want-to-make-a-difference-i-don-t/) [Eli Broad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-broad/) > [Every morning when I pick up the newspaper and read about an earthquake in Japan or problems in European financial institutions, the first question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-schapiro/every-morning-when-i-pick-up-the-newspaper-and-read-about-an/) [Mary Schapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schapiro/) > [I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/i-follow-a-simple-formula-when-i-compose-i-ask-myself-what-would-the/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [If you ask an actor what he'd prefer to act on, he'd probably say a tangible, real set, or even better, a real location…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/if-you-ask-an-actor-what-he-d-prefer-to-act-on-he-d-probably-say-a/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [It turns out that this part of the brain is one of the first areas that's attacked by Alzheimer's disease. So we can now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-keefe/it-turns-out-that-this-part-of-the-brain-is-one-of-the-first-areas/) [John O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-keefe/) > [I prefer department stores. In boutiques, they come up and ask you if you need help. I can't get lost in the experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-netrebko/i-prefer-department-stores-in-boutiques-they-come-up-and-ask-you-if/) [Anna Netrebko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-netrebko/) > [A lot of people ask: 'Will you play a psycho to really change your image and prove you can act?' But that's not what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zac-efron/a-lot-of-people-ask-will-you-play-a-psycho-to-really-change-your/) [Zac Efron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zac-efron/) > [I'm not in the movie business anymore, and hardly any 70 year olds are. I always ask the producers: 'Are there no 70-year old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-dennehy/i-m-not-in-the-movie-business-anymore-and-hardly-any-70-year-olds-are/) [Brian Dennehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-dennehy/) > [I would ask my mum to feed my dolls and make sure they were tucked in when I went to school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-rankin/i-would-ask-my-mum-to-feed-my-dolls-and-make-sure-they-were-tucked-in/) [Gayle Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-rankin/) > [I certainly know that on our first tour of America in 1968, David Crosby came to see us backstage at the Fillmore East in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-hayward/i-certainly-know-that-on-our-first-tour-of-america-in-1968-david/) [Justin Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-hayward/) > [For the most part, if somebody approaches me and says, 'I'd like to interview you,' who am I to say no, when I spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/for-the-most-part-if-somebody-approaches-me-and-says-i-d-like-to/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) Browse all 1,306 Ask quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a zealot myself. That's why, when people ask me, 'Do you think you can change the world through your music?' I say, 'I doubt it.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Greg Graffin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ask" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/greg-graffin-4107_ask_i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-o_306356.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology…” — Greg Graffin", "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": "Greg Graffin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I view music as entertainment. When...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/#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 } } ] } ```