--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm playing music I'm usually not…" description: "\"When I'm playing music I'm usually not thinking of surfing, just because I'm usually thinking about the chords and the lyrics, and sometimes that messe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png" --- # When I'm playing music I'm usually not thinking of… ![“When I'm playing music I'm usually not thinking of surfing, just because I'm usually thinking about the chords and the lyrics, and sometimes that messes me up 'cause you'll start thinking, "Wait, how am I doing this?" But when I'm surfing, I'm usually thinking about music - whether it's an idea…” quote by Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png) > “When I'm playing music I'm usually not thinking of surfing, just because I'm usually thinking about the chords and the lyrics, and sometimes that messes me up 'cause you'll start thinking, "Wait, how am I doing this?" But when I'm surfing, I'm usually thinking about music - whether it's an idea for a new song, or just singing a song in my head.” [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Music and surfing intertwine, showing how creative focus shifts between activities, influencing performance and inspiration. **In simple terms:** Music and surfing influence each other. Key Takeaway Balance focus between passions. Themes creativity focus mindfulness performance inspiration Mood relaxed inspired thoughtful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - surfing - musicianship - creative practice - mindful activity Key Concepts flow state dual attention artistic synergy Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain focus? - Can one activity enhance another? A Different Perspective Distraction can hinder performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Chords](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chords/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Mess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mess/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-usually-1516200/) [New songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-songs/) [Playing music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-music/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Surfing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surfing/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Chords](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-chords-5533592/) [Thinking Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-music-298722/) [Thinking Surfing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-surfing-5533591/) [Usually Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-thinking-1660541/) [Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting/) ## Related quotes > [When I watch a movie for the first few times I'm usually thinking about where I was in a given scene, who was next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhang-ziyi/when-i-watch-a-movie-for-the-first-few-times-i-m-usually-thinking/) [Zhang Ziyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhang-ziyi/) > [A good listener is usually thinking about something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/a-good-listener-is-usually-thinking-about-something-else/) [Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/) > [Usually I'm thinking about the palette. I'm thinking about the color for the most part, then I'll start thinking about composition and movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-soderbergh/usually-i-m-thinking-about-the-palette-i-m-thinking-about-the-color/) [Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-soderbergh/) > [I try so hard to be the best mom that I can be and usually I'm always thinking about how to better my son's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamera-mowry/i-try-so-hard-to-be-the-best-mom-that-i-can-be-and-usually-i-m-always/) [Tamera Mowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamera-mowry/) > [I usually am thinking about my next book the second I put the last dot on the previous one that I turn in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-usually-am-thinking-about-my-next-book-the-second-i-put-the-last/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Usually, thinking may end up widen our imaginations that creates nonsense generalizations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glemar/usually-thinking-may-end-up-widen-our-imaginations-that-creates/) [Glemar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glemar/) > [“A good listener is usually thinking of something else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/a-good-listener-is-usually-thinking-of-something-else/) [Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/) > [I'm usually always thinking about the cons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-cudi/i-m-usually-always-thinking-about-the-cons/) [Kid Cudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-cudi/) > [When I'm in writing mode I tend not to listen to music. I usually have a gestation period before I start writing. When I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-temple/when-i-m-in-writing-mode-i-tend-not-to-listen-to-music-i-usually-have/) [Luke Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-temple/) > [When I listen to music, there's usually some aspect of that music that I like, and that's what I take and try to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/when-i-listen-to-music-there-s-usually-some-aspect-of-that-music-that/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [The songs are always drawn from personal experience; I'm putting myself into my music. I usually am playing myself. It's art, art that represents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-grand/the-songs-are-always-drawn-from-personal-experience-i-m-putting/) [Steve Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-grand/) > [I really do listen to all types of music, not only rock, but everything from good pop music - which is usually older pop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-lee/i-really-do-listen-to-all-types-of-music-not-only-rock-but-everything/) [Amy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-lee/) > [The music usually occurs to me as a complete sound, and then I have developed the skill of being able to translate that into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-pink/the-music-usually-occurs-to-me-as-a-complete-sound-and-then-i-have/) [Ariel Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-pink/) > [When I'm at home creating music, I usually wind up laughing. It's always, like, funny - like, what the hell did I just write?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thundercat/when-i-m-at-home-creating-music-i-usually-wind-up-laughing-it-s/) [Thundercat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thundercat/) > [I don't really know what inspires me to write the music I do, but usually, the music will set the tone for the lyrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-van-halen/i-don-t-really-know-what-inspires-me-to-write-the-music-i-do-but/) [Eddie Van Halen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-van-halen/) ## More by Jack Johnson > [Sometimes I'll write a song. When I've gone through something really hard in my life, sometimes it's other people's music. Other times it's actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/sometimes-i-ll-write-a-song-when-i-ve-gone-through-something-really/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [Careful living and correct training methods aided me a great deal, but I would say straight punching was the foundation of all my success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/careful-living-and-correct-training-methods-aided-me-a-great-deal-but/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [The light was leaving in the west it was blue The children's laughter sang and skipping just like the stones they threw the voices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/the-light-was-leaving-in-the-west-it-was-blue-the-children-s-laughter/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [I can change the world with my own two hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/i-can-change-the-world-with-my-own-two-hands/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [“Listen close and all else fades, fades away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/listen-close-and-all-else-fades-fades-away/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [“There's still so many things I wanna say to you, but go on. Just go on - we're bound by blood and love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/there-s-still-so-many-things-i-wanna-say-to-you-but-go-on-just-go-on/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [You better hope you’re not alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/you-better-hope-you-re-not-alone/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [Some music, it's meant just to make you dance and be able to celebrate and get away from all that kind of thinking. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/some-music-it-s-meant-just-to-make-you-dance-and-be-able-to-celebrate/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [When I do these interviews, I get really nervous. And when I get nervous, it comes off as mellow for some reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/when-i-do-these-interviews-i-get-really-nervous-and-when-i-get/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [There were so many fewer questions when stars were still just the holes to heaven...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/there-were-so-many-fewer-questions-when-stars-were-still-just-the/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [The possession of muscular strength and the courage to use it in contests with other men for physical supremacy does not necessarily imply a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/the-possession-of-muscular-strength-and-the-courage-to-use-it-in/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [Lookin at herself, but wishing she was someone else because the body of the doll that don't look like hers at all. So she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/lookin-at-herself-but-wishing-she-was-someone-else-because-the-body/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [You cant stop nothing if you have got no control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/you-cant-stop-nothing-if-you-have-got-no-control/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [The bitter attacks I faced were far worse than any fighter I ever faced in the ring. The caustic remarks, the threats to injure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/the-bitter-attacks-i-faced-were-far-worse-than-any-fighter-i-ever/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) > [Every time I get a chance to be out in the ocean, it's like hitting a reset button for me where I just feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/every-time-i-get-a-chance-to-be-out-in-the-ocean-it-s-like-hitting-a/) [Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) [Explore all 114 Jack Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [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/) > [Many patients imagine that they have tried everything. True, they have used many remedies, but they have never had the cause of their infirmity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-palmer/many-patients-imagine-that-they-have-tried-everything-true-they-have/) [Daniel D. Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-palmer/) > [Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans. Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [I don't wear rubbers cause you can't catch it twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-don-t-wear-rubbers-cause-you-can-t-catch-it-twice/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-was-like-how-she-is-now-when/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things / Like / My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloise-greenfield/i-love-a-lot-of-things-a-whole-lot-of-things-like-my-cousin-comes-to/) [Eloise Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eloise-greenfield/) > [Many companies have long contended that stress in the home causes productivity loss in the market place.. and it does. But research now reveals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/many-companies-have-long-contended-that-stress-in-the-home-causes/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [The miracle drugs (neuroleptics) cause the worst plague of brain damage in medical history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-breggin/the-miracle-drugs-neuroleptics-cause-the-worst-plague-of-brain-damage/) [Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-breggin/) [Browse all 9,070 Causes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I'm playing music I'm usually not thinking of surfing, just because I'm usually thinking about the chords and the lyrics, and sometimes that messes me up 'cause you'll start thinking, \"Wait, how am I doing this?\" But when I'm surfing, I'm usually thinking about music - whether it's an idea for a new song, or just singing a song in my head.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-thinking-of-surfing-just/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Causes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-thinking-of-surfing-just/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/jack-johnson-4207_causes_when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-t_698190.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I'm playing music I'm usually not thinking of surfing, just because I'm usually thinking about the…” — Jack Johnson", "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": "Jack Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I'm playing music I'm usually...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-thinking-of-surfing-just/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/when-i-m-playing-music-i-m-usually-not-thinking-of-surfing-just/#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 } } ] } ```