--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was on the big labels, I never…" description: "\"When I was on the big labels, I never calculated what would make me sell more records. I just did what I did -no different than when I wrote songs for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/jill-sobule-17479_bigs_when-i-was-on-the-big-labels-i-never-cal_2020046.png" --- # When I was on the big labels, I never calculated what… ![“When I was on the big labels, I never calculated what would make me sell more records. I just did what I did -no different than when I wrote songs for myself in high-school.” quote by Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/jill-sobule-17479_bigs_when-i-was-on-the-big-labels-i-never-cal_2020046.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/jill-sobule-17479_bigs_when-i-was-on-the-big-labels-i-never-cal_2020046.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/jill-sobule-17479_bigs_when-i-was-on-the-big-labels-i-never-cal_2020046.png) > “When I was on the big labels, I never calculated what would make me sell more records. I just did what I did -no different than when I wrote songs for myself in high-school.” [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She focused on authentic creation rather than market calculations, trusting that genuine work finds its audience. **In simple terms:** Create authentically, not for sales. Key Takeaway Prioritize artistic integrity over market metrics. Themes authenticity music industry creative process Mood reflective pragmatic Type advice personal insight When to use this quote - launching a debut album - writing personal songs - navigating label expectations Key Concepts artistic integrity self‑expression career sustainability Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance authenticity with commercial viability? - What signs indicate you’re compromising your art? A Different Perspective Market pressures can still dictate success despite authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-labels-1134548/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labels/) [Labels Calculated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labels-calculated-3654568/) [Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records/) [Records Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records-just-287367/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Sell Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sell-records/) [Sells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sells/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Wrote Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrote-songs/) ## Related quotes > [I want to win some awards, sell more records - just do whatever I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/i-want-to-win-some-awards-sell-more-records-just-do-whatever-i-want/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [In those days the big U.S. labels didn't have any particular interest in the Latin market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-blades/in-those-days-the-big-u-s-labels-didn-t-have-any-particular-interest/) [Ruben Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-blades/) > [The big labels have less of a stranglehold on artists and how they record and where they go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-wilde/the-big-labels-have-less-of-a-stranglehold-on-artists-and-how-they/) [Kim Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-wilde/) > [When I did the record, I was coming off a time when my contract had been sold and the music industry had changed a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-sweet/when-i-did-the-record-i-was-coming-off-a-time-when-my-contract-had/) [Matthew Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-sweet/) > [There are some things that you have to consider when using MySpace, and a lot of big labels don't do this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-winter/there-are-some-things-that-you-have-to-consider-when-using-myspace/) [Pedro Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-winter/) > [As a rock fan, you read of the big labels and the multinationals and the big tours with road crews and semi-trailers full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-ranaldo/as-a-rock-fan-you-read-of-the-big-labels-and-the-multinationals-and/) [Lee Ranaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-ranaldo/) > [A lot of big labels will just sign bands like a write off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rich/a-lot-of-big-labels-will-just-sign-bands-like-a-write-off/) [Adam Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rich/) > [Big labels can buy you radio play, they can buy you social media likes and YouTube views. I don't have any of that, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-tracey/big-labels-can-buy-you-radio-play-they-can-buy-you-social-media-likes/) [AJ Tracey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-tracey/) > [People are getting force-fed commercial, generic records that are just safe, safe, safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-flint/people-are-getting-force-fed-commercial-generic-records-that-are-just/) [Keith Flint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-flint/) > [ Performing was the natural thing originally and the rest of it \[records and so on\] is just like offshoots of that. That's how I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/performing-was-the-natural-thing-originally-and-the-rest-of-it/) [Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/) > [The first listen is very important to me. Half of my favorite records just hit you in the face immediately with something memorable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-e-miller/the-first-listen-is-very-important-to-me-half-of-my-favorite-records/) [Derek E. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-e-miller/) > [“On the end of an era "I think records were just a little bubble through time and those who made a living from them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/on-the-end-of-an-era-i-think-records-were-just-a-little-bubble/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [I don't feel like I'm putting records out because I have to. It's just my art and I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarion/i-don-t-feel-like-i-m-putting-records-out-because-i-have-to-it-s-just/) [Omarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarion/) > [For the most part I stand by all of records. I just always like the one I've done most recently the best and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-tweedy/for-the-most-part-i-stand-by-all-of-records-i-just-always-like-the/) [Jeff Tweedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-tweedy/) > [Any band on their first couple records is just trying to keep up with their inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/any-band-on-their-first-couple-records-is-just-trying-to-keep-up-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jill Sobule > [When people see you have a song on MTV, they think you are doing well - but you know, the way the traditional label…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/when-people-see-you-have-a-song-on-mtv-they-think-you-are-doing-well/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I am doomed or fortunate to stick to what I do best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-am-doomed-or-fortunate-to-stick-to-what-i-do-best/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I would go to heaven, if I believed in heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-would-go-to-heaven-if-i-believed-in-heaven/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I think Im different from a lot of singer-songwriters because some of my favorite singer-songwriters told stories. Like John Prine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-think-im-different-from-a-lot-of-singer-songwriters-because-some-of/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [In a way, I'm not at all jaded, and still enjoy so much what I do. It's a good trick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/in-a-way-i-m-not-at-all-jaded-and-still-enjoy-so-much-what-i-do-it-s/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I started playing the acoustic guitar for more singer-songwriter type stuff. I bet if I would have gotten more approval for my "rock playing",…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-started-playing-the-acoustic-guitar-for-more-singer-songwriter-type/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [When I write songs, I like to write lyrics first, and I think that's different from a lot of singer-songwriters. But I heard Sammy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/when-i-write-songs-i-like-to-write-lyrics-first-and-i-think-that-s/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [My mom wore the pants in the family, for sure. I always say, that I spent my childhood trying to get the love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/my-mom-wore-the-pants-in-the-family-for-sure-i-always-say-that-i/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [Music teachers can either inspire or make you resent your instrument and parents in early years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/music-teachers-can-either-inspire-or-make-you-resent-your-instrument/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I'm a bit of a lefty. I like the idea of art and music collectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-m-a-bit-of-a-lefty-i-like-the-idea-of-art-and-music-collectives/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I had a brother six years older than me, so I wasn't just listening to teenybopper stuff. My brother had the cooler music, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-had-a-brother-six-years-older-than-me-so-i-wasn-t-just-listening-to/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I'm down with the whole patron thing. Bring back the Medicis. Maybe, I'm not just a lefty, but a royalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-m-down-with-the-whole-patron-thing-bring-back-the-medicis-maybe-i-m/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [When I was a kid, I wanted to be a spy detective or a rock star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/when-i-was-a-kid-i-wanted-to-be-a-spy-detective-or-a-rock-star/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I don't have a Madonna-sized fan base, so I can actually e-mail and talk to everyone that e-mails me because I am totally appreciative,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-don-t-have-a-madonna-sized-fan-base-so-i-can-actually-e-mail-and/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [I have never made a cent off a record in my life. I have never recouped enough, and I never sold enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/i-have-never-made-a-cent-off-a-record-in-my-life-i-have-never/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) [Explore all 37 Jill Sobule quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) ## More Bigs quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cooney/the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-my-managers-wanted-a-big/) [Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cooney/) > [It goes to show you how we in the press so often miss the big stories that are right under our noses. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-goes-to-show-you-how-we-in-the-press-so-often-miss-the-big-stories/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [I don't want this to be a distraction. This has been distracting enough. I'm not going to rehash this going forward. I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [I didn't get how big it was until I went home, turned on the television and saw it on all the news, and later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/i-didn-t-get-how-big-it-was-until-i-went-home-turned-on-the/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [I got in trouble my whole life for having a big mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/i-got-in-trouble-my-whole-life-for-having-a-big-mouth/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) [Browse all 15,539 Bigs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was on the big labels, I never calculated what would make me sell more records. 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