--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no…" description: "\"If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no such thing as the establishment.\" — Jimi Hendrix" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg" --- # If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no such thing as the… ![“If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no such thing as the establishment.” quote by Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg) > “If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no such thing as the establishment.” [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning authority challenges established power structures. **In simple terms:** Challenge the establishment. Key Takeaway Question norms and seek change. Themes politics authority rebellion freedom Mood defiant energetic Type political cultural When to use this quote - protests - policy reform - artistic expression - education Key Concepts power structures social critique activism Questions to Reflect On - What does 'the establishment' represent to you? - How can constructive change be enacted? A Different Perspective Rebellion without vision can be chaotic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Establishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment/) ## Related quotes > [“Sometimes you had to keep things from people just so they wouldn’t do the first thing that came into their heads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-vandermeer/sometimes-you-had-to-keep-things-from-people-just-so-they-wouldn-t-do/) [Jeff VanderMeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-vandermeer/) > [How do I do it? I don't know how I wouldn't do it-that's the thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-mizrahi/how-do-i-do-it-i-don-t-know-how-i-wouldn-t-do-it-that-s-the-thing/) [Isaac Mizrahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-mizrahi/) > [If you walked into my house, there wouldn't be one thing to do with football in there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green/if-you-walked-into-my-house-there-wouldn-t-be-one-thing-to-do-with/) [Robert Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green/) > [If people just accepted each other then there wouldn't be a thing called racism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/if-people-just-accepted-each-other-then-there-wouldn-t-be-a-thing/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [The central base of world political power is right here in America, and it is our corrupt political establishment that is the greatest power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-central-base-of-world-political-power-is-right-here-in-america/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The issue of civil rights was too much for the establishment to handle. One of the chapters of history that's least studied by historians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hayden/the-issue-of-civil-rights-was-too-much-for-the-establishment-to/) [Tom Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hayden/) > [ It is certain that every class is interested in \[educational\] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-interested-in-educational/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [There are big, extremely irrational parts of the society, and they have now been mobilized politically by the Republican establishment, hoping that these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-big-extremely-irrational-parts-of-the-society-and-they-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The establishment in Britain is certainly against the arts and against education. If something doesn't make a profit, it's invalid, and art doesn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maxwell-davies/the-establishment-in-britain-is-certainly-against-the-arts-and/) [Peter Maxwell Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maxwell-davies/) > [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/why-is-it-that-at-a-bachelor-s-establishment-the-servants-invariably/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The re-establishment of an ecological balance depends on the ability of society to counteract the progressive materialization of values. The ecological balance cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-illich/the-re-establishment-of-an-ecological-balance-depends-on-the-ability/) [Ivan Illich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-illich/) > [Jeb Bush was supposed to be the establishment candidate, but he didn't catch on. And the extraordinary thing about this Republican primary is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-liasson/jeb-bush-was-supposed-to-be-the-establishment-candidate-but-he-didn-t/) [Mara Liasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-liasson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) ## More by Jimi Hendrix > [Don't let your imagination take you by surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/don-t-let-your-imagination-take-you-by-surprise/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [You've got to know what goes between the notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/you-ve-got-to-know-what-goes-between-the-notes/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [Well, obviously religion must come from inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/well-obviously-religion-must-come-from-inside/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [If there's a new idea, a new invention, or a new gas, or a new whatever you know, It should be brought at least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/if-there-s-a-new-idea-a-new-invention-or-a-new-gas-or-a-new-whatever/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [We take our last look at the killing noise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/we-take-our-last-look-at-the-killing-noise/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [Purple haze all in my eyes, don't know if it's day or night. You got me blowin', blowin' my mind. Is it tomorrow or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/purple-haze-all-in-my-eyes-don-t-know-if-it-s-day-or-night-you-got-me/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [I wish they'd had electric guitars in cotton fields back in the good old days. A whole lot of things would've been straightened out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/i-wish-they-d-had-electric-guitars-in-cotton-fields-back-in-the-good/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [So you want to be married, oh baby, trying to put me on a chain, ain't that some shame? You must be losing your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/so-you-want-to-be-married-oh-baby-trying-to-put-me-on-a-chain-ain-t/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [We have time, there's no big rush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/we-have-time-there-s-no-big-rush/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [Of course war is horrible, but at present it's still the only guarantee of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/of-course-war-is-horrible-but-at-present-it-s-still-the-only/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [I dig Strauss and Wagner. Those cats are good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/i-dig-strauss-and-wagner-those-cats-are-good/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/knowledge-speaks-but-wisdom-listens/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [All I'm writing is just what I feel, that's all. I just keep it almost naked. And probably the words are so bland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/all-i-m-writing-is-just-what-i-feel-that-s-all-i-just-keep-it-almost/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [This morning came on to me, silver wings silhouetted against the child's sunrise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/this-morning-came-on-to-me-silver-wings-silhouetted-against-the-child/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [I guess it would be if I wanted to, just lay back and predominantly write songs when I can't go on a stage anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/i-guess-it-would-be-if-i-wanted-to-just-lay-back-and-predominantly/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) [Explore all 236 Jimi Hendrix quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) ## More Establishment quotes > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Jeb Bush was supposed to be the establishment candidate, but he didn't catch on. And the extraordinary thing about this Republican primary is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-liasson/jeb-bush-was-supposed-to-be-the-establishment-candidate-but-he-didn-t/) [Mara Liasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-liasson/) > [The re-establishment of an ecological balance depends on the ability of society to counteract the progressive materialization of values. The ecological balance cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-illich/the-re-establishment-of-an-ecological-balance-depends-on-the-ability/) [Ivan Illich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-illich/) > [Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/why-is-it-that-at-a-bachelor-s-establishment-the-servants-invariably/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The establishment in Britain is certainly against the arts and against education. If something doesn't make a profit, it's invalid, and art doesn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maxwell-davies/the-establishment-in-britain-is-certainly-against-the-arts-and/) [Peter Maxwell Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maxwell-davies/) > [There are big, extremely irrational parts of the society, and they have now been mobilized politically by the Republican establishment, hoping that these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-big-extremely-irrational-parts-of-the-society-and-they-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ It is certain that every class is interested in \[educational\] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-interested-in-educational/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The issue of civil rights was too much for the establishment to handle. One of the chapters of history that's least studied by historians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hayden/the-issue-of-civil-rights-was-too-much-for-the-establishment-to/) [Tom Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hayden/) > [The central base of world political power is right here in America, and it is our corrupt political establishment that is the greatest power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-central-base-of-world-political-power-is-right-here-in-america/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-very-first-radical-known-to-man-who-rebelled-against-the/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Any change of government which has to be introduced should be one which men, starting from their existing constitutions, will be both willing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/any-change-of-government-which-has-to-be-introduced-should-be-one/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [One of the things we're all going to have to discover, establishment is just an abusive term for institutions. It's institutions that keep us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/one-of-the-things-we-re-all-going-to-have-to-discover-establishment/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [The law increasing and organizing the military establishment of the United States has been nearly carried into effect, and the Army has been extensively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/the-law-increasing-and-organizing-the-military-establishment-of-the/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) [Browse all 905 Establishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no such thing as the establishment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jimi Hendrix" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no-such-thing-as-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Establishment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no-such-thing-as-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/475/jimi-hendrix-1491_establishment_if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no_2197790.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If it was up to me, there wouldn't be no such thing as the establishment.” — Jimi Hendrix", "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": "Jimi Hendrix", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If it was up to me,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no-such-thing-as-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/if-it-was-up-to-me-there-wouldn-t-be-no-such-thing-as-the/#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 } } ] } ```