--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never had this ego where I must write…" description: "\"I never had this ego where I must write everything. I'm not Bob Dylan.\" — Joe Bonamassa" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg" --- # I never had this ego where I must write everything. I'm… ![“I never had this ego where I must write everything. I'm not Bob Dylan.” quote by Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg) > “I never had this ego where I must write everything. I'm not Bob Dylan.” [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He rejects the need for self‑importance, emphasizing authenticity over fame. **In simple terms:** He doesn’t feel the need to be a famous writer. Key Takeaway Focus on genuine expression, not ego. Themes authenticity humility creativity Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - songwriting sessions - public interviews - social media posts Key Concepts artist identity ego management Questions to Reflect On - What drives your creative process? - How do you balance confidence and humility? A Different Perspective Ego can sometimes drive artistic confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bob dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bob-dylan/) [Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dylan/) [Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Ego Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego-write-957821/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Must](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/must/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Bob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-bob-957822/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I'm so excited I got to co-write with Bob Dylan. It was very special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-savoretti/i-m-so-excited-i-got-to-co-write-with-bob-dylan-it-was-very-special/) [Jack Savoretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-savoretti/) > [“Don't let your ego write checks your character can't cash. another from the world of tweets”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-glasser/don-t-let-your-ego-write-checks-your-character-can-t-cash-another/) [Robin Glasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-glasser/) > [Bob Wallace was my editor at Rolling Stone when I first started writing there, and he's a wonderful editor. I was in the Philippines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/bob-wallace-was-my-editor-at-rolling-stone-when-i-first-started/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“When in a relationship, never let your ego write a check that only a single man can cash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amari-soul/when-in-a-relationship-never-let-your-ego-write-a-check-that-only-a/) [Amari Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amari-soul/) > [Look at Bob Dylan: his voice is not a great sound, but it gets the idea across... and that is what's really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/look-at-bob-dylan-his-voice-is-not-a-great-sound-but-it-gets-the-idea/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [Courtney Love's name should be right next to Bob Dylan when they say best lyricist of all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-perry/courtney-love-s-name-should-be-right-next-to-bob-dylan-when-they-say/) [Linda Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-perry/) > [I've been really, really blessed. I got to perform on stage with Bob Dylan. I've gotten to sing with Mick Jagger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-ve-been-really-really-blessed-i-got-to-perform-on-stage-with-bob/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Most of the artists were trying to make a living, trying to get laid, trying to figure out who they were. They weren't trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-geffen/most-of-the-artists-were-trying-to-make-a-living-trying-to-get-laid/) [David Geffen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-geffen/) > [ Probably the high-watermark of \[Bob\] Dylan's career came after he plugged in his guitar ("Judas!" one fan shouted during a concert) and exploded American… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/probably-the-high-watermark-of-bob-dylan-s-career-came-after-he/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I first met (Bob Dylan) in '65. We've had a friendship for a long time. He decided to play on a record I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-sahm/i-first-met-bob-dylan-in-65-we-ve-had-a-friendship-for-a-long-time-he/) [Doug Sahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-sahm/) > [Producing Bob Dylan was pretty much a spectator sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-kooper/producing-bob-dylan-was-pretty-much-a-spectator-sport/) [Al Kooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-kooper/) > [That's who I wanted to be like was Bob Dylan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/that-s-who-i-wanted-to-be-like-was-bob-dylan/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [ The most recent incarnation of \[Bob\] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan-has-been-the-traveling/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I like men who are very cool but who are also so brilliant that they are almost insane. Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Bob Dylan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/i-like-men-who-are-very-cool-but-who-are-also-so-brilliant-that-they/) [Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/) > [ Except in these latter-day songs, \[Bob\] Dylan is a grizzled old prophet who's already been to hell and back. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/except-in-these-latter-day-songs-bob-dylan-is-a-grizzled-old-prophet/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) ## More by Joe Bonamassa > [That's the thing about the blues: It's one thing to hit a note on a guitar. To make it matter is something else altogether.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/that-s-the-thing-about-the-blues-it-s-one-thing-to-hit-a-note-on-a/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [My first proper 'Here's your guitar, Joseph' was a 1981 Chiquita, one of those Erlewine travel guitars. And it was good for a four-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/my-first-proper-here-s-your-guitar-joseph-was-a-1981-chiquita-one-of/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [I collect as many acoustic guitars as I need for a specific purpose. Acoustic guitars are really just tools for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-collect-as-many-acoustic-guitars-as-i-need-for-a-specific-purpose/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [When you're 12 and, you know, slightly overweight and - for lack of a better word - white, and you're playing blues, you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/when-you-re-12-and-you-know-slightly-overweight-and-for-lack-of-a/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [The blues, the way it's interpreted, is always a product of your environment, and so it's almost like food. You know, it's like you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/the-blues-the-way-it-s-interpreted-is-always-a-product-of-your/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [At the end of the day, you really want to make sure that organic music, made by human beings, at least has a voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/at-the-end-of-the-day-you-really-want-to-make-sure-that-organic-music/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [If I'm soloing, I usually try to start with a theme, which will often stem from the blues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/if-i-m-soloing-i-usually-try-to-start-with-a-theme-which-will-often/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [Greece was a muse. It inspired creativity in magical ways that I can't even begin to understand or explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/greece-was-a-muse-it-inspired-creativity-in-magical-ways-that-i-can-t/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [There was a rumour that I was buying Gibson. It circulated around the Internet... And I just go, 'How well off do you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/there-was-a-rumour-that-i-was-buying-gibson-it-circulated-around-the/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [It's not enough to play a song: you have to inhabit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/it-s-not-enough-to-play-a-song-you-have-to-inhabit-it/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [I love to collect guitars made in the 1950s. I like preserving and playing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-love-to-collect-guitars-made-in-the-1950s-i-like-preserving-and/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [I've always been a big fan of taking old songs and completely turning them on their head. Having no adherence to the fine tradition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-ve-always-been-a-big-fan-of-taking-old-songs-and-completely-turning/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [My first memory of guitar was seeing my father play one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/my-first-memory-of-guitar-was-seeing-my-father-play-one/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [Nothing I'm doing musically is revolutionary in any way, shape, or form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/nothing-i-m-doing-musically-is-revolutionary-in-any-way-shape-or-form/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [I dislike all those cookie-cutter Nashville songs. You know the ones: about tight jeans and pick-up trucks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-dislike-all-those-cookie-cutter-nashville-songs-you-know-the-ones/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) [Explore all 100 Joe Bonamassa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) ## More Bob dylan quotes > [ Except in these latter-day songs, \[Bob\] Dylan is a grizzled old prophet who's already been to hell and back. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/except-in-these-latter-day-songs-bob-dylan-is-a-grizzled-old-prophet/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I like men who are very cool but who are also so brilliant that they are almost insane. Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Bob Dylan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/i-like-men-who-are-very-cool-but-who-are-also-so-brilliant-that-they/) [Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/) > [ The most recent incarnation of \[Bob\] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan-has-been-the-traveling/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [That's who I wanted to be like was Bob Dylan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/that-s-who-i-wanted-to-be-like-was-bob-dylan/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Neil Young and Bob Dylan are my main influences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-simpson/jack-johnson-john-mayer-neil-young-and-bob-dylan-are-my-main/) [Cody Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-simpson/) > [Producing Bob Dylan was pretty much a spectator sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-kooper/producing-bob-dylan-was-pretty-much-a-spectator-sport/) [Al Kooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-kooper/) > [I first met (Bob Dylan) in '65. We've had a friendship for a long time. He decided to play on a record I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-sahm/i-first-met-bob-dylan-in-65-we-ve-had-a-friendship-for-a-long-time-he/) [Doug Sahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-sahm/) > [ Probably the high-watermark of \[Bob\] Dylan's career came after he plugged in his guitar ("Judas!" one fan shouted during a concert) and exploded American… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/probably-the-high-watermark-of-bob-dylan-s-career-came-after-he/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [Most of the artists were trying to make a living, trying to get laid, trying to figure out who they were. They weren't trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-geffen/most-of-the-artists-were-trying-to-make-a-living-trying-to-get-laid/) [David Geffen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-geffen/) > [I've been really, really blessed. I got to perform on stage with Bob Dylan. I've gotten to sing with Mick Jagger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-ve-been-really-really-blessed-i-got-to-perform-on-stage-with-bob/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Courtney Love's name should be right next to Bob Dylan when they say best lyricist of all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-perry/courtney-love-s-name-should-be-right-next-to-bob-dylan-when-they-say/) [Linda Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-perry/) > [ “Like almost all of Beefheart's recorded work, \[Trout Mask Replica\] was not even "ahead" of its time in 1969. Then and now, it stands… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bangs/like-almost-all-of-beefheart-s-recorded-work-trout-mask-replica-was/) [Lester Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bangs/) > [Look at Bob Dylan: his voice is not a great sound, but it gets the idea across... and that is what's really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/look-at-bob-dylan-his-voice-is-not-a-great-sound-but-it-gets-the-idea/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“We’re freer now, less encumbered by plans, more overwhelmed by the range of available choices, each of us enacting that wonderful line from Bob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-noxon/we-re-freer-now-less-encumbered-by-plans-more-overwhelmed-by-the/) [Christopher Noxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-noxon/) > [I never could understand - it was impossible for me to get my head around - what the furor was, what the sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/i-never-could-understand-it-was-impossible-for-me-to-get-my-head/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) [Browse all 351 Bob dylan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bob-dylan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never had this ego where I must write everything. I'm not Bob Dylan.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Bonamassa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write-everything-i-m-not-bob-dylan/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bob dylan" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write-everything-i-m-not-bob-dylan/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/joe-bonamassa-6126_bob-dylan_i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write_2490253.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I never had this ego where I must write everything. I'm not Bob Dylan.” — Joe Bonamassa", "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": "Joe Bonamassa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I never had this ego where...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write-everything-i-m-not-bob-dylan/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/i-never-had-this-ego-where-i-must-write-everything-i-m-not-bob-dylan/#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 } } ] } ```