--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's not what people pay for. They pay…" description: "\"That's not what people pay for. They pay to come see us play live, create magic on stage, not to be told how to live their lives.\" — John Dolmayan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/john-dolmayan-5969_create_that-s-not-what-people-pay-for-they-pay_1957970.jpg" --- # That's not what people pay for. They pay to come see us… ![“That's not what people pay for. They pay to come see us play live, create magic on stage, not to be told how to live their lives.” quote by John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/john-dolmayan-5969_create_that-s-not-what-people-pay-for-they-pay_1957970.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/john-dolmayan-5969_create_that-s-not-what-people-pay-for-they-pay_1957970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/john-dolmayan-5969_create_that-s-not-what-people-pay-for-they-pay_1957970.jpg) > “That's not what people pay for. They pay to come see us play live, create magic on stage, not to be told how to live their lives.” [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People attend live performances for the experience and emotion, not for prescriptive life advice. **In simple terms:** Fans want entertainment, not lessons. Key Takeaway Focus on delivering authentic experiences. Themes performance audience authenticity entertainment Mood thoughtful analytical Type statement philosophical When to use this quote - concerts - theater productions - live streams - festival planning Key Concepts experience design emotional impact artist-audience relationship Questions to Reflect On - Should artists influence personal choices? - Can entertainment be both enjoyable and instructive? A Different Perspective Some may argue that artists can inspire personal change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [Normally, I do magic on the stage. But I can make magic credible and resonate through a TV screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/normally-i-do-magic-on-the-stage-but-i-can-make-magic-credible-and/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [What humility does for one is it reminds us that there are people before me. I have already been paid for. And what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/what-humility-does-for-one-is-it-reminds-us-that-there-are-people/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [It is important that we learn humility, which says there was someone else before me who paid for me. My responsibility is to prepare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/it-is-important-that-we-learn-humility-which-says-there-was-someone/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [When I met her she was Anna Mae. I was the one who turned her into Tina Turner. I had to tell her how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/when-i-met-her-she-was-anna-mae-i-was-the-one-who-turned-her-into/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [It always bothered me when people came off stage and were told how great they were. They weren't, really, in my opinion. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/it-always-bothered-me-when-people-came-off-stage-and-were-told-how/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [I loved being on stage, but I told myself that if I didn't get into RADA, I wouldn't pursue an acting career. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oona-chaplin/i-loved-being-on-stage-but-i-told-myself-that-if-i-didn-t-get-into/) [Oona Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oona-chaplin/) > [I guess I prefer to play live, but I don't want to have only live CDs. I like playing live because there are alot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-perry/i-guess-i-prefer-to-play-live-but-i-don-t-want-to-have-only-live-cds/) [Katy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-perry/) > [I don't like to play live. And if I don't like to do it, why should I?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/i-don-t-like-to-play-live-and-if-i-don-t-like-to-do-it-why-should-i/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [I've always loved to play live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-frampton/i-ve-always-loved-to-play-live/) [Peter Frampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-frampton/) > [I have started to record some demos so hopefully in the near future I can play live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-treadaway/i-have-started-to-record-some-demos-so-hopefully-in-the-near-future-i/) [Luke Treadaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-treadaway/) > [Obviously, the big hits like 'Shout,' 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World,' 'Head Over Heels,' we play live, so there's nothing new about them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/obviously-the-big-hits-like-shout-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [When you play live, everything goes up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waite/when-you-play-live-everything-goes-up/) [John Waite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waite/) > [I think what AC/DC does best is play live. That's when everything comes together. Even after you make a studio album, when you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-young/i-think-what-ac-dc-does-best-is-play-live-that-s-when-everything/) [Angus Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-young/) > [When I play live, it's a conversation that we're all having with the song, and the audience... their response and relationship with the songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/when-i-play-live-it-s-a-conversation-that-we-re-all-having-with-the/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) > [The advice I have for new artists is this - write great songs and play them live as often as possible. Get residencies all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/the-advice-i-have-for-new-artists-is-this-write-great-songs-and-play/) [Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/) ## More by John Dolmayan > [I never wanted System to take a hiatus. I think it was a disastrous move for us, because we never reached our peak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-never-wanted-system-to-take-a-hiatus-i-think-it-was-a-disastrous/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [You've gotta let things go in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/you-ve-gotta-let-things-go-in-life/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [My band is stupid, and we're gonna continue to be stupid, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/my-band-is-stupid-and-we-re-gonna-continue-to-be-stupid-i-guess/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [If you're in love with a girl, you go out with a girl and you break up with her it doesn't mean you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/if-you-re-in-love-with-a-girl-you-go-out-with-a-girl-and-you-break-up/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [When you're passionate about music, you don't give up on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/when-you-re-passionate-about-music-you-don-t-give-up-on-it/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [The fact is I don't write songs, per se; I've written a couple here and there, but that's not my forte.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/the-fact-is-i-don-t-write-songs-per-se-i-ve-written-a-couple-here-and/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [There's four individuals in the band. I don't speak for any of the individuals except for myself, and neither does Serj. But because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/there-s-four-individuals-in-the-band-i-don-t-speak-for-any-of-the/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [The definition of a band is the selflessness. That's what a society is, isn't it? We're all thinking, like, together we make something great.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/the-definition-of-a-band-is-the-selflessness-that-s-what-a-society-is/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [Don't believe everything the famous people tell you - they don't know anything for the most part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/don-t-believe-everything-the-famous-people-tell-you-they-don-t-know/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [I started selling in the early '90s, because at 18 years old, it's tough to go to your parents and say, 'Can I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-started-selling-in-the-early-90s-because-at-18-years-old-it-s-tough/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [It's hard to take a stand. Most people are just trying to earn a living, take care of their families, give their kids a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/it-s-hard-to-take-a-stand-most-people-are-just-trying-to-earn-a/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [No matter what, Daron is one of the best songwriters I've ever seen in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/no-matter-what-daron-is-one-of-the-best-songwriters-i-ve-ever-seen-in/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [I find it really difficult to keep my mouth shut when I see injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-find-it-really-difficult-to-keep-my-mouth-shut-when-i-see-injustice/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [We tried to get together multiple times to make an album, but there were certain rules set in place that made it difficult to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/we-tried-to-get-together-multiple-times-to-make-an-album-but-there/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [While I was driving, I'd put on satellite radio and listen to whatever came on. Oftentimes, I'd hear something and ask myself how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/while-i-was-driving-i-d-put-on-satellite-radio-and-listen-to-whatever/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) [Explore all 100 John Dolmayan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) ## More Create quotes > [As far as Vern and I go, we have had situations where people have tried to take photographs of me and cut Vernon out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/as-far-as-vern-and-i-go-we-have-had-situations-where-people-have/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [To me, Caribbean food is about fresh, seasonal produce - using what's in season to create vibrant and great tasting food. The spicing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/to-me-caribbean-food-is-about-fresh-seasonal-produce-using-what-s-in/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I'm a weirdo and an only child. That comes together to create one-woman shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/i-m-a-weirdo-and-an-only-child-that-comes-together-to-create-one/) [Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/) > [I'm proud to stand with U.S. Impact Team in their initiative to create harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-stanton-king/i-m-proud-to-stand-with-u-s-impact-team-in-their-initiative-to-create/) [Angela Stanton-King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-stanton-king/) > [I am not a nationalist in any way, and I hate flag waving, and I don't think much good has come out of nationalism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stellan-skarsgard/i-am-not-a-nationalist-in-any-way-and-i-hate-flag-waving-and-i-don-t/) [Stellan Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stellan-skarsgard/) > [My favourite designers always create a strong silhouette, like McQueen and Tom Ford and Alaia. I like structured things that you can throw on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberty-ross/my-favourite-designers-always-create-a-strong-silhouette-like-mcqueen/) [Liberty Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberty-ross/) > [I'd take garbage, and I'd glue them together and create inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-d-take-garbage-and-i-d-glue-them-together-and-create-inventions/) [Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/) > [United Way works to create a safe and healthy home for everyone in our community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steward/united-way-works-to-create-a-safe-and-healthy-home-for-everyone-in/) [David Steward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steward/) > [Renewable energy could reduce emissions but also create jobs and improve public health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/renewable-energy-could-reduce-emissions-but-also-create-jobs-and/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) > [“If I can create something unique in the world, so can you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scifurz/if-i-can-create-something-unique-in-the-world-so-can-you/) SciFurz > [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [For a long time at Blackburn and at Fulham last season, I was playing on the right wing. I've never seen myself as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cairney/for-a-long-time-at-blackburn-and-at-fulham-last-season-i-was-playing/) [Tom Cairney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cairney/) > [We've got to get back to a country that can get things done. And my whole career has been marching and charging at and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/we-ve-got-to-get-back-to-a-country-that-can-get-things-done-and-my/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) Browse all 5,654 Create quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That's not what people pay for. 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