Berries Quote by John Lennon
“Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it. If you were going to give Rock 'n' Roll another name you might as well call it Chuck Berry. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - Rock and Roll or Christianity.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Rolling Stone Magazine, 1970
The speaker argues that music belongs to everyone, not publishers, and likens rock 'n' roll to a cultural force as influential as religion.
In simple terms: Music is a shared cultural property, not owned by anyone.
Key Takeaway
Support open access to music and cultural expression.
Themes
art
culture
property
freedom
religion
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
optimistic
Type
philosophical
musical
cultural
When to use this quote
- music distribution
- copyright law
- cultural movements
- public policy
- education
Key Concepts
Intellectual property
cultural ownership
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How should we balance creators' rights with public access?
- What role does music play in shaping society?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may exaggerate rock's influence compared to religion and overlook creators' rights.