--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Turning music into digital was just a…" description: "\"Turning music into digital was just a con, a record-company con.\" — John Mellencamp" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36e/john-mellencamp-5745_company_turning-music-into-digital-was-just-a-co_655688.jpg" --- # Turning music into digital was just a con, a… ![“Turning music into digital was just a con, a record-company con.” quote by John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36e/john-mellencamp-5745_company_turning-music-into-digital-was-just-a-co_655688.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36e/john-mellencamp-5745_company_turning-music-into-digital-was-just-a-co_655688.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36e/john-mellencamp-5745_company_turning-music-into-digital-was-just-a-co_655688.jpg) > “Turning music into digital was just a con, a record-company con.” [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He criticizes the music industry's exploitation of artists through digital formats. **In simple terms:** He sees digital music as a corporate trap. Key Takeaway Beware of corporate motives in music. Themes industry exploitation technology art authenticity Mood skeptical critical Type cautionary observational When to use this quote - musicians negotiating contracts - listeners choosing platforms - record labels setting prices Key Concepts Capitalism digital rights artist autonomy Questions to Reflect On - How does digital distribution affect artistic freedom? - Can artists benefit from digital platforms? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize; not all digital music is exploitative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Digital](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/digital/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Record companies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/record-companies/) [Record company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/record-company/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [For me, digital is just another avenue. It doesn't mean that it has to be poor quality or poor content. But, you still run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-ventimiglia/for-me-digital-is-just-another-avenue-it-doesn-t-mean-that-it-has-to/) [Milo Ventimiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-ventimiglia/) > [Traditional ads placed into digital just shout at the consumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-reeves/traditional-ads-placed-into-digital-just-shout-at-the-consumer/) [Michael Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-reeves/) > [That's the beauty with music in the digital age: you're always one follow away from experiencing something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-david/that-s-the-beauty-with-music-in-the-digital-age-you-re-always-one/) [Craig David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-david/) > [The world is changing, and the way we consume music is obviously changing. I was one of the biggest CD advocates you will find,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-shadows/the-world-is-changing-and-the-way-we-consume-music-is-obviously/) [M. Shadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-shadows/) > [Music was everything. But what the digital revolution has done, with streaming services and downloads, is take the value out of music. When things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-deyoung/music-was-everything-but-what-the-digital-revolution-has-done-with/) [Dennis DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-deyoung/) > [I don't want to do a gimmick. It's a bummer that that's how it is. 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While you a dead superstar, the record company still cashin' checks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/master-p/who-wanna-be-next-while-you-a-dead-superstar-the-record-company-still/) [Master P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/master-p/) > [I have my own record company. I have to answer to God, basically. I'm not young, so I want to make the best possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gira/i-have-my-own-record-company-i-have-to-answer-to-god-basically-i-m/) [Michael Gira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gira/) > [I have tons of tunes, maybe 30 tunes that I still think are great, and only because some jerk at a record company didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/i-have-tons-of-tunes-maybe-30-tunes-that-i-still-think-are-great-and/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) ## More by John Mellencamp > [My grandmother made sure that I went to church every Sunday. 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