--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My role models came in my imagination…" description: "\"My role models came in my imagination, from what I'd heard on the radio or on record... Vera Lynn I loved, but I'd only ever heard her on the radio. Go..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/judith-durham-10023_imagination_my-role-models-came-in-my-imagination-fr_2857901.jpg" --- # My role models came in my imagination, from what I'd heard… ![“My role models came in my imagination, from what I'd heard on the radio or on record... Vera Lynn I loved, but I'd only ever heard her on the radio. Gospel singers, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson. So it was in my head that I visualised the emotion but no way to see how people do it.” quote by Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/judith-durham-10023_imagination_my-role-models-came-in-my-imagination-fr_2857901.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/judith-durham-10023_imagination_my-role-models-came-in-my-imagination-fr_2857901.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/judith-durham-10023_imagination_my-role-models-came-in-my-imagination-fr_2857901.jpg) > “My role models came in my imagination, from what I'd heard on the radio or on record... Vera Lynn I loved, but I'd only ever heard her on the radio. Gospel singers, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson. So it was in my head that I visualised the emotion but no way to see how people do it.” [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imagined role models shape emotional imagination without visual reference. **In simple terms:** Radio voices formed mental images. Key Takeaway Let imagination inspire you. Themes imagination role models media Mood nostalgic thoughtful Type cultural inspirational When to use this quote - music appreciation - creative writing - personal motivation Key Concepts cultural studies psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do imagined influences affect reality? - Can we meet imagined expectations? A Different Perspective Imagined models may be idealized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bessie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bessie-smith/) [Came Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-imagination-3839725/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imagination Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination-heard-3839724/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Lynn Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lynn-loved-3839726/) [Mahalia Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mahalia-jackson/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Role models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-models/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I would find myself laughing and wondering where these ideas came from. You can call it imagination, I suppose. But I was grateful for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-would-find-myself-laughing-and-wondering-where-these-ideas-came/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [It's definitely true that there are a lot of the devices we used on 'Star Trek,' that came out the imagination of the writers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levar-burton/it-s-definitely-true-that-there-are-a-lot-of-the-devices-we-used-on/) [LeVar Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/levar-burton/) > [I met musician Ken Farmer in Lorne and he lent me all of his Bessie Smith blues LPs. That's when I started to sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-met-musician-ken-farmer-in-lorne-and-he-lent-me-all-of-his-bessie/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [Mahalia Jackson, I grew up around the corner from in Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichelle-nichols/mahalia-jackson-i-grew-up-around-the-corner-from-in-chicago/) [Nichelle Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichelle-nichols/) > [Gospel music was very prevalent in my house. My mother also loved Nat King Cole. That was some of the first music that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-porter/gospel-music-was-very-prevalent-in-my-house-my-mother-also-loved-nat/) [Gregory Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-porter/) > [I grew up with music in the house. I was told I could sing as soon as I started talking. Everybody in my family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chapman/i-grew-up-with-music-in-the-house-i-was-told-i-could-sing-as-soon-as/) [Tracy Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chapman/) > [When I am chopping trees out in the woods because I heat my house with wood, I feel myself right in the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-seeger/when-i-am-chopping-trees-out-in-the-woods-because-i-heat-my-house/) [Pete Seeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-seeger/) > [I grew up in St. Louis in a tiny house full of large music - Mahalia Jackson and Marian Anderson singing majestically on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-shihab-nye/i-grew-up-in-st-louis-in-a-tiny-house-full-of-large-music-mahalia/) [Naomi Shihab Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-shihab-nye/) > [As a child I always wanted to be a singer. The music my mother played in the house moved me - Aretha Franklin, Chaka…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/as-a-child-i-always-wanted-to-be-a-singer-the-music-my-mother-played/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [Growing up in Cleveland, I learned about singing from my mother, who had once sung professionally and who admired Mahalia Jackson and Aretha Franklin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chapman/growing-up-in-cleveland-i-learned-about-singing-from-my-mother-who/) [Tracy Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chapman/) > [Oh boy, I grew up hearing Sam Cooke, The Soul Stirrers, Mahalia Jackson, sitting on Mahalia Jackson's lap in my dad's church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merry-clayton/oh-boy-i-grew-up-hearing-sam-cooke-the-soul-stirrers-mahalia-jackson/) [Merry Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merry-clayton/) > [Yes, I heard my people singing!-in the glow of parlor coal-stove and on summer porches sweet with lilac air, from choir loft and Sunday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/yes-i-heard-my-people-singing-in-the-glow-of-parlor-coal-stove-and-on/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [The singer who really opened the door for me was Sarah Vaughan. But I listen to so much music, especially when I was growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/the-singer-who-really-opened-the-door-for-me-was-sarah-vaughan-but-i/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [The reason we probably started dating is because I knew who Mahalia Jackson was. Derek's like, 'What? You do?' I was like, 'Yes, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-tedeschi/the-reason-we-probably-started-dating-is-because-i-knew-who-mahalia/) [Susan Tedeschi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-tedeschi/) > [“1963 March on Washington. Mahalia Jackson sang a triumphant “How I Got Over,” recalling the storefront singer of her youth and not the officious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-heilbut/1963-march-on-washington-mahalia-jackson-sang-a-triumphant-how-i-got/) [Anthony Heilbut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-heilbut/) ## More by Judith Durham > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [If you join a choir, it's a wonderful outlet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/if-you-join-a-choir-it-s-a-wonderful-outlet/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [As it turns out, I can see I'm quite a business-minded person as I've developed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/as-it-turns-out-i-can-see-i-m-quite-a-business-minded-person-as-i-ve/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [You sort of feel when you are given an award, you feel like, well then you have got to do something to deserve having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/you-sort-of-feel-when-you-are-given-an-award-you-feel-like-well-then/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I was shy. But when I sang I felt really empowered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-was-shy-but-when-i-sang-i-felt-really-empowered/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [Music is nourishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/music-is-nourishment/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I'm moved by what I hear about the power of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-m-moved-by-what-i-hear-about-the-power-of-music/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [We wanted to be ourselves, to sing and speak with our own accent and it was fantastic that we were not asked to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/we-wanted-to-be-ourselves-to-sing-and-speak-with-our-own-accent-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I'm certainly never running away from the Seekers again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-m-certainly-never-running-away-from-the-seekers-again/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [One of the reasons we had our reunion tours in the '90s was the unexpectedness of how the music had gone, that these songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/one-of-the-reasons-we-had-our-reunion-tours-in-the-90s-was-the/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [Everything in life happens for a reason and it's important to embrace it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/everything-in-life-happens-for-a-reason-and-it-s-important-to-embrace/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [In 1990 I had a nasty car accident and in 1994 my husband Ron Edgeworth died of motor neurone disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/in-1990-i-had-a-nasty-car-accident-and-in-1994-my-husband-ron/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I knew exactly what to do in The Seekers but I didn't know what it would be like to be a solo artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-knew-exactly-what-to-do-in-the-seekers-but-i-didn-t-know-what-it/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [Generosity of spirit is worthwhile. I've had many requests over the years to attend things, to sing somewhere. I try not to turn things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/generosity-of-spirit-is-worthwhile-i-ve-had-many-requests-over-the/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [A lot of my philosophies came from sheet music. 'Some Day My Prince Will Come,' or 'Blue Skies Smiling at Me' - they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/a-lot-of-my-philosophies-came-from-sheet-music-some-day-my-prince/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) [Explore all 68 Judith Durham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) ## More Imagination quotes > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/a-rock-pile-ceases-to-be-a-rock-pile-the-moment-a-single-man/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Imagination is the greatest nation in the world!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/imagination-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Merkel has realized that the euro is not working, but she cannot change the narrative she has created because that narrative has caught the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/merkel-has-realized-that-the-euro-is-not-working-but-she-cannot/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [Life is what you make it¦If one refuses to use ones imagination..it will be boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-what-you-make-it-if-one-refuses-to-use-ones-imagination-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Jonah Lehrer is one of the most talented explainers of science that we’ve got. What a pleasure it is to follow his investigation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/jonah-lehrer-is-one-of-the-most-talented-explainers-of-science-that/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [If you've got creativity, imagination, and intelligence, and you want to be hypnotised, then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-barry/if-you-ve-got-creativity-imagination-and-intelligence-and-you-want-to/) [Keith Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-barry/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [A beard is something that is almost like a mirror to the viewer. When someone sees you wearing a beard, they're seeing something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/a-beard-is-something-that-is-almost-like-a-mirror-to-the-viewer-when/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [I like fantasy, but I don't live and breathe fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/i-like-fantasy-but-i-don-t-live-and-breathe-fantasy/) [Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/) > [While the world of reality has its limits, the world of your imagination is without boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/while-the-world-of-reality-has-its-limits-the-world-of-your/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Edgy is fine - I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination - but what's wrong with a good ol' belly laugh?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-burnett/edgy-is-fine-i-m-not-a-prude-by-any-stretch-of-the-imagination-but/) [Carol Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-burnett/) > [With VR, we have this same vision, which is create this ultimate platform for sharing your imagination. Our huge community of 300,000 developers creates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baszucki/with-vr-we-have-this-same-vision-which-is-create-this-ultimate/) [David Baszucki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baszucki/) > [I like the idea of letting the music do its own work and the stories being more expressionful - if that's a word -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-like-the-idea-of-letting-the-music-do-its-own-work-and-the-stories/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) [Browse all 9,060 Imagination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My role models came in my imagination, from what I'd heard on the radio or on record... Vera Lynn I loved, but I'd only ever heard her on the radio. Gospel singers, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson. 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