--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What Muddy Waters did for us is what we…" description: "\"What Muddy Waters did for us is what we should do for others. It's the old thing, what you want written on your tombstone as a musician: 'He passed it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/keith-richards-1996_muddy_what-muddy-waters-did-for-us-is-what-we_431470.jpg" --- # What Muddy Waters did for us is what we should do for… ![“What Muddy Waters did for us is what we should do for others. It's the old thing, what you want written on your tombstone as a musician: 'He passed it on.'” quote by Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/keith-richards-1996_muddy_what-muddy-waters-did-for-us-is-what-we_431470.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/keith-richards-1996_muddy_what-muddy-waters-did-for-us-is-what-we_431470.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/keith-richards-1996_muddy_what-muddy-waters-did-for-us-is-what-we_431470.jpg) > “What Muddy Waters did for us is what we should do for others. It's the old thing, what you want written on your tombstone as a musician: 'He passed it on.'” [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote emphasizes passing on knowledge and inspiration to future generations, as musicians should mentor others. **In simple terms:** Pass on what you learn to others. Key Takeaway Mentor and share your craft. Themes legacy mentorship creativity Mood reflective inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - musicians teaching apprentices - artists collaborating - community workshops - career guidance Key Concepts knowledge transfer influence generativity Questions to Reflect On - How can you actively support the next generation? - What legacy do you want to leave? A Different Perspective Mentoring alone may not guarantee the mentee's success without resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Muddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muddy/) [Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muddy-waters/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Old thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-thing/) [Old things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-things/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Tombstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tombstone/) [Tombstone Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tombstone-musician-3802312/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Waters Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waters-did-1666143/) [What you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-you-want/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/) ## Related quotes > [Everybody starts by imitating their heroes. For me it was Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/everybody-starts-by-imitating-their-heroes-for-me-it-was-chuck-berry/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [It’s one thing to play a Muddy Waters song. It’s another thing to play with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/it-s-one-thing-to-play-a-muddy-waters-song-it-s-another-thing-to-play/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [“We were in Mississippi. We’d been playing this music, and it had all been very respectful, but then we were actually there sniffing it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/we-were-in-mississippi-we-d-been-playing-this-music-and-it-had-all/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I'd play whenever I could get my hands on an electric guitar; I was trying to pick up rock'n'roll riffs and electric blues -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/i-d-play-whenever-i-could-get-my-hands-on-an-electric-guitar-i-was/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [Everybody is doing the same old thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everybody-is-doing-the-same-old-thing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [An old thing becomes new if you detach it from what usually surrounds it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bresson/an-old-thing-becomes-new-if-you-detach-it-from-what-usually-surrounds/) [Robert Bresson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bresson/) > [I don't want to always be doing the same old thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-plaskett/i-don-t-want-to-always-be-doing-the-same-old-thing/) [Joseph Plaskett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-plaskett/) > [library is a beautiful old thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/library-is-a-beautiful-old-thing/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [Be Prepared." "Be prepared for what?" "Why, for any old thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-baden-powell/be-prepared-be-prepared-for-what-why-for-any-old-thing/) [Robert Baden-Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-baden-powell/) > [That first bass I had was an Eko, a very old thing with a thin neck, I had that for quite a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-deacon/that-first-bass-i-had-was-an-eko-a-very-old-thing-with-a-thin-neck-i/) [John Deacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-deacon/) > [The same old thing--even if it's champagne--is still the same old thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-same-old-thing-even-if-it-s-champagne-is-still-the-same-old-thing/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [I don't like the same old thing all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-don-t-like-the-same-old-thing-all-the-time/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [Obsolescence is a factor which says that the new thing I bring you is worth more than the unused value of the old thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kettering/obsolescence-is-a-factor-which-says-that-the-new-thing-i-bring-you-is/) [Charles Kettering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kettering/) > [Muddy Waters was, like, the king! He had a lot of adopted sons and daughters. I was just happy to be one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cray/muddy-waters-was-like-the-king-he-had-a-lot-of-adopted-sons-and/) [Robert Cray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cray/) > [Little Walter and Muddy Waters were incredible. And Bo Diddley was doing some great stuff, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/columbus-short/little-walter-and-muddy-waters-were-incredible-and-bo-diddley-was/) [Columbus Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/columbus-short/) ## More by Keith Richards > [“When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/when-you-are-growing-up-there-are-two-institutional-places-that/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [“Wild Horses" started in a B-minor chord, and Stu didn't play minor chords, "fucking Chinese music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/wild-horses-started-in-a-b-minor-chord-and-stu-didn-t-play-minor/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [“And you listen to some of that meticulous Mozart stuff and Vivaldi and you realize that they knew that too. They knew when to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/and-you-listen-to-some-of-that-meticulous-mozart-stuff-and-vivaldi/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [Everybody's got a different way of telling a story - and has different stories to tell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/everybody-s-got-a-different-way-of-telling-a-story-and-has-different/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [Let me be clear about this. I don't have a drug problem. I have a police problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/let-me-be-clear-about-this-i-don-t-have-a-drug-problem-i-have-a/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [It's called the mysterious rhythm of life, ... I can't quite account for it. It's probably an addiction, quite honestly. I need that shot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/it-s-called-the-mysterious-rhythm-of-life-i-can-t-quite-account-for/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I never thought I was wasted, but I probably was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/i-never-thought-i-was-wasted-but-i-probably-was/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I don't encourage anybody to do what I do, you know? Why should you? More for me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/i-don-t-encourage-anybody-to-do-what-i-do-you-know-why-should-you/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [The idea of retiring is like killing yourself. It's almost like Hari Kari. I intend to live to a 100 and go down in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/the-idea-of-retiring-is-like-killing-yourself-it-s-almost-like-hari/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [“La gente me pregunta "por qué no lo dejas?". El hecho es que no me puedo retirar hasta que no estire la pata. Creo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/la-gente-me-pregunta-por-qu-no-lo-dejas-el-hecho-es-que-no-me-puedo/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [Before Elvis, everything was in black and white. Then came Elvis. Zoom, glorious Technicolor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/before-elvis-everything-was-in-black-and-white-then-came-elvis-zoom/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [There's no substitute for live work to keep a band together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/there-s-no-substitute-for-live-work-to-keep-a-band-together/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [But I've always felt very comfortable on stage, even if I screw up. It always felt like a dog, this is my turf, piss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/but-i-ve-always-felt-very-comfortable-on-stage-even-if-i-screw-up-it/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I'm not getting old I'm evolving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/i-m-not-getting-old-i-m-evolving/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I'm an unpure purist, something like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/i-m-an-unpure-purist-something-like-that/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) [Explore all 190 Keith Richards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) ## More Muddy quotes > [Little Walter and Muddy Waters were incredible. And Bo Diddley was doing some great stuff, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/columbus-short/little-walter-and-muddy-waters-were-incredible-and-bo-diddley-was/) [Columbus Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/columbus-short/) > [Plato, the first true pope of philosophy (sorry, Socrates), argued for a World of Forms above the reality-a transcendent plane of perfect essences, pure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/plato-the-first-true-pope-of-philosophy-sorry-socrates-argued-for-a/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) > [Listen, the story of the United States is this: One kid, without anything, walks out of his house, down the road, with nothing but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-bone-burnett/listen-the-story-of-the-united-states-is-this-one-kid-without/) [T Bone Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-bone-burnett/) > [Woodstock - I didn't see anybody play, except when I was standing backstage waiting to go on, because it was so muddy. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-slick/woodstock-i-didn-t-see-anybody-play-except-when-i-was-standing/) [Grace Slick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-slick/) > [My favorite country blues player was Big Bill Broonzy. City blues was Freddie King, but I liked them all - Muddy Waters, John Lee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-lee/my-favorite-country-blues-player-was-big-bill-broonzy-city-blues-was/) [Alvin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-lee/) > [“Offence is like muddy soil; when trapped underfoot, it resists rapid progress. Don't trap offences under your mind, else you resist change! Jesus said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/offence-is-like-muddy-soil-when-trapped-underfoot-it-resists-rapid/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [There's truth in wine, and there may be some in gin and muddy beer; but whether it's truth worth my knowing, is another question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-s-truth-in-wine-and-there-may-be-some-in-gin-and-muddy-beer-but/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [Science, which cuts its way through the muddy pond of daily life without mingling with it, casts its wealth to right and left, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-herzen/science-which-cuts-its-way-through-the-muddy-pond-of-daily-life/) [Alexander Herzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-herzen/) > [I feel like a midget with muddy feet had been walking over my tongue all night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/i-feel-like-a-midget-with-muddy-feet-had-been-walking-over-my-tongue/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [Muddy Waters was, like, the king! He had a lot of adopted sons and daughters. I was just happy to be one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cray/muddy-waters-was-like-the-king-he-had-a-lot-of-adopted-sons-and/) [Robert Cray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cray/) > [It was blazing sunshine and I went on in a turquoise neck muff, glamorous dress and muddy boots and just had the best gig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kt-tunstall/it-was-blazing-sunshine-and-i-went-on-in-a-turquoise-neck-muff/) [KT Tunstall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kt-tunstall/) > [Wet sneakers and muddy clothes are prerequisites for understanding the water cycle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sobel/wet-sneakers-and-muddy-clothes-are-prerequisites-for-understanding/) [David Sobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sobel/) > [Such a muddy line between the things you want/And the things you have to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/such-a-muddy-line-between-the-things-you-want-and-the-things-you-have/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [“The music of hope is everywhere, but to hear it, you need to ignore the muddy jangle of life's hassles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-m-knight-2/the-music-of-hope-is-everywhere-but-to-hear-it-you-need-to-ignore-the/) [Christine M Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-m-knight-2/) > [I've always wanted the sound of Muddy Waters' early records - only louder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/i-ve-always-wanted-the-sound-of-muddy-waters-early-records-only-louder/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) [Browse all 196 Muddy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muddy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What Muddy Waters did for us is what we should do for others. 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