--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I make music, I play it, I produce…" description: "\"When I make music, I play it, I produce it, I write it. It's a very self-centered thing, not in a negative way. But I primarily work by myself, that's ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbf/lenny-kravitz-1836_acting_when-i-make-music-i-play-it-i-produce-it_2690289.jpg" --- # When I make music, I play it, I produce it, I write it… ![“When I make music, I play it, I produce it, I write it. It's a very self-centered thing, not in a negative way. But I primarily work by myself, that's my process. When I'm acting, I'm there to serve the director and the character. I'm here to give you what you need. Communicate that to me and I…” quote by Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbf/lenny-kravitz-1836_acting_when-i-make-music-i-play-it-i-produce-it_2690289.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbf/lenny-kravitz-1836_acting_when-i-make-music-i-play-it-i-produce-it_2690289.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbf/lenny-kravitz-1836_acting_when-i-make-music-i-play-it-i-produce-it_2690289.jpg) > “When I make music, I play it, I produce it, I write it. It's a very self-centered thing, not in a negative way. But I primarily work by myself, that's my process. When I'm acting, I'm there to serve the director and the character. I'm here to give you what you need. Communicate that to me and I will do what I need to do to get that. So that's what it's about.” [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He sees music creation as a personal, solitary act, while acting is a collaborative service to others. **In simple terms:** Music is personal; acting serves others. Key Takeaway Balance solo creation with teamwork. Themes creativity collaboration artistic process self-expression service Mood reflective introspective Type personal professional When to use this quote - studio recording - live performance - film set - creative brainstorming Key Concepts ego authenticity role adaptation Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect your artistic voice when collaborating? - When does serving others enhance your own work? A Different Perspective Collaboration may dilute personal vision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Self centered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-centered/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [If I had to choose criteria, for me, it's about first the director. I want to be a part of something that's good and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giovanni-ribisi/if-i-had-to-choose-criteria-for-me-it-s-about-first-the-director-i/) [Giovanni Ribisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giovanni-ribisi/) > [After reading the script I ask the director about my character's background, what does he do, how he walks, talks, what clothes he wears...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jisshu-sengupta/after-reading-the-script-i-ask-the-director-about-my-character-s/) [Jisshu Sengupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jisshu-sengupta/) > [I just adored Peter Medak, the director. He's such a character, but he was so much fun. Some directors come in and they truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-brannagh/i-just-adored-peter-medak-the-director-he-s-such-a-character-but-he/) [Brigid Brannagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-brannagh/) > [To me, it always comes down to character and script and then director. If a character belongs to me, it's mine. We belong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-taylor-joy/to-me-it-always-comes-down-to-character-and-script-and-then-director/) [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-taylor-joy/) > [My criteria has always been the script, director and character. But I also attach importance to the production house. After all, the banner has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koel-mallick/my-criteria-has-always-been-the-script-director-and-character-but-i/) [Koel Mallick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koel-mallick/) > [By writing her self, woman will return to the body which has been more than confiscated from her, which has been turned into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-ne-cixous/by-writing-her-self-woman-will-return-to-the-body-which-has-been-more/) [Helene Cixous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-ne-cixous/) > [I try to tell student writers to read as much as possible, not only literature but philosophy, theory, and to form obsessions. There's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-zambreno/i-try-to-tell-student-writers-to-read-as-much-as-possible-not-only/) [Kate Zambreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-zambreno/) > [I am a driven writer. I feel guilty if I don't write, not self-indulgent if I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marge-piercy/i-am-a-driven-writer-i-feel-guilty-if-i-don-t-write-not-self/) [Marge Piercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marge-piercy/) > [I like writing, but I write for self-improvement more than I do for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-steinbeck/i-like-writing-but-i-write-for-self-improvement-more-than-i-do-for/) [Thomas Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-steinbeck/) > [“better? But what would become of me if I didn’t write what I can, however inferior it may be to what I am? In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/better-but-what-would-become-of-me-if-i-didn-t-write-what-i-can/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [Woman must write her self: must write about women and bring women to writing, from which they have been driven away as violently as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-ne-cixous/woman-must-write-her-self-must-write-about-women-and-bring-women-to/) [Helene Cixous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-ne-cixous/) > [As publishing has become less expensive, the urge to write my own self has become the opportunity to publish my own self. Everyone now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-zaid/as-publishing-has-become-less-expensive-the-urge-to-write-my-own-self/) [Gabriel Zaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-zaid/) > [“Write from truth, write from self. Writing theory or conceptual writing may be A way to create new forms or styles but in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-m-engelhardt/write-from-truth-write-from-self-writing-theory-or-conceptual-writing/) [R.M. Engelhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-m-engelhardt/) > [Even if other write up don't write your self off, but only believe in yourself emptiness is no mans island so you can decide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nkemjika-linus/even-if-other-write-up-don-t-write-your-self-off-but-only-believe-in/) [Nkemjika Linus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nkemjika-linus/) > [If you think about what you do, if you become self-conscious about it, you've got to be very careful. Because I really like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/if-you-think-about-what-you-do-if-you-become-self-conscious-about-it/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) ## More by Lenny Kravitz > [Mothers love you to the end, and she didn't want to hold me back from my livelihood. So I left for a month and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/mothers-love-you-to-the-end-and-she-didn-t-want-to-hold-me-back-from/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [There's definitely an old school element to my music, but I also think it's modern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/there-s-definitely-an-old-school-element-to-my-music-but-i-also-think/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [I wouldn't play together with someone who likes to control everything like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/i-wouldn-t-play-together-with-someone-who-likes-to-control-everything/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [It was amazing to me that, all of a sudden, I was hearing my music on the radio and coming out of cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/it-was-amazing-to-me-that-all-of-a-sudden-i-was-hearing-my-music-on/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [There are so many people that don't believe in themselves and don't have faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/there-are-so-many-people-that-don-t-believe-in-themselves-and-don-t/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [When it comes to acting, it's about creating a character and bringing forth a director's vision. It's a weird feeling, because with acting, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/when-it-comes-to-acting-it-s-about-creating-a-character-and-bringing/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [It's a trip to have a Greatest Hits record. It's a trip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/it-s-a-trip-to-have-a-greatest-hits-record-it-s-a-trip/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [I knew what I wanted to do from the time I was 5.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/i-knew-what-i-wanted-to-do-from-the-time-i-was-5/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [Oasis are not just influenced by the Beatles; they actually take stuff. Then they get praised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/oasis-are-not-just-influenced-by-the-beatles-they-actually-take-stuff/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [I never sit down to write. When I'm moved, I do it. I just wait for it to come. You just hear it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/i-never-sit-down-to-write-when-i-m-moved-i-do-it-i-just-wait-for-it/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [We're beginning to play God and get into cloning. We give up quickly. Divorce is an easy option. So why not just create your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/we-re-beginning-to-play-god-and-get-into-cloning-we-give-up-quickly/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [Music definitely inspires my design all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/music-definitely-inspires-my-design-all-the-time/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [Eleutheria, the fire is burning. Eleutheria, the tables are turning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/eleutheria-the-fire-is-burning-eleutheria-the-tables-are-turning/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [People always accuse me of being motivational in a way, like it was a bad thing, but that's just how I was raised. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/people-always-accuse-me-of-being-motivational-in-a-way-like-it-was-a/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [I used to do plays and some television commercials when I was younger. I guess my mom's being an actress got me interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/i-used-to-do-plays-and-some-television-commercials-when-i-was-younger/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) [Explore all 204 Lenny Kravitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. 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