--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always said punk was an attitude. It…" description: "\"I always said punk was an attitude. It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the crea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c82/malcolm-mclaren-19423_about_i-always-said-punk-was-an-attitude-it-wa_2673705.jpg" --- # I always said punk was an attitude. It was never about… ![“I always said punk was an attitude. It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the creative potential within that.” quote by Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c82/malcolm-mclaren-19423_about_i-always-said-punk-was-an-attitude-it-wa_2673705.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c82/malcolm-mclaren-19423_about_i-always-said-punk-was-an-attitude-it-wa_2673705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c82/malcolm-mclaren-19423_about_i-always-said-punk-was-an-attitude-it-wa_2673705.jpg) > “I always said punk was an attitude. It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the creative potential within that.” [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Punk is defined by its rebellious spirit and creative destruction, not superficial fashion. **In simple terms:** Punk is an attitude of rebellion and creativity. Key Takeaway Value attitude over appearance. Themes culture rebellion creativity Mood critical inspirational Type philosophical cultural When to use this quote - fashion design - music festivals - youth activism Key Concepts subculture identity expression Questions to Reflect On - What defines a movement more: look or belief? - How can we keep punk's spirit alive? A Different Perspective Superficial symbols can dilute the core message. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Attitude Having](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude-having-1528785/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Haircut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/haircut/) [Having](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Potential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/potential/) [Punk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punk/) [Punk Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punk-attitude-466793/) [Ripped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripped/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Said Punk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-punk-1265229/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [T shirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/t-shirt/) [Wearing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wearing/) [Within](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/within/) ## Related quotes > [I train with a serious attitude, and when I am having time off, I hope to be respected as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-tevez/i-train-with-a-serious-attitude-and-when-i-am-having-time-off-i-hope/) [Carlos Tevez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-tevez/) > [It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the creative potential within that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/it-was-never-about-having-a-mohican-haircut-or-wearing-a-ripped-t/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [They wouldn't play my records on American radio because I had spiky hair. They said, 'Punk rock doesn't sell advertising, it won't make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-idol/they-wouldn-t-play-my-records-on-american-radio-because-i-had-spiky/) [Billy Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-idol/) > [I've always said that punk is a time and money thing. You can only be punk if you're poor and you're young. It's for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/i-ve-always-said-that-punk-is-a-time-and-money-thing-you-can-only-be/) [Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/) > [A man once asked me, what's punk? I kicked over a trash can and said that's punk. He kicked over a trash can and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-joe-armstrong/a-man-once-asked-me-what-s-punk-i-kicked-over-a-trash-can-and-said/) [Billie Joe Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-joe-armstrong/) > [“Punk is an attitude. Hardcore is a lifestyle. the first seeks to subvert society. The second aims to live outside of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everett-true/punk-is-an-attitude-hardcore-is-a-lifestyle-the-first-seeks-to/) [Everett True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everett-true/) > [I've made sacrifices. I'm not anti-fashion but I've always had a bit of a punk attitude. That's important, I think. I do my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-ve-made-sacrifices-i-m-not-anti-fashion-but-i-ve-always-had-a-bit/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I enjoy punk, the attitude as well as the music, but I don't feel like I have to be a carbon copy of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayley-williams/i-enjoy-punk-the-attitude-as-well-as-the-music-but-i-don-t-feel-like/) [Hayley Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayley-williams/) > [Part of the punk attitude was that you should project your music through your whole body... show your personality as much as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-idol/part-of-the-punk-attitude-was-that-you-should-project-your-music/) [Billy Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-idol/) > [All punk is is attitude. That's what makes it. The attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-ramone/all-punk-is-is-attitude-that-s-what-makes-it-the-attitude/) [Joey Ramone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-ramone/) > [Punk is an attitude, not a genre, age group, or time period. What's interesting is trying to define the blues and punk in different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-white/punk-is-an-attitude-not-a-genre-age-group-or-time-period-what-s/) [Jack White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-white/) > [I'm not anti-fashion, but I've always had a bit of a punk attitude. That's important, I think. I do my own thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-m-not-anti-fashion-but-i-ve-always-had-a-bit-of-a-punk-attitude/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I even like when girls wear printed Minnie Mouse T-shirts with a cool ball gown skirt, or a ripped up pair of jeans -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-siriano/i-even-like-when-girls-wear-printed-minnie-mouse-t-shirts-with-a-cool/) [Christian Siriano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-siriano/) > [Someone needs to make an app that alerts you every time your wife/girlfriend gets a haircut, so we don't forget to notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/someone-needs-to-make-an-app-that-alerts-you-every-time-your-wife/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've tried to have a regular haircut, but it just pops back up again, so this is the way it's going to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/i-ve-tried-to-have-a-regular-haircut-but-it-just-pops-back-up-again/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) ## More by Malcolm Mclaren > [Don't kill the golden goose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/don-t-kill-the-golden-goose/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [Stealing things is a glorious occupation, particularly in the art world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/stealing-things-is-a-glorious-occupation-particularly-in-the-art-world/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [I always feel more comfortable in chaotic surroundings. I don't know why that is. I think order is dull. There is something about this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/i-always-feel-more-comfortable-in-chaotic-surroundings-i-don-t-know/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [I left school at 16 and my mother got me a job as a trainee wine taster. But one day I followed some girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/i-left-school-at-16-and-my-mother-got-me-a-job-as-a-trainee-wine/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the creative potential within that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/it-was-never-about-having-a-mohican-haircut-or-wearing-a-ripped-t/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [Art school had taught me it was far better to be a flamboyant failure than any kind of benign success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/art-school-had-taught-me-it-was-far-better-to-be-a-flamboyant-failure/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [Be childish. Be irresponsible. Be disrespectful. Be everything this society hates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/be-childish-be-irresponsible-be-disrespectful-be-everything-this/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [The thing about Paris, it's a great city for wandering around and buying shoes and nursing a cafe au lait for hours on end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/the-thing-about-paris-it-s-a-great-city-for-wandering-around-and/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [I've always thought that gaming and YouTube and the web is a very post-punk extravaganza.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/i-ve-always-thought-that-gaming-and-youtube-and-the-web-is-a-very/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [I never intended for the Sex Pistols to be immeasurably successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/i-never-intended-for-the-sex-pistols-to-be-immeasurably-successful/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [There are two rules I've always tried to live by: turn left, if you're supposed to turn right; go through any door that you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/there-are-two-rules-i-ve-always-tried-to-live-by-turn-left-if-you-re/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [Rock and roll doesn't necessarily mean a band. It doesn't mean a singer, and it doesn't mean a lyric, really. It's that question of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/rock-and-roll-doesn-t-necessarily-mean-a-band-it-doesn-t-mean-a/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [The popularity of punk rock was, in effect, due to the fact that it made ugliness beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/the-popularity-of-punk-rock-was-in-effect-due-to-the-fact-that-it/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [“Fashion is never wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/fashion-is-never-wrong/) [Malcolm McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) > [What are the politics of boredom?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/what-are-the-politics-of-boredom/) [Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) [Explore all 32 Malcolm Mclaren quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. 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If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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