--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Alligator' was the first record that…" description: "\"'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid attention to, and it seemed like it was the screamy songs that got us that attention.\" — Matt Berninger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png" --- # 'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid… ![“'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid attention to, and it seemed like it was the screamy songs that got us that attention.” quote by Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png) > “'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid attention to, and it seemed like it was the screamy songs that got us that attention.” [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The first hit, “Alligator,” captured attention with its intense, screamy style, marking a breakthrough for the band **In simple terms:** A loud, raw song got the band noticed first Key Takeaway Embrace bold, distinctive sounds early on Themes breakthrough attention music industry Mood energetic defiant Type inspirational musical When to use this quote - new album launch - marketing strategy - artist branding Key Concepts authenticity impact first impression Questions to Reflect On - What makes a song stand out? - How to balance rawness with accessibility? A Different Perspective Boldness may alienate some listeners ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs/) ## Related quotes > [I just want to recognize, the HIV epidemic was solved by the community, the HIV advocates and activists who stood up when no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-birx/i-just-want-to-recognize-the-hiv-epidemic-was-solved-by-the-community/) [Deborah Birx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-birx/) > [I came at a time where male artists where dominating, so I had to do something quick to get people's attention. I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-saw/i-came-at-a-time-where-male-artists-where-dominating-so-i-had-to-do/) [Lady Saw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-saw/) > [People have got no attention span these days with music - I come from the time where I bought the whole album and listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rag-n-bone-man/people-have-got-no-attention-span-these-days-with-music-i-come-from/) [Rag'n'Bone Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rag-n-bone-man/) > [You got ATTENTION but you lost RESPECT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/you-got-attention-but-you-lost-respect/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I don't know your name but excuse me miss, I saw you from across the room. And I got to admit that you got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/i-don-t-know-your-name-but-excuse-me-miss-i-saw-you-from-across-the/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [At least I can say no player got as much attention from the Dream Team as I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-kukoc/at-least-i-can-say-no-player-got-as-much-attention-from-the-dream/) [Toni Kukoc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-kukoc/) > [I was sick of people making fun of my hair and so I cut it off and I've got much more attention than ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emo-philips/i-was-sick-of-people-making-fun-of-my-hair-and-so-i-cut-it-off-and-i/) [Emo Philips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emo-philips/) > [We got everyone's attention, but we didn't solve any environmental problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/we-got-everyone-s-attention-but-we-didn-t-solve-any-environmental/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [I got attention by being funny at school, pretending to be retarded, and jumping around with a deformed hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/i-got-attention-by-being-funny-at-school-pretending-to-be-retarded/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [If people don't feel they've got your attention, you're not going to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-elliot/if-people-don-t-feel-they-ve-got-your-attention-you-re-not-going-to/) [Ben Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-elliot/) > [I never really got any attention until I was on MTV. I became a household name because I was on every day from 3-4pm.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rex/i-never-really-got-any-attention-until-i-was-on-mtv-i-became-a/) [Simon Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rex/) > [I've got the attention span of a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-ve-got-the-attention-span-of-a-child/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I have gotten a lot more attention than...other women that I find incredibly beautiful. And this has happened to me ever since I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salma-hayek/i-have-gotten-a-lot-more-attention-than-other-women-that-i-find/) [Salma Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salma-hayek/) > [I came from a big family, with not enough attention. It's classic. I wasn't the baby, but was second to last. It's absolutely the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-f-tompkins/i-came-from-a-big-family-with-not-enough-attention-it-s-classic-i/) [Paul F. Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-f-tompkins/) > [I really wanted attention. I really liked attention. But now that I got all the attention I find myself just, like, chilling by myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nav/i-really-wanted-attention-i-really-liked-attention-but-now-that-i-got/) [Nav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nav/) ## More by Matt Berninger > [When you realize that the baby's healthy and born, it's a release and you're so happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/when-you-realize-that-the-baby-s-healthy-and-born-it-s-a-release-and/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [The last thing you want to do is write songs about being in a band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/the-last-thing-you-want-to-do-is-write-songs-about-being-in-a-band/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave know best. Although I wear a lot of jeans, I've been told that Nick Cave doesn't own a pair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/leonard-cohen-and-nick-cave-know-best-although-i-wear-a-lot-of-jeans/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [I have pit bulls barking at me on half of the love songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/i-have-pit-bulls-barking-at-me-on-half-of-the-love-songs/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [ Weirdly, I was still trying to be the older brother, and trying to get him \[Tom Berninger\] to try to be more like me… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/weirdly-i-was-still-trying-to-be-the-older-brother-and-trying-to-get/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [It takes us a long time to write a song that we all really like, so it makes sense that it would take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/it-takes-us-a-long-time-to-write-a-song-that-we-all-really-like-so-it/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [When it comes to lyrics, I just write down a lot of things, and only a very tiny fraction of it, I think, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/when-it-comes-to-lyrics-i-just-write-down-a-lot-of-things-and-only-a/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [A song is a song and, if I am emotionally connected to do it, whether it is sad or not sad, I am going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/a-song-is-a-song-and-if-i-am-emotionally-connected-to-do-it-whether/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [I'm doing a little freelance work, and I think everybody's trying to take their minds off rock and roll for a little while and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/i-m-doing-a-little-freelance-work-and-i-think-everybody-s-trying-to/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [I'm a stubborn guy that loses his temper, sometimes driving the station wagon in the wrong direction for hours and hours and never admitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/i-m-a-stubborn-guy-that-loses-his-temper-sometimes-driving-the/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [I love to make songs out of some of those shadows - you know, some of the things you lie awake thinking about, social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/i-love-to-make-songs-out-of-some-of-those-shadows-you-know-some-of/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [A lot of my lyrics are approximate meaning without me knowing why they sound right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/a-lot-of-my-lyrics-are-approximate-meaning-without-me-knowing-why/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [Sometimes you have to wear what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/sometimes-you-have-to-wear-what-you-want/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [The same song can have drastically different feels and personalities just by changing some minor things. A different drumbeat or some vocal overdub could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/the-same-song-can-have-drastically-different-feels-and-personalities/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [I focus on the words and then I have fun putting together the music after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/i-focus-on-the-words-and-then-i-have-fun-putting-together-the-music/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) [Explore all 65 Matt Berninger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) ## More Alligator quotes > [See you later, alligator. After a while, crocodile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-haley/see-you-later-alligator-after-a-while-crocodile/) [Bill Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-haley/) > [Don't insult the alligator until you've crossed the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/don-t-insult-the-alligator-until-you-ve-crossed-the-river/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Keeping a woman to her word is like trying to hold an alligator by its tail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/keeping-a-woman-to-her-word-is-like-trying-to-hold-an-alligator-by/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordell-hull/never-insult-an-alligator-until-after-you-have-crossed-the-river/) [Cordell Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordell-hull/) > [“THE ALLIGATOR IS AN ANACHRONISM THAT CAN EAT YOU!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-russell/the-alligator-is-an-anachronism-that-can-eat-you/) [Karen Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-russell/) > [I'd like to wrestle an alligator and fly a fighter jet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-ballard/i-d-like-to-wrestle-an-alligator-and-fly-a-fighter-jet/) [Frankie Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-ballard/) > [“Where was I when the rockets came to life And carried you away into the alligator sky Even though, I'll never know what's up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owl-city/where-was-i-when-the-rockets-came-to-life-and-carried-you-away-into/) [Owl City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owl-city/) > [Don't taunt the alligator until after you've crossed the creek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/don-t-taunt-the-alligator-until-after-you-ve-crossed-the-creek/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [“He asked me if the alligator was a national symbol of the United States, because you saw them everywhere on people's shirts, just above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/he-asked-me-if-the-alligator-was-a-national-symbol-of-the-united/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [An Alligator Loki is something that we all found hysterically funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-herron/an-alligator-loki-is-something-that-we-all-found-hysterically-funny/) [Kate Herron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-herron/) > [Alligator: The crocodile of America, superior in every detail to the crocodile of the effete monarchies of the Old World.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/alligator-the-crocodile-of-america-superior-in-every-detail-to-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Remember that postcard Grandpa sent us from Florida of that Alligator biting that woman's bottom? That's right, we all thought it was hilarious. But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/remember-that-postcard-grandpa-sent-us-from-florida-of-that-alligator/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“anyone else would have just killed the alligator”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/anyone-else-would-have-just-killed-the-alligator/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [Once when I was golfing in Georgia, I hooked the ball into the swamp. I went in after it and found an alligator wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-hackett/once-when-i-was-golfing-in-georgia-i-hooked-the-ball-into-the-swamp-i/) [Buddy Hackett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-hackett/) > [If I could rest anywhere, it would be in Arkansas, where the men are of the real half-horse, half-alligator breed such as grows nowhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davy-crockett/if-i-could-rest-anywhere-it-would-be-in-arkansas-where-the-men-are-of/) [Davy Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davy-crockett/) Browse all 49 Alligator quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid attention to, and it seemed like it was the screamy songs that got us that attention.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matt Berninger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyone-paid-attention-to-and-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alligator" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyone-paid-attention-to-and-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ea/matt-berninger-10530_alligator_alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyo_820310.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“'Alligator' was the first record that anyone paid attention to, and it seemed like it was the screamy songs…” — Matt Berninger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Matt Berninger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "'Alligator' was the first record that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyone-paid-attention-to-and-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/alligator-was-the-first-record-that-anyone-paid-attention-to-and-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```