--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were always in the shadows of the…" description: "\"We were always in the shadows of the stuff that was getting more attention. So people learned to listen to us slowly over time. And, frankly, we learne..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/matt-berninger-10530_attention_we-were-always-in-the-shadows-of-the-stu_1802044.png" --- # We were always in the shadows of the stuff that was… ![“We were always in the shadows of the stuff that was getting more attention. So people learned to listen to us slowly over time. And, frankly, we learned how to listen to ourselves. It takes us a long time to write a song that we all really like, so it makes sense that it would take a while for the…” quote by Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/matt-berninger-10530_attention_we-were-always-in-the-shadows-of-the-stu_1802044.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/matt-berninger-10530_attention_we-were-always-in-the-shadows-of-the-stu_1802044.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/884/matt-berninger-10530_attention_we-were-always-in-the-shadows-of-the-stu_1802044.png) > “We were always in the shadows of the stuff that was getting more attention. So people learned to listen to us slowly over time. And, frankly, we learned how to listen to ourselves. It takes us a long time to write a song that we all really like, so it makes sense that it would take a while for the listener to get there, too.” [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. Describes a gradual rise from obscurity, learning to trust their own artistic voice and allowing listeners time to connect. **In simple terms:** Patience and self‑trust grow a band's audience. Key Takeaway Be patient, trust your sound. Themes art music growth Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational analytical When to use this quote - album creation - songwriting process - fan development - marketing strategy Key Concepts authenticity listener engagement Questions to Reflect On - How can artists maintain momentum during slow growth? - What signals indicate it’s time to release new material? A Different Perspective Risk of losing relevance while waiting for audience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Getting Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-attention/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Drummers - sometimes they play and they listen. And that little listen takes a speck away from the right tempo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/drummers-sometimes-they-play-and-they-listen-and-that-little-listen/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [Gentlemen, listen to me slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/gentlemen-listen-to-me-slowly/) [Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/) > [“Some people say that I talk too fast, but I think it's just that they listen too slowly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kermode/some-people-say-that-i-talk-too-fast-but-i-think-it-s-just-that-they/) [Mark Kermode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kermode/) > [“Do you know why you walk slowly when you’re old?” “No.” “Because with age you receive the gift of friction. The less time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/do-you-know-why-you-walk-slowly-when-you-re-old-no-because-with-age/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“Hope erodes slowly, over time, until you wake up one night at three o'clock in the morning and realize: I am not meant for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-zigman/hope-erodes-slowly-over-time-until-you-wake-up-one-night-at-three-o/) Laura Zigman > [“The train goes slowly. From time to time it stops, so that the dead can be taken off. It stops a lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-train-goes-slowly-from-time-to-time-it-stops-so-that-the-dead-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I think it's possible to learn. The problem is that we learn so damned slowly, so that by the time you've realized something, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesb/i-think-it-s-possible-to-learn-the-problem-is-that-we-learn-so-damned/) [Jo Nesbø](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesb/) > [“It's amazing how time can move both quickly and slowly at the same time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-parish/it-s-amazing-how-time-can-move-both-quickly-and-slowly-at-the-same/) Martin Parish > [There is time only to work slowly There is no time not to love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/there-is-time-only-to-work-slowly-there-is-no-time-not-to-love/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Great ideas travel slowly, and for a time noiselessly, as the gods whose feet were shod with wool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/great-ideas-travel-slowly-and-for-a-time-noiselessly-as-the-gods/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [“There are those who try to set Fire to the world We are in danger There is only time to move slowly There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-metzger/there-are-those-who-try-to-set-fire-to-the-world-we-are-in-danger/) [Deena Metzger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-metzger/) > [Time is important to me now, I tell myself.Not that it should pass quickly or slowly, but only be time, be something I live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-petterson/time-is-important-to-me-now-i-tell-myself-not-that-it-should-pass/) [Per Petterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-petterson/) > [“Funny how quickly the mind moves, but how slowly time does when you’re in pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/funny-how-quickly-the-mind-moves-but-how-slowly-time-does-when-you-re/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [I learned to listen as a good guy, how to fight back without throwing away the heat, and how to fight back while I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-steamboat/i-learned-to-listen-as-a-good-guy-how-to-fight-back-without-throwing/) [Ricky Steamboat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-steamboat/) > [I've learned to listen to what's going on with my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/i-ve-learned-to-listen-to-what-s-going-on-with-my-body/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) ## 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 Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We were always in the shadows of the stuff that was getting more attention. 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