--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even…" description: "\"A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even like doing this anymore?' That whole thing of 'I'm in my 30s, and I sing and write songs while people are fighti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83c/maxwell-26623_about_a-part-of-me-was-like-man-do-i-even-like_2415705.jpg" --- # A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even like doing this… ![“A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even like doing this anymore?' That whole thing of 'I'm in my 30s, and I sing and write songs while people are fighting wars in Iraq.' You know? So everything had to have more meaning, and it couldn't just be about making money. So, I took a minute.” quote by Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83c/maxwell-26623_about_a-part-of-me-was-like-man-do-i-even-like_2415705.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83c/maxwell-26623_about_a-part-of-me-was-like-man-do-i-even-like_2415705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83c/maxwell-26623_about_a-part-of-me-was-like-man-do-i-even-like_2415705.jpg) > “A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even like doing this anymore?' That whole thing of 'I'm in my 30s, and I sing and write songs while people are fighting wars in Iraq.' You know? So everything had to have more meaning, and it couldn't just be about making money. So, I took a minute.” [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker questions purpose in creative work versus profit, seeking deeper meaning amid global conflict. **In simple terms:** Questioning purpose beyond money. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaningful work. Themes purpose artistic integrity conflict Mood introspective thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - songwriting - career change - social activism Key Concepts existentialism career fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What gives your work meaning? - How can you align profit with purpose? A Different Perspective Balancing art and livelihood is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [30S Sing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/30s-sing-3911249/) [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Anymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anymore/) [Anymore Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anymore-thing-4994199/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Doing Anymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-anymore-3581019/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Just be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-be/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Minute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minute/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Part](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/part/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sing/) [Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took/) [Took Minute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took-minute-669313/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wars/) [While](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/while/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-songs/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [I was, like, in my mid-30s when I found out I could sing. I was doing karaoke and we were doing Bob Seger, 'Old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jelly-roll/i-was-like-in-my-mid-30s-when-i-found-out-i-could-sing-i-was-doing/) [Jelly Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jelly-roll/) > [When a picture is done, I'm not concerned with it anymore; I'm on to the next thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-hewlett/when-a-picture-is-done-i-m-not-concerned-with-it-anymore-i-m-on-to/) [Jamie Hewlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-hewlett/) > [I haven't made up my mind about doing anymore Landover books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/i-haven-t-made-up-my-mind-about-doing-anymore-landover-books/) [Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/) > [There was nothing to talk about anymore. The only thing to do was go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/there-was-nothing-to-talk-about-anymore-the-only-thing-to-do-was-go/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [When it sort of finally sets in that you're not going to be doing that anymore... it's disappointing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-arnett/when-it-sort-of-finally-sets-in-that-you-re-not-going-to-be-doing/) [Will Arnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-arnett/) > [“I think I know who you are," he finally said. "It took me a minute, since you're better looking than I thought you'd be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rowen/i-think-i-know-who-you-are-he-finally-said-it-took-me-a-minute-since/) [Michelle Rowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rowen/) > [“Oh well, it’s over for you. Call the code at 2:03 p.m.” My eyes widened in shock. “That’s what they say when someone dies.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-jaffe/oh-well-it-s-over-for-you-call-the-code-at-2-03-p-m-my-eyes-widened/) [Michele Jaffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-jaffe/) > [I was about one drink away from my limit, In came a black dress with a black body in it, She looked so timid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aceyalone/i-was-about-one-drink-away-from-my-limit-in-came-a-black-dress-with-a/) [Aceyalone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aceyalone/) > [If I'd won every single race and got pole everywhere, that would just be boring. It would suck. Where's the fun in that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/if-i-d-won-every-single-race-and-got-pole-everywhere-that-would-just/) [Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/) > [When you come to America, it's a very serious thing. It's not like you arrive and they say, 'Hey, come on! Do movies!' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-q/when-you-come-to-america-it-s-a-very-serious-thing-it-s-not-like-you/) [Maggie Q](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-q/) > [I do understand that America is a predominantly Christian country. A lot of morals and values are based in Christianity as opposed to Buddhism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/i-do-understand-that-america-is-a-predominantly-christian-country-a/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) > [As an actor, you just want to continue to work on things that you like. You can be in this business a long time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/as-an-actor-you-just-want-to-continue-to-work-on-things-that-you-like/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [I never wanted to just be on Broadway, I wanted to be Simba.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-mclaughlin/i-never-wanted-to-just-be-on-broadway-i-wanted-to-be-simba/) [Caleb McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-mclaughlin/) > [People are obviously going to mention what I look like, but it's a shame it has to be a key part. I can't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-hart/people-are-obviously-going-to-mention-what-i-look-like-but-it-s-a/) [Miranda Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-hart/) > [I think a person has to just be herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-nixon/i-think-a-person-has-to-just-be-herself/) [Pat Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-nixon/) ## More by Maxwell > [I remember where I'm from. It's like, 'Dude, you used to work at Pizza Hut.' I still have the hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-remember-where-i-m-from-it-s-like-dude-you-used-to-work-at-pizza/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [People failed to realize that when you're living such a hyper, super reality of a life, where you're just doing shows and you're on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/people-failed-to-realize-that-when-you-re-living-such-a-hyper-super/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a black person to be automatically soulful. I respect Justin Bieber and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/soul-is-a-colourless-thing-i-don-t-think-you-have-to-be-a-black/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I know a lot of people weren't expecting 'BLACKSummers'Night' to be what it was, just like a lot of people weren't expecting 'Embrya' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-know-a-lot-of-people-weren-t-expecting-blacksummers-night-to-be/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [You can always write a song about people who are in love, but they're in love, so they're happy; they don't need you. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/you-can-always-write-a-song-about-people-who-are-in-love-but-they-re/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [A lot of people thought my career was over. If you're not releasing records, then something must be wrong. Either the record company doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/a-lot-of-people-thought-my-career-was-over-if-you-re-not-releasing/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I love my last-minute lifestyle because I just sort of don't have plans, and things kind of happen. Plans make me annoyed a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-love-my-last-minute-lifestyle-because-i-just-sort-of-don-t-have/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I just turned 40, and I look at so many performers and so many people who are actually always on time and always have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-just-turned-40-and-i-look-at-so-many-performers-and-so-many-people/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I'm really maturing into soul music. It's not my attempt or karaoke try. I feel like I really embody the music now that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-m-really-maturing-into-soul-music-it-s-not-my-attempt-or-karaoke/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Most of the people you see me working for me are actually with me. And I'm proud to say that I've known them for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/most-of-the-people-you-see-me-working-for-me-are-actually-with-me-and/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [In your 20s, you're just a sketch of what you think you're trying to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/in-your-20s-you-re-just-a-sketch-of-what-you-think-you-re-trying-to-be/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Soul music is soul music. It can be wrapped up in a neo soul package; it can be called hip-hop soul. But soul is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/soul-music-is-soul-music-it-can-be-wrapped-up-in-a-neo-soul-package/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I'm confident in my intentions and why I'm making music. I'm not making music because I want to be on your TV screen or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-m-confident-in-my-intentions-and-why-i-m-making-music-i-m-not/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I'm pretty sensitive. My feelings get hurt a lot easier than people think, but I try take it all with grain of salt. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-m-pretty-sensitive-my-feelings-get-hurt-a-lot-easier-than-people/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Songs are not on a conveyor belt. I'm not chopping them up and putting them out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/songs-are-not-on-a-conveyor-belt-i-m-not-chopping-them-up-and-putting/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) [Explore all 21 Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. 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?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) [Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even like doing this anymore?' That whole thing of 'I'm in my 30s, and I sing and write songs while people are fighting wars in Iraq.' You know? So everything had to have more meaning, and it couldn't just be about making money. 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