--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I expect if you're a professional public…" description: "\"I expect if you're a professional public speaker, you probably wouldn't want to go onstage and sing and play drums.\" — Neil Peart" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png" --- # I expect if you're a professional public speaker, you… ![“I expect if you're a professional public speaker, you probably wouldn't want to go onstage and sing and play drums.” quote by Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png) > “I expect if you're a professional public speaker, you probably wouldn't want to go onstage and sing and play drums.” [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Professional speakers are expected to excel at verbal communication, not musical performance, highlighting role specialization. **In simple terms:** Speakers should stick to speaking, not singing. Key Takeaway Respect your expertise and stay within your role. Themes professionalism expertise expectations Mood thoughtful analytical Type observational practical When to use this quote - public speaking - career counseling - skill development Key Concepts role theory performance anxiety Questions to Reflect On - Do you think versatility enhances credibility? - When is it appropriate to break role norms? A Different Perspective Audiences may appreciate multi‑talented performers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [A career public speaker is not what I'm called to be. I'm called to be a critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-campolo/a-career-public-speaker-is-not-what-i-m-called-to-be-i-m-called-to-be/) [Tony Campolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-campolo/) > [I happen to believe, and I think many others do, Donald Trump is probably the great public speaker in those large arenas since William…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-k-bannon/i-happen-to-believe-and-i-think-many-others-do-donald-trump-is/) [Stephen K. Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-k-bannon/) > [I am not a public speaker and never will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heath-ledger/i-am-not-a-public-speaker-and-never-will-be/) [Heath Ledger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heath-ledger/) > [Invitations to speak upon public occasions are among my most grievous embarrassments. Why is it inferred that one is or can be a public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corra-may-harris/invitations-to-speak-upon-public-occasions-are-among-my-most-grievous/) [Corra May Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corra-may-harris/) > [I never wanted to be a public speaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/i-never-wanted-to-be-a-public-speaker/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Just recognize that you are not going to become a comfortable public speaker overnight. It can take a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/just-recognize-that-you-are-not-going-to-become-a-comfortable-public/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [Fill your mouth with marbles and make a speech. Every day reduce the number of marbles in your mouth and make a speech. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooks-hays/fill-your-mouth-with-marbles-and-make-a-speech-every-day-reduce-the/) Brooks Hays > [I've seen people that get onstage and sing while they have tears running down their face - I can't do that. When I cry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-underwood/i-ve-seen-people-that-get-onstage-and-sing-while-they-have-tears/) [Carrie Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-underwood/) > [I am always interested in making myself as uncomfortable as I can. Sometimes I ask myself, 'Can I stand onstage and sing this song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-stapleton/i-am-always-interested-in-making-myself-as-uncomfortable-as-i-can/) [Chris Stapleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-stapleton/) > [I saw a concert with Nena singing '99 Red Balloons' on TV and I said, 'I will also go onstage and sing.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/i-saw-a-concert-with-nena-singing-99-red-balloons-on-tv-and-i-said-i/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) > [I miss the days when girls would wear full long dresses and just stand onstage and sing. That's what I'm trying to bring back:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-smith/i-miss-the-days-when-girls-would-wear-full-long-dresses-and-just/) [Sam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-smith/) > [I love theatrics and have a huge imagination: Why would I want to sit onstage and sing a bunch of ballads back-to-back?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-aguilera/i-love-theatrics-and-have-a-huge-imagination-why-would-i-want-to-sit/) [Christina Aguilera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-aguilera/) > [I want to be able to deliver the kind of show that I want - to go onstage with my chin held up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-williams-iii/i-want-to-be-able-to-deliver-the-kind-of-show-that-i-want-to-go/) [Hank Williams III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-williams-iii/) > [In rock 'n' roll it's really about being as vulnerable as possible and giving them what they want. But onstage it's about pausing, about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-love/in-rock-n-roll-it-s-really-about-being-as-vulnerable-as-possible-and/) [Courtney Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-love/) > [I like that because the fans want to see onstage what they know so well from the big screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-avalon/i-like-that-because-the-fans-want-to-see-onstage-what-they-know-so/) [Frankie Avalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-avalon/) ## More by Neil Peart > [I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don't want people to have to suffer. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-believe-in-taxation-and-health-care-that-is-outside-the-usual/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Half the world cries Half the world laughs Half the world tries To be the other half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/half-the-world-cries-half-the-world-laughs-half-the-world-tries-to-be/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Different hearts beat on different strings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/different-hearts-beat-on-different-strings/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [It's interesting. I've known quite a few good athletes that can't begin to play a beat on the drum set. Most team sport is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/it-s-interesting-i-ve-known-quite-a-few-good-athletes-that-can-t/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [From the point of ignition. To the final drive. The point of the journey is not to arrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/from-the-point-of-ignition-to-the-final-drive-the-point-of-the/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Innocence gave me confidence to go up against reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/innocence-gave-me-confidence-to-go-up-against-reality/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to play music that I liked, and even when I was in cover bands when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-always-wanted-to-play-music-that-i-liked-and/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [To me, drum soloing is like doing a marathon and solving equations at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/to-me-drum-soloing-is-like-doing-a-marathon-and-solving-equations-at/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Lotus-land as it appears in 'Free Will' is simply a metaphor for an idealized background, a 'land of milk and honey.' It is sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/lotus-land-as-it-appears-in-free-will-is-simply-a-metaphor-for-an/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [“-i was "far and away"-riding my motorcycle along an american back road, skiing through the snowy Quebec woods, or lying awake in a backwater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-was-far-and-away-riding-my-motorcycle-along-an-american-back-road/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Each of us A cell of awareness Imperfect and incomplete Genetic blends With uncertain ends On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/each-of-us-a-cell-of-awareness-imperfect-and-incomplete-genetic/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [When I was young, my ambitions were very modest. I thought, "If only I could play at the battle of the bands at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/when-i-was-young-my-ambitions-were-very-modest-i-thought-if-only-i/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [If it's cross-country ski season, I'll be out doing that, or snowshoeing up in Quebec. In my California home, I go to the local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/if-it-s-cross-country-ski-season-i-ll-be-out-doing-that-or/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Extroverts never understand introverts, and it was like that in school days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/extroverts-never-understand-introverts-and-it-was-like-that-in-school/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/a-spirit-with-a-vision-is-a-dream-with-a-mission/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) [Explore all 126 Neil Peart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) ## More Play quotes > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [You play a part, and as soon as a movie is over and the camera stops, you go home and you're not really responsible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nastassja-kinski/you-play-a-part-and-as-soon-as-a-movie-is-over-and-the-camera-stops/) [Nastassja Kinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nastassja-kinski/) > [I think all children love to dress up and play make believe. It's just that I never stopped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-bonnar/i-think-all-children-love-to-dress-up-and-play-make-believe-it-s-just/) [Mark Bonnar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-bonnar/) > [It would be awesome to play in my backyard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-barty/it-would-be-awesome-to-play-in-my-backyard/) [Ashleigh Barty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-barty/) > [I really enjoy going to play for the national team and be with the guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedi-osman/i-really-enjoy-going-to-play-for-the-national-team-and-be-with-the/) [Cedi Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedi-osman/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [It's a shame that when you've actually lived some life and have something to write about, they're saying you're too old to come out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kt-tunstall/it-s-a-shame-that-when-you-ve-actually-lived-some-life-and-have/) [KT Tunstall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kt-tunstall/) > [I can play on grass - when I won Junior Wimbledon, that was an unbelievable feeling, I could not believe that I had won…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/i-can-play-on-grass-when-i-won-junior-wimbledon-that-was-an/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) [Browse all 36,264 Play quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I expect if you're a professional public speaker, you probably wouldn't want to go onstage and sing and play drums.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Peart" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public-speaker-you-probably-wouldn/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Play" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public-speaker-you-probably-wouldn/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/neil-peart-3563_play_i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public_1498209.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I expect if you're a professional public speaker, you probably wouldn't want to go onstage and sing and play…” — Neil Peart", "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": "Neil Peart", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I expect if you're a professional...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public-speaker-you-probably-wouldn/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-expect-if-you-re-a-professional-public-speaker-you-probably-wouldn/#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 } } ] } ```