--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and…" description: "\"Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and it's either clever or it's not clever.\" — Nikki Sixx" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png" --- # Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and it's either… ![“Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and it's either clever or it's not clever.” quote by Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png) > “Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and it's either clever or it's not clever.” [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rock music is portrayed as raw and morally ambiguous, judged by its perceived cleverness. **In simple terms:** Rock is seen as dirty and either clever or not. Key Takeaway Accept music’s edge, but judge its artistry. Themes music culture authenticity Mood defiant critical reflective Type commentary observational When to use this quote - concerts - music criticism - personal taste - cultural debate Key Concepts artistic expression moral judgement Questions to Reflect On - What makes music "clever" to you? - Do you judge art by its content or its impact? A Different Perspective Cleverness is subjective; not all listeners value the same traits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clever/) [Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock/) [Rock n roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-n-roll/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [How can you have a rock n' roll circus without a midget?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/how-can-you-have-a-rock-n-roll-circus-without-a-midget/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [“Not just work, kill, or maim you, but dirty you. Dirty you so bad you couldn’t like yourself anymore. Dirty you so bad you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/not-just-work-kill-or-maim-you-but-dirty-you-dirty-you-so-bad-you/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [We thought that's the way you were supposed to be if you were in a rock 'n' roll band. Flamboyant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-johansen/we-thought-that-s-the-way-you-were-supposed-to-be-if-you-were-in-a/) [David Johansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-johansen/) > [Rock n' roll really belongs to all America. It really doesn't belong to one city.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmet-ertegun/rock-n-roll-really-belongs-to-all-america-it-really-doesn-t-belong-to/) [Ahmet Ertegun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmet-ertegun/) > [I think rock 'n' roll would become exponentially, considerably more difficult to perform past about 65.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-clayton/i-think-rock-n-roll-would-become-exponentially-considerably-more/) [Adam Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-clayton/) > [I think we as a band, as individuals, understand that all popular music stems from blues and jazz and even pop, but rock 'n'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-johansen/i-think-we-as-a-band-as-individuals-understand-that-all-popular-music/) [David Johansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-johansen/) > [The Beatles changed music forever. They took rock n' roll from a medium that was about cars and girls and gave it context, interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-spitz/the-beatles-changed-music-forever-they-took-rock-n-roll-from-a-medium/) [Bob Spitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-spitz/) > [If I had my way, I would have sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll at least 4-6 hours a day. So long as there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perry-farrell/if-i-had-my-way-i-would-have-sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll-at-least-4-6/) [Perry Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perry-farrell/) > [When you're talking about rock n' roll, myth-making is what it's all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/when-you-re-talking-about-rock-n-roll-myth-making-is-what-it-s-all/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [My feelings are, if you're gonna lead a rock n' roll lifestyle, don't let it affect your work. I know I can stay up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/my-feelings-are-if-you-re-gonna-lead-a-rock-n-roll-lifestyle-don-t/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [There's no doubt arena shows are exciting, but you don't get that up close and personal kind of vibe, and that's what rock n'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-perry/there-s-no-doubt-arena-shows-are-exciting-but-you-don-t-get-that-up/) [Joe Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-perry/) > [I had written a tune called 'Shake, Rattle and Roll,' but the white stations refused to play it - they thought it was low-class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-stone/i-had-written-a-tune-called-shake-rattle-and-roll-but-the-white/) [Jesse Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-stone/) > [When I talk about rock n' roll, to me, that goes back to the beginning of the 1950s. Blue suede shoes and sideburns, man.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/when-i-talk-about-rock-n-roll-to-me-that-goes-back-to-the-beginning/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [Rock n roll is about drugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/rock-n-roll-is-about-drugs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [If you think you are too old to rock 'n roll, then you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemmy-kilmister/if-you-think-you-are-too-old-to-rock-n-roll-then-you-are/) [Lemmy Kilmister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemmy-kilmister/) ## More by Nikki Sixx > [“Addictions are just symptoms of underlying issues, and in my view Nikki self-medicated the emotional pain of his childhood, and being away from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/addictions-are-just-symptoms-of-underlying-issues-and-in-my-view/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [In the end, the whole Internet thing kills me, because you can use it as a positive thing or you can read into all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/in-the-end-the-whole-internet-thing-kills-me-because-you-can-use-it/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [When I'm onstage, I'm more in the audience in my head than I am on the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/when-i-m-onstage-i-m-more-in-the-audience-in-my-head-than-i-am-on-the/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [In the end, the whole Internet thing kills me, because you can use it as a positive thing or you can read into all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/in-the-end-the-whole-internet-thing-kills-me-because-you-can-use-it-2/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [We get paid in flesh. Our audiences are sluts and whores, each and every one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/we-get-paid-in-flesh-our-audiences-are-sluts-and-whores-each-and/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [When you've lost it all…that's when you realize that Life is beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/when-you-ve-lost-it-all-that-s-when-you-realize-that-life-is-beautiful/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [Friends tell each other what nobody else is willing to tell you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/friends-tell-each-other-what-nobody-else-is-willing-to-tell-you/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [Even as a kid, I saw the world in my own way and thought most things that were different were beautiful and magical. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/even-as-a-kid-i-saw-the-world-in-my-own-way-and-thought-most-things/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [Celebrities, movie stars and rock stars are losing their mystique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/celebrities-movie-stars-and-rock-stars-are-losing-their-mystique/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [Addiction - When you can give up something any time, as long as it's next Tuesday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/addiction-when-you-can-give-up-something-any-time-as-long-as-it-s/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [I have a lot of friends who come from alcoholic families, and they aren't alcoholics, because someone explained it to them. When I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/i-have-a-lot-of-friends-who-come-from-alcoholic-families-and-they/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [Which side of the blade is sharper? The lie or the truth? It all seems irrelevant when your jugular is sliced open and you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/which-side-of-the-blade-is-sharper-the-lie-or-the-truth-it-all-seems/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [President George Washington used to wear a wig and make-up. I mean, c'mon, if he could do it, I can do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/president-george-washington-used-to-wear-a-wig-and-make-up-i-mean-c/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [I love a little distortion across the bass; I think it kind of adds something to the sound of the band when the bass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/i-love-a-little-distortion-across-the-bass-i-think-it-kind-of-adds/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [One thing I've always loved doing is hanging out and talking music with other artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/one-thing-i-ve-always-loved-doing-is-hanging-out-and-talking-music/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) [Explore all 241 Nikki Sixx quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) ## More Bad quotes > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. 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When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/) [Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/) > [“If any woman opens her legs for you, don't feel so lucky to be fed with nonsense, she has been a bitch for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/if-any-woman-opens-her-legs-for-you-don-t-feel-so-lucky-to-be-fed/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [One thing I always tell players is that there are three bad things: Nothing good happens after midnight, nothing good happens when you're around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/one-thing-i-always-tell-players-is-that-there-are-three-bad-things/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. 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So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) Browse all 7,973 Bad quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and it's either clever or it's not clever.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nikki Sixx" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it-s-either-clever-or-it-s-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bad" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it-s-either-clever-or-it-s-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac8/nikki-sixx-1436_bad_rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it_600689.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Rock n' roll is dirty, and it's bad, and it's either clever or it's not clever.” — Nikki Sixx", "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": "Nikki Sixx", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Rock n' roll is dirty, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it-s-either-clever-or-it-s-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/rock-n-roll-is-dirty-and-it-s-bad-and-it-s-either-clever-or-it-s-not/#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 } } ] } ```