--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: From a really young age, I was playing…" description: "\"From a really young age, I was playing Cat Stevens and listening to Paul Simon. As I got a little older, I got really into the Avett Brothers and Count..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/noah-kahan-5507_age_from-a-really-young-age-i-was-playing-ca_749539.jpg" --- # From a really young age, I was playing Cat Stevens and… ![“From a really young age, I was playing Cat Stevens and listening to Paul Simon. As I got a little older, I got really into the Avett Brothers and Counting Crows and Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers.” quote by Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/noah-kahan-5507_age_from-a-really-young-age-i-was-playing-ca_749539.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/noah-kahan-5507_age_from-a-really-young-age-i-was-playing-ca_749539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/noah-kahan-5507_age_from-a-really-young-age-i-was-playing-ca_749539.jpg) > “From a really young age, I was playing Cat Stevens and listening to Paul Simon. As I got a little older, I got really into the Avett Brothers and Counting Crows and Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers.” [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on how early musical influences shaped his evolving taste across genres. **In simple terms:** Early music shaped later preferences. Key Takeaway Explore diverse music early. Themes influence growth genre exploration Mood nostalgic reflective Type personal musical When to use this quote - listening to new artists - building playlists - forming a musical style Key Concepts musical development personal identity Questions to Reflect On - How did early artists affect your songwriting? - Do you still seek new sounds? A Different Perspective Early exposure may limit openness to future genres. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brothers/) [Crows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crows/) [Young age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-age/) ## Related quotes > [How many artists to pick as my obsessions? The four I listen to all the time are Phoebe Bridgers, A Tribe Called Quest -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-parks/how-many-artists-to-pick-as-my-obsessions-the-four-i-listen-to-all/) [Arlo Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-parks/) > [We were copying lots of bands, like Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-marshall/we-were-copying-lots-of-bands-like-avett-brothers-and-old-crow/) [Winston Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-marshall/) > [I listen to the Avett Brothers all the time. I find their music interesting and introspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-falcone/i-listen-to-the-avett-brothers-all-the-time-i-find-their-music/) [Ben Falcone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-falcone/) > [I'd like to do something with the Avett Brothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-oates/i-d-like-to-do-something-with-the-avett-brothers/) [John Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-oates/) > [Some of our favorite bands are, like, Third Eye Blind and Counting Crows, and stuff like Danny Elfman and Jon Brion movie scores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-ross/some-of-our-favorite-bands-are-like-third-eye-blind-and-counting/) [Ryan Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-ross/) > [Some people would say Counting Crows or Third Eye Blind would be a guilty pleasure, but they're two of my favorite bands - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-ross/some-people-would-say-counting-crows-or-third-eye-blind-would-be-a/) [Ryan Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-ross/) > [I am in love with Counting Crows. It is so manly and American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/i-am-in-love-with-counting-crows-it-is-so-manly-and-american/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [I think the message of the Live/Counting Crows tour is that, aside from what's going on trendwise, if you dig a little, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-kowalczyk/i-think-the-message-of-the-live-counting-crows-tour-is-that-aside/) [Ed Kowalczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-kowalczyk/) > [A flight from London carrying the artist we all used to know as Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, was forced to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-stevens/a-flight-from-london-carrying-the-artist-we-all-used-to-know-as-cat/) [Cat Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-stevens/) > [My dad has totally taken my Cat Stevens T-shirt, but it's OK; I have his Black Flag one, and that's amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kravitz/my-dad-has-totally-taken-my-cat-stevens-t-shirt-but-it-s-ok-i-have/) [Zoe Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kravitz/) > [I heard a lot of Cat Stevens when I was a kid and, subliminally, I guess it had an effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/i-heard-a-lot-of-cat-stevens-when-i-was-a-kid-and-subliminally-i/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) > [In reference to Cat Stevens, it is very, very important we have accurate information on our terrorist watch list and our no fly list…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-hutchinson/in-reference-to-cat-stevens-it-is-very-very-important-we-have/) [Asa Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-hutchinson/) > [I rejected most of the folk I was exposed to in the Seventies. I came around later to Tom Waits, some parts of Jim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-rejected-most-of-the-folk-i-was-exposed-to-in-the-seventies-i-came/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [Even in the beginning, when we knew there was a legal argument about how much our song sounds like his song, as one songwriter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-coyne/even-in-the-beginning-when-we-knew-there-was-a-legal-argument-about/) [Wayne Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-coyne/) > [Yeah, some people said I tried to rip off Cat Stevens and Stevie Wonder. Oh, well. I've always admired those guys. But for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/yeah-some-people-said-i-tried-to-rip-off-cat-stevens-and-stevie/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) ## More by Noah Kahan > [I just wanted to sound like Green Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-just-wanted-to-sound-like-green-day/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I was obsessed with dinosaurs when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-was-obsessed-with-dinosaurs-when-i-was-a-kid/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [Forever is a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/forever-is-a-long-time/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I definitely feel a lot of pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-definitely-feel-a-lot-of-pressure/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I've really enjoyed the attention of people knowing my music and hearing me and coming to see me. But I also am really scared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-ve-really-enjoyed-the-attention-of-people-knowing-my-music-and/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I want people who live in small towns to know I hear them, I see them and I know what it's like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-want-people-who-live-in-small-towns-to-know-i-hear-them-i-see-them/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [Vermont has been home to so many amazing breweries and to be able to represent my home state in this way has been a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/vermont-has-been-home-to-so-many-amazing-breweries-and-to-be-able-to/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [The word 'forever' used to terrify me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/the-word-forever-used-to-terrify-me/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [Sometimes I just feel like Larry David walking around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/sometimes-i-just-feel-like-larry-david-walking-around/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I try to be honest in my songs because it helps me cope. It also helps me, hopefully, connect with people that are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-try-to-be-honest-in-my-songs-because-it-helps-me-cope-it-also-helps/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [One thing that really helps me is I have a lot of friends who work very different jobs and work very hard. I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/one-thing-that-really-helps-me-is-i-have-a-lot-of-friends-who-work/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [There are a couple records that really helped aid the imagery of 'Stick Season,' Sam Fender's 'Seventeen Going Under,' for one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/there-are-a-couple-records-that-really-helped-aid-the-imagery-of/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [Even when I play shows, I'm more nervous to play a show in Vermont or New Hampshire than I am to play a song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/even-when-i-play-shows-i-m-more-nervous-to-play-a-show-in-vermont-or/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I've been a James Bay fan forever. When I signed to Republic, I was so excited because it was James Bay's record label.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-ve-been-a-james-bay-fan-forever-when-i-signed-to-republic-i-was-so/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [When I would write songs that were more pop-y in a studio, I would go home and write a song that was more folk-y…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/when-i-would-write-songs-that-were-more-pop-y-in-a-studio-i-would-go/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) [Explore all 100 Noah Kahan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [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/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. Adulthood is a series of lines crossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/age-is-an-accumulation-of-life-and-loss-adulthood-is-a-series-of/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [We have started to make music at age seven. That was a hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/we-have-started-to-make-music-at-age-seven-that-was-a-hard-work/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) [Browse all 18,948 Age quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "From a really young age, I was playing Cat Stevens and listening to Paul Simon. 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