--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I decided to always sing in the back with…" description: "\"I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.\" — Patti LaBelle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png" --- # I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and… ![“I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.” quote by Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png) > “I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.” [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing background roles due to performance anxiety limits personal expression. **In simple terms:** Anxiety keeps you in the background. Key Takeaway Face fear. Themes self‑esteem performance anxiety Mood encouraging hopeful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - stage performance - team projects Key Concepts psychology personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your anxiety? - How can you step forward? A Different Perspective Risk of missing opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chorus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chorus/) [Chorus Went](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chorus-went-4817087/) [Decided](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decided/) [Decided Sing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decided-sing-599566/) [Performing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performing/) [Sing Chorus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sing-chorus-3790445/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Trouble Performing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble-performing-4817086/) ## Related quotes > [In the U.S.A., we want to sing along with the chorus and ignore the verses, ignore the blues. . . No one is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/in-the-u-s-a-we-want-to-sing-along-with-the-chorus-and-ignore-the/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [I decided to sing again after settling in Newark in 1982. I had a burning desire to sing and lots of encouragement from my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-scott/i-decided-to-sing-again-after-settling-in-newark-in-1982-i-had-a/) [Jimmy Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-scott/) > [I guess when I got into my preteens, I turned about 12 and I decided to sing R&B, because I felt like one day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmine-sullivan/i-guess-when-i-got-into-my-preteens-i-turned-about-12-and-i-decided/) [Jazmine Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmine-sullivan/) > [“I wish that life could be carefree, sunny, never cloudy- But you said that I would be in Your arms when things get crazy-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moriah-peters/i-wish-that-life-could-be-carefree-sunny-never-cloudy-but-you-said/) [Moriah Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moriah-peters/) > [Mum decided that I could sing a bit, so she put me in a choir, which I hated and it was just a nightmare.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-spencer/mum-decided-that-i-could-sing-a-bit-so-she-put-me-in-a-choir-which-i/) [Jesse Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-spencer/) > [Through our concerts and tours, we learned that our music is capable of bringing people together, breaking borders and genres. To symbolize all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzuka-nakamoto/through-our-concerts-and-tours-we-learned-that-our-music-is-capable/) [Suzuka Nakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzuka-nakamoto/) > [Today I decided to sing in my underwear! No one seemed to mind! #loveyoufromtheinsideout. #artforfreedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/today-i-decided-to-sing-in-my-underwear-no-one-seemed-to-mind/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [I know how to put it on when it comes to interviews and performing because I have to. But I'm pretty laid back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-know-how-to-put-it-on-when-it-comes-to-interviews-and-performing/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I think the inception of my interest in arts was when I was around 9 or 10 and I started dancing. I was really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wright/i-think-the-inception-of-my-interest-in-arts-was-when-i-was-around-9/) [Robin Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-wright/) > [I sometimes wonder whether our churches--living as we do in American death-denying culture, relentlessly smiling through our praise choruses--are inadvertently helping people live not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-galli/i-sometimes-wonder-whether-our-churches-living-as-we-do-in-american/) [Mark Galli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-galli/) > [It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/it-was-a-spring-without-voices-on-the-mornings-that-had-once-throbbed/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [I had done chorus before in school, but I was only trying for an easy A. I was a bass going 'dum dum da…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-hedlund/i-had-done-chorus-before-in-school-but-i-was-only-trying-for-an-easy/) [Garrett Hedlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-hedlund/) > [If I had my way, I would build a lethal chamber as big as the Crystal Palace, with a military band playing softly, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/if-i-had-my-way-i-would-build-a-lethal-chamber-as-big-as-the-crystal/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [“CHORUS What, never? CAPTAIN No, never! CHORUS What, never? CAPTAIN Well, hardly ever!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert-2/chorus-what-never-captain-no-never-chorus-what-never-captain-well/) [W.S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert-2/) > [It's tough hearing your voice on the radio, on a chorus, and knowing that people think it's another artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-rexha/it-s-tough-hearing-your-voice-on-the-radio-on-a-chorus-and-knowing/) [Bebe Rexha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-rexha/) ## More by Patti LaBelle > [I was very shy. I'm still shy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-shy/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [Every exit is an entrance to someplace else](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/every-exit-is-an-entrance-to-someplace-else/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [There's not much longevity in music today. It's so easy to go in, put some pretentious lyrics on, with people saying the same thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/there-s-not-much-longevity-in-music-today-it-s-so-easy-to-go-in-put/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/a-diva-is-someone-who-is-a-perfectionist-who-does-her-best-in-her/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [Women are strong now. Women are dominating the charts, and women are doing it for themselves. We're kicking butt and taking no prisoners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/women-are-strong-now-women-are-dominating-the-charts-and-women-are/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I never thought I would be singing for the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-never-thought-i-would-be-singing-for-the-world/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [Tell Aretha I’ll be praying for herBecause she needs Jesus!I love her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/tell-aretha-i-ll-be-praying-for-herbecause-she-needs-jesus-i-love-her/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [Many a false step is made standing still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/many-a-false-step-is-made-standing-still/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I know how to put it on when it comes to interviews and performing because I have to. But I'm pretty laid back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-know-how-to-put-it-on-when-it-comes-to-interviews-and-performing/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I can't do some of the songs that younger girls like Mary J. Blige and Beyonce are doing. They have their own place and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-can-t-do-some-of-the-songs-that-younger-girls-like-mary-j-blige-and/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [Here's the thing about faith: It gives us the strength to go on when we want to give in. It gives us the courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/here-s-the-thing-about-faith-it-gives-us-the-strength-to-go-on-when/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [People with no humor, they're outta my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/people-with-no-humor-they-re-outta-my-life/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I'm 60, and I did 60-year-old women songs. I'm not trying to be the Hip-Hop Queen, although I am the original Hip Hop Queen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-m-60-and-i-did-60-year-old-women-songs-i-m-not-trying-to-be-the-hip/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I like hip-hop music, but some of the lyrics make me want to cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-like-hip-hop-music-but-some-of-the-lyrics-make-me-want-to-cry/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I keep showing decade after decade that I am a real performer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-keep-showing-decade-after-decade-that-i-am-a-real-performer/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) [Explore all 61 Patti LaBelle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) ## More Chorus quotes > [It's tough hearing your voice on the radio, on a chorus, and knowing that people think it's another artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-rexha/it-s-tough-hearing-your-voice-on-the-radio-on-a-chorus-and-knowing/) [Bebe Rexha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-rexha/) > [“CHORUS What, never? CAPTAIN No, never! CHORUS What, never? CAPTAIN Well, hardly ever!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert-2/chorus-what-never-captain-no-never-chorus-what-never-captain-well/) [W.S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert-2/) > [If I had my way, I would build a lethal chamber as big as the Crystal Palace, with a military band playing softly, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/if-i-had-my-way-i-would-build-a-lethal-chamber-as-big-as-the-crystal/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [I had done chorus before in school, but I was only trying for an easy A. I was a bass going 'dum dum da…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-hedlund/i-had-done-chorus-before-in-school-but-i-was-only-trying-for-an-easy/) [Garrett Hedlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-hedlund/) > [It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/it-was-a-spring-without-voices-on-the-mornings-that-had-once-throbbed/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [I sometimes wonder whether our churches--living as we do in American death-denying culture, relentlessly smiling through our praise choruses--are inadvertently helping people live not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-galli/i-sometimes-wonder-whether-our-churches-living-as-we-do-in-american/) [Mark Galli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-galli/) > [I think the inception of my interest in arts was when I was around 9 or 10 and I started dancing. I was really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wright/i-think-the-inception-of-my-interest-in-arts-was-when-i-was-around-9/) [Robin Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-wright/) > [I think a lot of the writing, you know, I write is just kind of like that where, you know. I write exactly how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-camp/i-think-a-lot-of-the-writing-you-know-i-write-is-just-kind-of-like/) [Jeremy Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-camp/) > [I started acting as a child in Community Theatre but I didn't do any serious stuff. It was all musicals like 'Annie' and 'Wizard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-williams/i-started-acting-as-a-child-in-community-theatre-but-i-didn-t-do-any/) [Michelle Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-williams/) > [It's a very appropriate show to be doing around Halloween because it's very dark and mysterious. There are some great chorus scenes and some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-marvel/it-s-a-very-appropriate-show-to-be-doing-around-halloween-because-it/) [James Marvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-marvel/) > [Everyone knows that quote because of the Doors." Jace looked at her blankly. "The Doors. They were a band." "If you say so," he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/everyone-knows-that-quote-because-of-the-doors-jace-looked-at-her/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [We worked the medley on side two of "Abbey Road" out carefully in advance. All of those mini songs were partly completed tunes; some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/we-worked-the-medley-on-side-two-of-abbey-road-out-carefully-in/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [HOG, n. A bird remarkable for the catholicity of its appetite and serving to illustrate that of ours. Among the Mahometans and Jews, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hog-n-a-bird-remarkable-for-the-catholicity-of-its-appetite-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Every single empire in its official discourse has said that it is not like all the others, that its circumstances are special, that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/every-single-empire-in-its-official-discourse-has-said-that-it-is-not/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) > ["You ask me how I know he lives?" asks the revival chorus. "He lives within my heart." Exactly! A figment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-price/you-ask-me-how-i-know-he-lives-asks-the-revival-chorus-he-lives/) [Robert M. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-price/) [Browse all 326 Chorus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chorus/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patti LaBelle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-with-the-chorus-and-never-went/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chorus" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-with-the-chorus-and-never-went/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/patti-labelle-10909_chorus_i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-wit_3009238.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.” — Patti LaBelle", "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": "Patti LaBelle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I decided to always sing in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-with-the-chorus-and-never-went/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/i-decided-to-always-sing-in-the-back-with-the-chorus-and-never-went/#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 } } ] } ```