--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: James Brown was my favorite, my absolute…" description: "\"James Brown was my favorite, my absolute idol. Every time I played with him was like a music lesson, and I never thought I could be so funky! I mean, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/paul-shaffer-21772_absolute_james-brown-was-my-favorite-my-absolute_168214.jpg" --- # James Brown was my favorite, my absolute idol. Every time… ![“James Brown was my favorite, my absolute idol. Every time I played with him was like a music lesson, and I never thought I could be so funky! I mean, a white boy from Canada - a Jew - getting down with his funky bad self!” quote by Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/paul-shaffer-21772_absolute_james-brown-was-my-favorite-my-absolute_168214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/paul-shaffer-21772_absolute_james-brown-was-my-favorite-my-absolute_168214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/paul-shaffer-21772_absolute_james-brown-was-my-favorite-my-absolute_168214.jpg) > “James Brown was my favorite, my absolute idol. Every time I played with him was like a music lesson, and I never thought I could be so funky! I mean, a white boy from Canada - a Jew - getting down with his funky bad self!” [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) ## 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 admires James Brown, seeing him as a mentor whose music inspired confidence and cultural crossover. **In simple terms:** James Brown taught the speaker confidence and cultural blending. Key Takeaway Embrace mentors and cross‑cultural influences. Themes music mentorship identity culture confidence Mood enthusiastic proud Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - learning music - performing live - overcoming self‑doubt - celebrating diversity Key Concepts artistic influence cultural hybridity personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply James Brown's energy to your own style? - What does crossing cultural lines mean for you? A Different Perspective The speaker's excitement may overlook deeper musical technique or broader context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolute/) [Absolute Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolute-idol-1826210/) [Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) [Boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boy/) [Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brown/) [Canada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down/) [Every](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every/) [Every time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-time/) [Favorite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favorite/) [Funky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funky/) [Funky Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funky-bad-1826211/) [Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting/) [Him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/him/) [His](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his/) [Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol/) [Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jackson/) [James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james/) [James brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james-brown/) [Jew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jew/) [Lesson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lesson/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Played](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/played/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Thought Funky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-funky-1826209/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white/) ## Related quotes > [Renaud was my absolute idol.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armand-duplantis/renaud-was-my-absolute-idol/) [Armand Duplantis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armand-duplantis/) > [It's like James Brown used to say... I don't know, but whatever I play it's got to be funky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-jones/it-s-like-james-brown-used-to-say-i-don-t-know-but-whatever-i-play-it/) [Curtis Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-jones/) > [I always loved James Brown, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradley/i-always-loved-james-brown-diana-ross-aretha-franklin-sam-cooke/) [Charles Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradley/) > [When we heard we were topping the bill over James Brown we couldn't believe it. We tried for two days to get it changed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-jagger/when-we-heard-we-were-topping-the-bill-over-james-brown-we-couldn-t/) [Mick Jagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-jagger/) > [“James Brown went to the pearly gates and met St. Peter who took him to a room where Jerry Garcia was playing and Jimi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-keillor/james-brown-went-to-the-pearly-gates-and-met-st-peter-who-took-him-to/) [Garrison Keillor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-keillor/) > [I was inspired by James Brown, Michael Jackson and Prince.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginuwine/i-was-inspired-by-james-brown-michael-jackson-and-prince/) [Ginuwine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginuwine/) > [James Brown became my father. He would talk to me the way a father talked to a son. He became the father I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-sharpton/james-brown-became-my-father-he-would-talk-to-me-the-way-a-father/) [Al Sharpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-sharpton/) > [I'm still somebody that listens to a lot of James Brown, a lot of The O'Jays, a lot of TLC... in that era, producers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-m-still-somebody-that-listens-to-a-lot-of-james-brown-a-lot-of-the/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [When I first played New York, it was with James Brown at the Apollo, and I was playing in a band under the name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-womack/when-i-first-played-new-york-it-was-with-james-brown-at-the-apollo/) [Bobby Womack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-womack/) > [A guy like James Brown has walked the walk, talked the talk. I can't disrespect James Brown in any kind of way. In my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-b/a-guy-like-james-brown-has-walked-the-walk-talked-the-talk-i-can-t/) [Eric B](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-b/) > [I was a James Brown junkie as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-reid/i-was-a-james-brown-junkie-as-a-kid/) [L.A. Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-reid/) > [Doing this James Brown thing for the last couple of days has been ideal. But it's a different kind of fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-shear/doing-this-james-brown-thing-for-the-last-couple-of-days-has-been/) [Jules Shear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-shear/) > [I felt Michael Jackson was inspired a little bit more from the elegance of a Fred Astaire. Michael loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-ortega/i-felt-michael-jackson-was-inspired-a-little-bit-more-from-the/) [Kenny Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-ortega/) > [“Those people obviously don't know who I think I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-wesley-jr/those-people-obviously-don-t-know-who-i-think-i-am/) [Fred Wesley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-wesley-jr/) > [“Think of all the different ways that stories get told. I’m working with the James Brown people on a movie that will end up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmir-questlove-thompson/think-of-all-the-different-ways-that-stories-get-told-i-m-working/) [Ahmir Questlove Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmir-questlove-thompson/) ## More by Paul Shaffer > [When you look into the eyes of an animal youve rescued, you cant help but fall in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/when-you-look-into-the-eyes-of-an-animal-youve-rescued-you-cant-help/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [I still talk incessantly about 'SCTV,' and I say, 'Screw the kids!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/i-still-talk-incessantly-about-sctv-and-i-say-screw-the-kids/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [“She was also unaware that the ego of the artiste is extremely fragile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/she-was-also-unaware-that-the-ego-of-the-artiste-is-extremely-fragile/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [The record business has always mystified me. Sometimes there are reasons why things sell or don't sell that can't be understood by mere mortals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/the-record-business-has-always-mystified-me-sometimes-there-are/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [The Dave Clark Five had more appearances on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' than The Beatles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/the-dave-clark-five-had-more-appearances-on-the-ed-sullivan-show-than/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [You've got to be a really straight man to write a song like 'It's Raining Men.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/you-ve-got-to-be-a-really-straight-man-to-write-a-song-like-it-s/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [As far as favorite 'overall package' record of all time, I'd have to say 'My Girl' by The Temptations. I like everything about it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/as-far-as-favorite-overall-package-record-of-all-time-i-d-have-to-say/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [My years on 'SNL' had reconfirmed that what I do best is play for a sort of edgy comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/my-years-on-snl-had-reconfirmed-that-what-i-do-best-is-play-for-a/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [I love funny people. I met and became friends with some of the funniest people ever. Gilda Radner, bless her soul; Martin Short; Dave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/i-love-funny-people-i-met-and-became-friends-with-some-of-the/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [Writing never had the immediate gratification I was looking for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/writing-never-had-the-immediate-gratification-i-was-looking-for/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [I want to learn to sight-read music. And to play the bass pedals on the organ. Those are my only ambitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/i-want-to-learn-to-sight-read-music-and-to-play-the-bass-pedals-on/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [Everybody should have a shelter dog. Its good for the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/everybody-should-have-a-shelter-dog-its-good-for-the-soul/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [Why would you want to do anything else but rescue a pet?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/why-would-you-want-to-do-anything-else-but-rescue-a-pet/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [I love to do comedy, but music is really my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/i-love-to-do-comedy-but-music-is-really-my-heart/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [I've never had a plan for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/i-ve-never-had-a-plan-for-the-future/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) [Explore all 28 Paul Shaffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) ## More Absolute quotes > [“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-intoxication-of-the-ego-of-i-am/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Absolute is a game with only one player where Absolute forgets itself so it would have a reason to fulfill the motion while returning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/absolute-is-a-game-with-only-one-player-where-absolute-forgets-itself/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“The necessity of nothingness does not create anything. The real value and meaning of the Being are not in its necessity but in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/the-necessity-of-nothingness-does-not-create-anything-the-real-value/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Anarchy is the stepping stone to absolute power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/anarchy-is-the-stepping-stone-to-absolute-power/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [I can like something. You can like something. It's not an absolute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/i-can-like-something-you-can-like-something-it-s-not-an-absolute/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frida-kahlo/nothing-is-absolute-everything-changes-everything-moves-everything/) [Frida Kahlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frida-kahlo/) > [I - it's simply not for me to evaluate an independent rating agency's processes. But I will say that there was reason to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/i-it-s-simply-not-for-me-to-evaluate-an-independent-rating-agency-s/) [Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/) > [Absolute morality is the regulation of conduct in such a way that pain shall not be inflicted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/absolute-morality-is-the-regulation-of-conduct-in-such-a-way-that/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [What is liberty? There is no such thing as absolute liberty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benito-mussolini/what-is-liberty-there-is-no-such-thing-as-absolute-liberty/) [Benito Mussolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benito-mussolini/) > [Doing the right thing at all costs is an absolute, and only a sith deals in absolutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-filoni/doing-the-right-thing-at-all-costs-is-an-absolute-and-only-a-sith/) [Dave Filoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-filoni/) > [“Energy is the world-born phenomenon, the world that puts itself in motion and flies into space by receiving space into itself. From this point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/energy-is-the-world-born-phenomenon-the-world-that-puts-itself-in/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“As we see it, space is possible only when the primordial Being swallows emptiness. Space is born when the Being accepts emptiness, the Nonbeing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/as-we-see-it-space-is-possible-only-when-the-primordial-being/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Absolute faith can blind you to the consequences of the actions you allow. 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