--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nirvana really touched me as a teenager…" description: "\"Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making me pay attention to music as a participatory thing that I could do.\" — Phil Elverum" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg" --- # Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making… ![“Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making me pay attention to music as a participatory thing that I could do.” quote by Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg) > “Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making me pay attention to music as a participatory thing that I could do.” [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Music can shift from passive listening to active creation, especially during formative years, fostering personal connection and expression. **In simple terms:** Music can inspire you to create, not just listen. Key Takeaway Engage with music actively. Themes creativity identity adolescence Mood reflective inspirational Type personal cultural When to use this quote - teenage self‑discovery - learning instruments - forming taste - community building Key Concepts participatory art musical influence Questions to Reflect On - How did music change your sense of self? - What barriers prevent you from creating music? A Different Perspective Not everyone has resources or confidence to become a participant. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Nirvana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nirvana/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making me pay attention to music as a participatory thing that I could do. Music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elvrum/nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager-and-started-making-me-pay/) [Phil Elvrum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elvrum/) > [From the time that 'Nevermind' came out in September of 1991 to the time that Nirvana was over, it was really just a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/from-the-time-that-nevermind-came-out-in-september-of-1991-to-the/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [After watching a couple of live performances of bands like Nirvana, I was really excited and inspired by how raw and powerful it was.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/panda-bear/after-watching-a-couple-of-live-performances-of-bands-like-nirvana-i/) [Panda Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/panda-bear/) > [Dave Grohl is my favourite musician ever because I was a massive fan of Nirvana. I really admire him because he can play so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-whitmore/dave-grohl-is-my-favourite-musician-ever-because-i-was-a-massive-fan/) [Laura Whitmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-whitmore/) > [Nirvana is not really a physical place, although sometimes I talk about it as if it were. It is not really an experience, although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-not-really-a-physical-place-although-sometimes-i-talk/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I am recognized a lot for 'Master of None.' It seems like that show really touched a cultural nerve in a good way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jon-benjamin/i-am-recognized-a-lot-for-master-of-none-it-seems-like-that-show/) [H. Jon Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jon-benjamin/) > [I'm a remedial reading student from Ohio who grew up to write pieces on my mom and dad in the 'New York Times.' They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kozelek/i-m-a-remedial-reading-student-from-ohio-who-grew-up-to-write-pieces/) [Mark Kozelek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kozelek/) > [I often say the last role I played that really touched me and where I was able to access what I really am was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-often-say-the-last-role-i-played-that-really-touched-me-and-where-i/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [“I don't know if I've ever really touched him. Maybe once or twice when passing papers back. You know, even shorter, his hair looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/i-don-t-know-if-i-ve-ever-really-touched-him-maybe-once-or-twice-when/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [I love the fact that we, as black people, carry our faith with us. We share it and embrace it and love it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-kodjoe/i-love-the-fact-that-we-as-black-people-carry-our-faith-with-us-we/) [Boris Kodjoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-kodjoe/) > [Have you ever thought that tears are more precious than Smiles ? You may smile for anyone, But you would not cry for anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/have-you-ever-thought-that-tears-are-more-precious-than-smiles-you/) Pacifiersucker > [To hear people saying, 'The music you are doing has really touched my life and it's moved me in a lot of ways. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kip-moore/to-hear-people-saying-the-music-you-are-doing-has-really-touched-my/) [Kip Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kip-moore/) > [I think when you're a fan of music - at least the way I've been a fan to artists that have really touched me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/i-think-when-you-re-a-fan-of-music-at-least-the-way-i-ve-been-a-fan/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [I've gotten scripts over the years, but I believe it was the stories of 'Moonlight' and 'Hidden Figures' that really touched my heart and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-ve-gotten-scripts-over-the-years-but-i-believe-it-was-the-stories/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I even got letters form kids in hospitals saying the music is what keeps them going, and that really touched my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cochrane/i-even-got-letters-form-kids-in-hospitals-saying-the-music-is-what/) [Tom Cochrane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cochrane/) ## More by Phil Elverum > [I like the experience being in the audience and being overwhelmed by sound, like thick, oppressive loud sound and distortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-like-the-experience-being-in-the-audience-and-being-overwhelmed-by/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I want to not be associated with death or cancer, I don't want that life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-want-to-not-be-associated-with-death-or-cancer-i-don-t-want-that/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [They're all true - the cliches like 'one day at time' and 'ups and downs.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/they-re-all-true-the-cliches-like-one-day-at-time-and-ups-and-downs/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [A weird side effect of being in close proximity to death is an urgency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/a-weird-side-effect-of-being-in-close-proximity-to-death-is-an-urgency/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I like Copenhagen, just because my shows there have been really good for some reason. Not that I love the city itself, but every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-like-copenhagen-just-because-my-shows-there-have-been-really-good/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [My exposure to independent music was via Nirvana and grunge so I'd never gotten into punk. I don't really like that music of Crass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/my-exposure-to-independent-music-was-via-nirvana-and-grunge-so-i-d/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I feel like I spend most of my time in a state of writer's block! When things do come out, they come out quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-feel-like-i-spend-most-of-my-time-in-a-state-of-writer-s-block-when/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [It's a beautiful idea to focus on how everything is temporary and always in flux. It may feel bad now, but it will feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/it-s-a-beautiful-idea-to-focus-on-how-everything-is-temporary-and/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [My grandpa is the funniest person in the world, straight up. But mostly everyone in my family groans when he is 'on.' I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/my-grandpa-is-the-funniest-person-in-the-world-straight-up-but-mostly/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [Usually I work at the merch table until one minute before I have to go on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/usually-i-work-at-the-merch-table-until-one-minute-before-i-have-to/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [All the books on my shelves, when I would go to them to look for help with my anguish, they all just seemed so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/all-the-books-on-my-shelves-when-i-would-go-to-them-to-look-for-help/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I wanted to make a record that would transcend the bad, hard feelings of a love relationship not working out, to make something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-wanted-to-make-a-record-that-would-transcend-the-bad-hard-feelings/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [I sometimes think about the life that my daughter will have with no mom. What does it mean to have a ghost mom? Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-sometimes-think-about-the-life-that-my-daughter-will-have-with-no/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [Every tour is different. Sometimes I'll get a band together and sometimes it's just me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/every-tour-is-different-sometimes-i-ll-get-a-band-together-and/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) > [In the early '50s, my great-grandmother and grandfather raised a baby gorilla named Bobo who wore clothes and played with the neighborhood kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/in-the-early-50s-my-great-grandmother-and-grandfather-raised-a-baby/) [Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) [Explore all 99 Phil Elverum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [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/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making me pay attention to music as a participatory thing that I could do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Phil Elverum" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager-and-started-making-me-pay-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attention" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager-and-started-making-me-pay-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/phil-elverum-6384_attention_nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager_1546616.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Nirvana really touched me as a teenager and started making me pay attention to music as a participatory…” — Phil Elverum", "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": "Phil Elverum", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Nirvana really touched me as a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager-and-started-making-me-pay-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/nirvana-really-touched-me-as-a-teenager-and-started-making-me-pay-2/#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 } } ] } ```