--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I…" description: "\"I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I am basically, first and foremost, a musician. I'm always recording all styles of music.\" — Ray Stevens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/ray-stevens-22432_always_i-m-not-just-a-singer-of-funny-songs-i-a_946605.png" --- # I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I am basically… ![“I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I am basically, first and foremost, a musician. I'm always recording all styles of music.” quote by Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/ray-stevens-22432_always_i-m-not-just-a-singer-of-funny-songs-i-a_946605.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/ray-stevens-22432_always_i-m-not-just-a-singer-of-funny-songs-i-a_946605.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/ray-stevens-22432_always_i-m-not-just-a-singer-of-funny-songs-i-a_946605.png) > “I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I am basically, first and foremost, a musician. I'm always recording all styles of music.” [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) ## 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 asserts his identity as a serious musician beyond comedic songs, emphasizing versatility and dedication to all music styles. **In simple terms:** He sees himself as a musician first, not just a comedy singer. Key Takeaway Focus on artistic breadth, not genre labels. Themes identity musicianship versatility Mood reflective determined Type statement self‑definition When to use this quote - recording sessions - concert planning - collaborations - genre experimentation Key Concepts artistic integrity genre fluidity Questions to Reflect On - How does genre affect audience expectations? - Can humor coexist with serious artistry? A Different Perspective Comedy may dominate public perception, limiting artistic credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Recording](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recording/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs/) ## Related quotes > [I was in the recording studio when Pink was recording for a part of the gay rights anthem. It was just amazing to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-apatow/i-was-in-the-recording-studio-when-pink-was-recording-for-a-part-of/) [Judd Apatow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-apatow/) > [I am first and foremost a musician, although those of us who live elsewhere still dream about the inspirational qualities of Australia and its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-woodward/i-am-first-and-foremost-a-musician-although-those-of-us-who-live/) Roger Woodward > [Somehow, magically, I've become an electronic musician, and I have a recording studio that looks like the bridge of the Enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/somehow-magically-i-ve-become-an-electronic-musician-and-i-have-a/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [I started out as musician and recording artist but quite soon started to do my own videos. One thing led to another, and soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-renck/i-started-out-as-musician-and-recording-artist-but-quite-soon-started/) [Johan Renck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-renck/) > [My job of being a musician in a recording studio has nothing to do with being a musician being on tour performing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/my-job-of-being-a-musician-in-a-recording-studio-has-nothing-to-do/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [I did recording sessions as a musician as well as a background vocalist and enjoyed every minute of it. I remember singing harmony with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-did-recording-sessions-as-a-musician-as-well-as-a-background/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [First and foremost, I married for love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kardashian/first-and-foremost-i-married-for-love/) [Kim Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kardashian/) > [First and foremost, it was fun. Everybody involved with it made you feel like they were an important contributor to the process. We were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-arkin/first-and-foremost-it-was-fun-everybody-involved-with-it-made-you/) [Adam Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-arkin/) > [Yes, I mean like you know, having studied with Yehudi Menuhin that is like some direct route into Bach, because he was one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-kennedy/yes-i-mean-like-you-know-having-studied-with-yehudi-menuhin-that-is/) [Nigel Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-kennedy/) > [I shall always think of myself first and foremost... as a hunter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-shall-always-think-of-myself-first-and-foremost-as-a-hunter/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The White House is a huge organization, first and foremost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mccurry/the-white-house-is-a-huge-organization-first-and-foremost/) [Mike McCurry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mccurry/) > [“Never give up! And write for yourself first and foremost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aminah-iman/never-give-up-and-write-for-yourself-first-and-foremost/) Aminah Iman > [I'm a musician, first and foremost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarface/i-m-a-musician-first-and-foremost/) [Scarface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarface/) > [I want to look at the whole package, but I definitely want to protect the middle-class taxpayer, first and foremost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-hagan/i-want-to-look-at-the-whole-package-but-i-definitely-want-to-protect/) [Kay Hagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-hagan/) > [Doing 'Malcolm and Eddie' was probably the foremost miserable years of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jamal-warner/doing-malcolm-and-eddie-was-probably-the-foremost-miserable-years-of/) [Malcolm-Jamal Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jamal-warner/) ## More by Ray Stevens > [Osama, yo Mama didn't raise you right. When you were young, she must have wrapped your turban too tight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/osama-yo-mama-didn-t-raise-you-right-when-you-were-young-she-must/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I originally passed on 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head' in 1969, so they gave it to B.J. Thomas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-originally-passed-on-raindrops-keep-fallin-on-my-head-in-1969-so/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [Bill Justis was a saxophone player, good musician, arranger, and friend of mine who had a big hit called 'Raunchy.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/bill-justis-was-a-saxophone-player-good-musician-arranger-and-friend/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I just love music in general. I've been a fan of all different kinds of music since I can remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-just-love-music-in-general-i-ve-been-a-fan-of-all-different-kinds/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I saw Louis Armstrong perform at Albany State College on Radio Springs Road. He was probably the first famous individual I saw in concert.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-saw-louis-armstrong-perform-at-albany-state-college-on-radio/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [There is none so blind as he who will not see. We must not close our minds, we must let our thoughts be free.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/there-is-none-so-blind-as-he-who-will-not-see-we-must-not-close-our/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I'm a big fan of comedy music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-m-a-big-fan-of-comedy-music/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [Take your love and put it where the sun don't shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/take-your-love-and-put-it-where-the-sun-don-t-shine/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [Whatever you think, don't never, unless you will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/whatever-you-think-don-t-never-unless-you-will/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [George Jones may be gone but his music will live on forever. What a great voice and a great friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/george-jones-may-be-gone-but-his-music-will-live-on-forever-what-a/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I love what I do. I made my first record in '57. I don't think I'll ever get tired of making records and writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-love-what-i-do-i-made-my-first-record-in-57-i-don-t-think-i-ll-ever/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [As you know, I played a little trumpet with Elvis. I overdub a few drum licks here and there on a session, but I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/as-you-know-i-played-a-little-trumpet-with-elvis-i-overdub-a-few-drum/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [They call him the Streak, he likes to turn the other cheek. He's always making the news, wearing just his tennis shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/they-call-him-the-streak-he-likes-to-turn-the-other-cheek-he-s-always/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I'm a terrible trumpet player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/i-m-a-terrible-trumpet-player/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [Take the wonder drug that cures all your ills, take Jeremiah Peabody's polyunsaturated, quick dissolving, fast acting, pleasant tasting, green and purple pills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/take-the-wonder-drug-that-cures-all-your-ills-take-jeremiah-peabody-s/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) [Explore all 27 Ray Stevens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not just a singer of funny songs; I am basically, first and foremost, a musician. 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