Also Quote by Robbie Robertson
“The native music of North America, the original-roots music of this country, is also the underworld music of this country.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Robbie Robertson on American music, 2009
American music blends native roots with broader culture, creating a hidden, influential undercurrent.
In simple terms: Native roots shape mainstream music.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and honor foundational influences.
Themes
music history
cultural fusion
heritage
Mood
curious
appreciative
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- music education
- cultural preservation
- songwriting
Key Concepts
American folk
indigenous rhythms
cultural exchange
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden influences shape today’s music?
- How can we preserve original sounds?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on mainstream can erase origins.
![“I was always drawn to the roots music, bluegrass, blues, early rock - Sun Records, Elvis [Presley]. And I still love that music to this day. Memphis never gets the credit. It's much more musically rich than Nashville ever will be. Nashville manufactured that hokey-hillbilly image way back.” quote by Steve Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad8/steve-young-2710_bluegrass_i-was-always-drawn-to-the-roots-music-bl_1880523.jpg)
![“Unlike many Sixties rockers,[Bob] Dylan sang about getting old, about broken dreams. His return to roots music pointed the way for many of his contemporaries to forsake trying to sound 'current' and to instead make music that would stand the test of time.” quote by Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d7/jay-michaelson-15590_bob_unlike-many-sixties-rockers-bob-dylan-sa_1263736.jpg)
![“The most recent incarnation of [Bob] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along the Watchtower" sound like a Disney tune, hosts an old-school radio show, and turns up in some unusual places, like ads for Chrysler and Victoria's…” quote by Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/734/jay-michaelson-15590_ads_the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan_17700.jpg)
