--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Raoul' sold a respectable 700,000 copies…" description: "\"Raoul' sold a respectable 700,000 copies without a hit single. It didn't take off. If you don't sell 8 million albums or 4 million albums again, everyb..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25c/roland-orzabal-15702_again_raoul-sold-a-respectable-700-000-copies_1080560.jpg" --- # Raoul' sold a respectable 700,000 copies without a hit… ![“Raoul' sold a respectable 700,000 copies without a hit single. It didn't take off. If you don't sell 8 million albums or 4 million albums again, everybody deems it a big failure.” quote by Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25c/roland-orzabal-15702_again_raoul-sold-a-respectable-700-000-copies_1080560.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25c/roland-orzabal-15702_again_raoul-sold-a-respectable-700-000-copies_1080560.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25c/roland-orzabal-15702_again_raoul-sold-a-respectable-700-000-copies_1080560.jpg) > “Raoul' sold a respectable 700,000 copies without a hit single. It didn't take off. If you don't sell 8 million albums or 4 million albums again, everybody deems it a big failure.” [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Commercial success is judged by arbitrary sales thresholds, ignoring artistic merit and effort. **In simple terms:** Success is often measured by numbers, not quality. Key Takeaway Redefine success beyond sales figures. Themes success art industry standards Mood critical thoughtful Type analysis philosophical When to use this quote - music industry - independent artists - marketing campaigns Key Concepts metrics creativity perseverance Questions to Reflect On - How do you value your work beyond sales? - What alternative metrics matter to you? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine talent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [Every year, we couldn't believe it, and even when I look back on it now, to sell 14 million singles, 50 million albums and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-filan/every-year-we-couldn-t-believe-it-and-even-when-i-look-back-on-it-now/) [Shane Filan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-filan/) > [It's arguable whether a hit song is gonna add to the business a film does. There are plenty of films that didn't do any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hughes/it-s-arguable-whether-a-hit-song-is-gonna-add-to-the-business-a-film/) [John Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hughes/) > [Someone at Hollywood Records said, 'Are you into Alanis Morissette?' I said 'Yeah, she sells 26 million albums, of course. It would be perverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/someone-at-hollywood-records-said-are-you-into-alanis-morissette-i/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Selling another 10 million albums is not a priority. Putting out something you're proud of is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dexter-holland/selling-another-10-million-albums-is-not-a-priority-putting-out/) [Dexter Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dexter-holland/) > [If one artist sells five million albums, the tendency is for other artists to say, 'Maybe I should do a little of that, too.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-nichols/if-one-artist-sells-five-million-albums-the-tendency-is-for-other/) [Joe Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-nichols/) > [I think it would be nice to sell 15 million albums as a solo artist. I'd have to deal with all the repercussions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-frey/i-think-it-would-be-nice-to-sell-15-million-albums-as-a-solo-artist-i/) [Glenn Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-frey/) > [We all make choices. Believe me, I would like to write the hit of the world. It's not like I have any desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/we-all-make-choices-believe-me-i-would-like-to-write-the-hit-of-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Singles, whatever. But selling a million albums feels like an impossible thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-antonoff/singles-whatever-but-selling-a-million-albums-feels-like-an/) [Jack Antonoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-antonoff/) > [When I got to the second album, there was an expectation, because we'd sold nearly seven million albums on the first record, that this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-david/when-i-got-to-the-second-album-there-was-an-expectation-because-we-d/) [Craig David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-david/) > [It's kind of cool that we've quietly been selling a million albums. We knew the album wasn't going to debut at No. 1. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacoby-shaddix/it-s-kind-of-cool-that-we-ve-quietly-been-selling-a-million-albums-we/) [Jacoby Shaddix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacoby-shaddix/) > [There's a plaque on our wall that says we've sold over 65 million albums, and I don't feel I've accomplished anything. I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-van-halen/there-s-a-plaque-on-our-wall-that-says-we-ve-sold-over-65-million/) [Eddie Van Halen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-van-halen/) > [When you start out as a band, you stake your claim and you go for it. And there's a part of you that dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kowalczyk/when-you-start-out-as-a-band-you-stake-your-claim-and-you-go-for-it/) [Edward Kowalczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kowalczyk/) > [I don't ever want to think my time is up as a performer. I have been afforded the opportunity to sell 150 million albums,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-don-t-ever-want-to-think-my-time-is-up-as-a-performer-i-have-been/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I don't do something because I think it will sell 30 million albums. I couldn't care less. If it sells one, it sells one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-peterson/i-don-t-do-something-because-i-think-it-will-sell-30-million-albums-i/) [Oscar Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-peterson/) > [10 million albums sold I aint gotta brag, Disrespect my girl or my kids and get a bodybag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-game/10-million-albums-sold-i-aint-gotta-brag-disrespect-my-girl-or-my/) [The Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-game/) ## More by Roland Orzabal > [When I became a parent I forgot about the part of myself which was very emotional, very dour a little depressed - but very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/when-i-became-a-parent-i-forgot-about-the-part-of-myself-which-was/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [I tend to get quite close to the songs because I've always been the main songwriter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/i-tend-to-get-quite-close-to-the-songs-because-i-ve-always-been-the/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [I do a lot of vocal warmups, which are the same warmups I did when I was a kid, because I had a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/i-do-a-lot-of-vocal-warmups-which-are-the-same-warmups-i-did-when-i/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [When you write really good lyrics - and sometimes I did! - they are just a joy to sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/when-you-write-really-good-lyrics-and-sometimes-i-did-they-are-just-a/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [Obviously, the big hits like 'Shout,' 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World,' 'Head Over Heels,' we play live, so there's nothing new about them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/obviously-the-big-hits-like-shout-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [I'm proud of the younger Roland. Very proud of some of the lyrics. They stand up today. I'm cool with it, though some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/i-m-proud-of-the-younger-roland-very-proud-of-some-of-the-lyrics-they/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [My voice has changed dramatically over the years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/my-voice-has-changed-dramatically-over-the-years/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [It's not good for you to be barred from traveling to certain places in your head because some skeleton is in the closet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/it-s-not-good-for-you-to-be-barred-from-traveling-to-certain-places/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [A lot of young people have been raised on our music, or rather had it forced upon them by their parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/a-lot-of-young-people-have-been-raised-on-our-music-or-rather-had-it/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [I had suffered from depression in my childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/i-had-suffered-from-depression-in-my-childhood/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [Once you start enjoying your life, the rest is easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/once-you-start-enjoying-your-life-the-rest-is-easy/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [I think it's a shame that 'Woman in Chains' wasn't a hit at the time, although it's become one of people's favorite songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/i-think-it-s-a-shame-that-woman-in-chains-wasn-t-a-hit-at-the-time/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [A song about post-teenage angst like 'Mad World' seems to be permanently relevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/a-song-about-post-teenage-angst-like-mad-world-seems-to-be/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [Two decades later, Gary Jules sang 'Mad World' for the film 'Donnie Darko' and got the Christmas No 1 in 2003. That was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/two-decades-later-gary-jules-sang-mad-world-for-the-film-donnie-darko/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) > [Bath was hardly known for its rock'n roll. We weren't part of the London scene or the New Romantics or any of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-orzabal/bath-was-hardly-known-for-its-rock-n-roll-we-weren-t-part-of-the/) [Roland Orzabal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) [Explore all 42 Roland Orzabal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-orzabal/) ## More Again quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [I've always been interested in photographs, collecting them not systematically but randomly. They get lost, then turn up again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-g-sebald/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-photographs-collecting-them-not/) [W. G. Sebald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-g-sebald/) > [I say this about everything: when I was on 'Neighbours,' I said, 'These are the best years of my life!' When I was filming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-robbie/i-say-this-about-everything-when-i-was-on-neighbours-i-said-these-are/) [Margot Robbie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-robbie/) > [I don't think you should ever say, 'This is the last time'. Music isn't like that. You'll be sitting there not wishing to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-daltrey/i-don-t-think-you-should-ever-say-this-is-the-last-time-music-isn-t/) [Roger Daltrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-daltrey/) > [I don't know about writing. It's quite lonely. You have to have a lot of patience with yourself. I don't know if I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-wilson/i-don-t-know-about-writing-it-s-quite-lonely-you-have-to-have-a-lot/) [Ruth Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-wilson/) > [Inspiration comes from so many sources. Music, other fiction, the non-fiction I read, TV shows, films, news reports, people I know, stories I hear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudi-canavan/inspiration-comes-from-so-many-sources-music-other-fiction-the-non/) [Trudi Canavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudi-canavan/) > [You couldn't get me to go travel around and sit in a hotel room again. I have no interest in doing that. So everybody's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-everly/you-couldn-t-get-me-to-go-travel-around-and-sit-in-a-hotel-room-again/) [Phil Everly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-everly/) > [In theater, one of the biggest problems when you're rehearsing comedy over and over again is that you stop laughing at each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ashley-carter/in-theater-one-of-the-biggest-problems-when-you-re-rehearsing-comedy/) [Lauren Ashley Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ashley-carter/) > [I'd like to do some female roles again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cameron-mitchell/i-d-like-to-do-some-female-roles-again/) [John Cameron Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cameron-mitchell/) > [Death is a sniper. It strikes people you love, people you like, people you know - it's everywhere. You could be next. But then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/death-is-a-sniper-it-strikes-people-you-love-people-you-like-people/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [Well, a lot of our concerts do okay, and I know we still get royalty checks which still isn't that important, but again, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-johnston/well-a-lot-of-our-concerts-do-okay-and-i-know-we-still-get-royalty/) [Bruce Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-johnston/) > [Oh wow, you know what's wrong with all these families on TV? All these kids say stuff no kid would say. Stuff grown-ups want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/macaulay-culkin/oh-wow-you-know-what-s-wrong-with-all-these-families-on-tv-all-these/) [Macaulay Culkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/macaulay-culkin/) > [We must resist the temptation of once again turning America into the traditional bogeyman of the left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-napolitano/we-must-resist-the-temptation-of-once-again-turning-america-into-the/) [Giorgio Napolitano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-napolitano/) > [We won the Europa League in 2013 and it was an amazing night, an amazing feeling. I take those memories and think to myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cahill/we-won-the-europa-league-in-2013-and-it-was-an-amazing-night-an/) [Gary Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cahill/) > [The coronavirus has yet again exposed the strong contrast between President Trump - who is working ardently for the American people - and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayleigh-mcenany/the-coronavirus-has-yet-again-exposed-the-strong-contrast-between/) [Kayleigh McEnany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayleigh-mcenany/) Browse all 2,975 Again quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Raoul' sold a respectable 700,000 copies without a hit single. It didn't take off. 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