--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All I really want to do is play, that's…" description: "\"All I really want to do is play, that's all that matters. I don't think I've ever tried to cultivate an image. Everything has been on instinct. The fla..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/rory-gallagher-12913_clothes_all-i-really-want-to-do-is-play-that-s-a_1989515.jpg" --- # All I really want to do is play, that's all that matters… ![“All I really want to do is play, that's all that matters. I don't think I've ever tried to cultivate an image. Everything has been on instinct. The flannel shirt and jeans, for example... those are the clothes I wear. If I wore anything else on stage, I wouldn't feel comfortable.” quote by Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/rory-gallagher-12913_clothes_all-i-really-want-to-do-is-play-that-s-a_1989515.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/rory-gallagher-12913_clothes_all-i-really-want-to-do-is-play-that-s-a_1989515.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/rory-gallagher-12913_clothes_all-i-really-want-to-do-is-play-that-s-a_1989515.jpg) > “All I really want to do is play, that's all that matters. I don't think I've ever tried to cultivate an image. Everything has been on instinct. The flannel shirt and jeans, for example... those are the clothes I wear. If I wore anything else on stage, I wouldn't feel comfortable.” [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authenticity in art comes from following instinct rather than constructing a persona. **In simple terms:** Be true to yourself. Key Takeaway Trust your instinct. Themes authenticity creativity individuality Mood introspective defiant Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - performing - writing - fashion choices - public speaking Key Concepts self‑expression artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel pressure to conform? - What instincts guide your choices? A Different Perspective Commercial pressure may push toward image crafting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) [Cultivate Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cultivate-image-3441719/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Matters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matters/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Shirt Jeans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shirt-jeans-658172/) [Stage Wouldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage-wouldn-2321448/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Tried Cultivate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tried-cultivate-3441720/) [Wore Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wore-stage-3441718/) ## Related quotes > [I tend to avoid things like award shows and panels and interviews, not remotely because I feel I'm above them or wish to cultivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lloyd/i-tend-to-avoid-things-like-award-shows-and-panels-and-interviews-not/) [Christopher Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lloyd/) > [Sometimes I wish I was just a girl in an indie band. I could dance around on stage and it wouldn't be so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-allen/sometimes-i-wish-i-was-just-a-girl-in-an-indie-band-i-could-dance/) [Lily Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-allen/) > [If I can muster up any allure in my life, at this stage, I wouldn't mind doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/if-i-can-muster-up-any-allure-in-my-life-at-this-stage-i-wouldn-t/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [I want to say things on stage that I wouldn't have the guts to say in conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romesh-ranganathan/i-want-to-say-things-on-stage-that-i-wouldn-t-have-the-guts-to-say-in/) [Romesh Ranganathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romesh-ranganathan/) > [There are so many huge roles in the theatre: if you've got the option to play Hedda Gabler on stage, why wouldn't you choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-best/there-are-so-many-huge-roles-in-the-theatre-if-you-ve-got-the-option/) [Eve Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-best/) > [I'm not knocking the people who wear blue jeans on stage. For me, that wouldn't be showmanship. That's my craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/porter-wagoner/i-m-not-knocking-the-people-who-wear-blue-jeans-on-stage-for-me-that/) [Porter Wagoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/porter-wagoner/) > [My style is very laid back. Just wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and kicks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-beal/my-style-is-very-laid-back-just-wearing-a-t-shirt-jeans-and-kicks/) [Bradley Beal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-beal/) > [I'm seriously just a T-shirt-and-jeans kind of girl, normally! Every day, that's my go-to!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/i-m-seriously-just-a-t-shirt-and-jeans-kind-of-girl-normally-every/) [Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/) > [I like simple styles like a white t-shirt and jeans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seo-yea-ji/i-like-simple-styles-like-a-white-t-shirt-and-jeans/) [Seo Yea-ji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seo-yea-ji/) > [Oh, and remember: next Friday... is Hawaiian shirt day. So, you know, if you want to, go ahead and wear a Hawaiian shirt and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-lumbergh/oh-and-remember-next-friday-is-hawaiian-shirt-day-so-you-know-if-you/) [Bill Lumbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-lumbergh/) > [Sweet Jesus. It was The Delicious in the dark shirt and jeans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-james/sweet-jesus-it-was-the-delicious-in-the-dark-shirt-and-jeans/) [Julie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-james/) > [I think a well-fit T-shirt and jeans can just kill, style-wise. At least, that's what I tell myself, because that's what I'm going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmi-simpson/i-think-a-well-fit-t-shirt-and-jeans-can-just-kill-style-wise-at/) [Jimmi Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmi-simpson/) > [There's a part of me that wishes I could go out in T-shirt and jeans, 'cause I really love Patti Smith, Cat Power, girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bat-for-lashes/there-s-a-part-of-me-that-wishes-i-could-go-out-in-t-shirt-and-jeans/) [Bat for Lashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bat-for-lashes/) > [“We don’t care if you’re wearing a suit or a T-shirt and jeans. What we care about is the condition of the heart.” Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-putman/we-don-t-care-if-you-re-wearing-a-suit-or-a-t-shirt-and-jeans-what-we/) [David Putman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-putman/) > [I'm a T-shirt-and-jeans-with-combat-boots guy. And if I don't have to shave, I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-macht/i-m-a-t-shirt-and-jeans-with-combat-boots-guy-and-if-i-don-t-have-to/) [Gabriel Macht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-macht/) ## More by Rory Gallagher > [One thing I really hate about people who play both acoustic and electric is if they try to play electric style on an acoustic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/one-thing-i-really-hate-about-people-who-play-both-acoustic-and/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [Touring doesn't have to be a harried, cliched way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/touring-doesn-t-have-to-be-a-harried-cliched-way-of-life/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [There was nobody in the city I came from - Cork, Ireland - that I could link up with to teach me the guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/there-was-nobody-in-the-city-i-came-from-cork-ireland-that-i-could/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [Basically, I like anything with guts - Lead Belly, Bill Big Broonzy, Johnny Winter, the Stones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/basically-i-like-anything-with-guts-lead-belly-bill-big-broonzy/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [It's dangerous not to tour, because people assume you've faded away, or have no interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/it-s-dangerous-not-to-tour-because-people-assume-you-ve-faded-away-or/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [I started on acoustic guitar after I heard Leadbelly and Big Bill Broonzy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/i-started-on-acoustic-guitar-after-i-heard-leadbelly-and-big-bill/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [One of the things that was crucial for me I got from Rory Gallagher, which was the idea of, like, being a guitar player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/one-of-the-things-that-was-crucial-for-me-i-got-from-rory-gallagher/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [I could bear being in the charts and being on everyone's car radio 10 times a day. I'm just terrified of... a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/i-could-bear-being-in-the-charts-and-being-on-everyone-s-car-radio-10/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [I'm a great listener - I play records all the time at home. And I play guitar as a hobby. So inspiration has never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/i-m-a-great-listener-i-play-records-all-the-time-at-home-and-i-play/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [I think that I set such high standards for myself that sometimes I expect other people to live up to these standards, and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/i-think-that-i-set-such-high-standards-for-myself-that-sometimes-i/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [Playing live is my natural element. It's too hard to relax in the studio because there are too many options. It's just not as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/playing-live-is-my-natural-element-it-s-too-hard-to-relax-in-the/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [Obviously, I would like to play to bigger audiences and have a bit more success, but not if I have to commercialize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/obviously-i-would-like-to-play-to-bigger-audiences-and-have-a-bit/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [As a kid, I loved any guitarists, whether it was Elvis Presley, Lonnie Donegan, Chuck Berry or even the cowboy guitarists like Gene Autry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/as-a-kid-i-loved-any-guitarists-whether-it-was-elvis-presley-lonnie/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [My favorite lineup is just a trio, because then every night you can improvise and change the repertoire. Keyboards and brass can be great,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/my-favorite-lineup-is-just-a-trio-because-then-every-night-you-can/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) > [Basically, I try to treat the electric guitar like an acoustic guitar. What you have to do is attack the instrument and know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-gallagher/basically-i-try-to-treat-the-electric-guitar-like-an-acoustic-guitar/) [Rory Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) [Explore all 52 Rory Gallagher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-gallagher/) ## More Clothes quotes > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [The color of somebody's skin or the way he wears his hair or clothes has nothing to do with anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-color-of-somebody-s-skin-or-the-way-he-wears-his-hair-or-clothes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Everyday happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/everyday-happiness-means-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-you-can-t-wait/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [I design some of my own clothes now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiernan-shipka/i-design-some-of-my-own-clothes-now/) [Kiernan Shipka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiernan-shipka/) > [I know my hair is out of the '60's, my clothes are '50's and the shoes I wear are from the '40's. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-my-hair-is-out-of-the-60-s-my-clothes-are-50-s-and-the-shoes-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Don't get too excited, but I'm naked under these clothes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/don-t-get-too-excited-but-i-m-naked-under-these-clothes/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Downstairs in my house, I have a museum room. I keep all of my awards down there, and childhood photos, and even all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-kelly/downstairs-in-my-house-i-have-a-museum-room-i-keep-all-of-my-awards/) [R. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-kelly/) > [My problems are sort of more on a nuisance level. I can't stand scratchy clothes, I've got to have soft kinds of cotton against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-problems-are-sort-of-more-on-a-nuisance-level-i-can-t-stand/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When I was a kid, my parents were happy to buy me clothes; they provided for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-wooster/when-i-was-a-kid-my-parents-were-happy-to-buy-me-clothes-they/) [Nick Wooster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-wooster/) > [It's very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly. I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/it-s-very-important-to-me-that-i-look-good-when-i-go-out-publicly-i/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) [Browse all 4,888 Clothes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All I really want to do is play, that's all that matters. I don't think I've ever tried to cultivate an image. Everything has been on instinct. The flannel shirt and jeans, for example... those are the clothes I wear. 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