--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Steve McQueen was from a time when you…" description: "\"Steve McQueen was from a time when you didn't know every little dirty thing about our public figures. He and James Dean were very mysterious, archetypa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/sheryl-crow-2654_american-hero_steve-mcqueen-was-from-a-time-when-you-d_1932868.jpg" --- # Steve McQueen was from a time when you didn't know every… ![“Steve McQueen was from a time when you didn't know every little dirty thing about our public figures. He and James Dean were very mysterious, archetypal American heroes.” quote by Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/sheryl-crow-2654_american-hero_steve-mcqueen-was-from-a-time-when-you-d_1932868.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/sheryl-crow-2654_american-hero_steve-mcqueen-was-from-a-time-when-you-d_1932868.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/393/sheryl-crow-2654_american-hero_steve-mcqueen-was-from-a-time-when-you-d_1932868.jpg) > “Steve McQueen was from a time when you didn't know every little dirty thing about our public figures. He and James Dean were very mysterious, archetypal American heroes.” [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on a past era where public figures were less scrutinized, making them seem more mysterious and iconic **In simple terms:** Celebrities were once mysterious and idealized Key Takeaway Appreciate the mystery of past icons Themes nostalgia celebrity media mythmaking Mood reflective nostalgic Type analytical observational When to use this quote - Film criticism - media studies - personal reflection - celebrity journalism Key Concepts Cultural memory public perception hero archetype Questions to Reflect On - How does constant exposure affect our perception of heroes? - Can mystery be reclaimed in the digital age? A Different Perspective Modern media erodes mystery, creating overexposure ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-hero/) [American Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-heroes-1201593/) [Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dean/) [Dean Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dean-mysterious-3035132/) [Dirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [James dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james-dean/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Mcqueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mcqueen/) [Mcqueen Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mcqueen-time-3035131/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Nasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nasty/) [Naughty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/naughty/) [Public figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-figures/) [Steve Mcqueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steve-mcqueen/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [We need to build a beautiful granite and bronze monument in our nation's capital to honor American heroes, unsung American heroes. And those unsung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-goldberg/we-need-to-build-a-beautiful-granite-and-bronze-monument-in-our/) [Bernard Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-goldberg/) > [If the untimely battlefield deaths of generations of American heroes have taught us nothing else, it should be this unalterable fact: what you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mullen/if-the-untimely-battlefield-deaths-of-generations-of-american-heroes/) [Michael Mullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mullen/) > [The American heroes are wearing camo. That's not me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-oshie/the-american-heroes-are-wearing-camo-that-s-not-me/) [T. J. Oshie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-oshie/) > [Most American heroes of the Revolutionary period are by now two men, the actual man and the romantic image. Some are even three men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-forbes/most-american-heroes-of-the-revolutionary-period-are-by-now-two-men/) [Esther Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-forbes/) > [One of my American heroes is the great former U.S. diplomat George Kennan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/one-of-my-american-heroes-is-the-great-former-u-s-diplomat-george/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [I think John Coltrane is one of the great American heroes, like Abraham Lincoln and Emily Dickinson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-van-booy/i-think-john-coltrane-is-one-of-the-great-american-heroes-like/) [Simon Van Booy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-van-booy/) > [How fantastic that the American ingenuity of NASA scientists got us to Mars. It makes me proud to be an American. I can't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-granholm/how-fantastic-that-the-american-ingenuity-of-nasa-scientists-got-us/) [Jennifer Granholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-granholm/) > [Those who put their lives on the line overseas are undoubtedly American heroes, but it's time for us to remember that those who serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/those-who-put-their-lives-on-the-line-overseas-are-undoubtedly/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) > [To all who have served in our military, thank you. The sacrifices you made in honor and duty to our country are worthy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-all-who-have-served-in-our-military-thank-you-the-sacrifices-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a sense, by closing off the idea that young Muslims, and particularly young Muslim men, can be American heroes, it increases the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/in-a-sense-by-closing-off-the-idea-that-young-muslims-and/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [For me, personally, I grew up watching American heroes and American movies and TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-maguire/for-me-personally-i-grew-up-watching-american-heroes-and-american/) [Sean Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-maguire/) > [From Clara Barton's tireless work founding the American Red Cross to the first female Medal of Honor winner, Dr. Mary Walker, to our first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-kilmeade/from-clara-barton-s-tireless-work-founding-the-american-red-cross-to/) [Brian Kilmeade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-kilmeade/) > [The story of the Underground Railroad is the story of American heroes, and who doesn't want to hear a story about American heroes?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-green/the-story-of-the-underground-railroad-is-the-story-of-american-heroes/) [Misha Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-green/) > [“AMERICAN HERO The man stepped right up, feet on top of a case of bottled beer. He placed his neck into a rope noose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-shields/american-hero-the-man-stepped-right-up-feet-on-top-of-a-case-of/) [Bill Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-shields/) > [“If there’s one genetic trait that automatically disqualifies a man from being able to rock, it’s curly hair. Nobody cool has curly hair; people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/if-there-s-one-genetic-trait-that-automatically-disqualifies-a-man/) [Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/) ## More by Sheryl Crow > [I hate that word, mature, but I guess I am growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-hate-that-word-mature-but-i-guess-i-am-growing-up/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [I've been really, really blessed. I got to perform on stage with Bob Dylan. I've gotten to sing with Mick Jagger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-ve-been-really-really-blessed-i-got-to-perform-on-stage-with-bob/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Such a muddy line between the things you want/And the things you have to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/such-a-muddy-line-between-the-things-you-want-and-the-things-you-have/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [I know that nuclear is better than fossil fuels when it comes to carbon dioxide, but nuclear energy is by no means clean. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-know-that-nuclear-is-better-than-fossil-fuels-when-it-comes-to/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-propose-a-limitation-be-put-on-how-many-squares-of-toilet-paper-can/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [I've only been making records since 1991. When you look at the long-standing careers of people like Joni, it's not very long!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-ve-only-been-making-records-since-1991-when-you-look-at-the-long/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [So what if right now everything is wrong?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/so-what-if-right-now-everything-is-wrong/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Being diagnosed with cancer really opened my eyes to the fact anyone can have it and that even though we think we have control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/being-diagnosed-with-cancer-really-opened-my-eyes-to-the-fact-anyone/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [“If it makes you happy, then why are you so sad?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/if-it-makes-you-happy-then-why-are-you-so-sad/) [sheryl crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [I propose a limitation be put on how many sqares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-propose-a-limitation-be-put-on-how-many-sqares-of-toilet-paper-can/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Generally, when you let go of your vision of how something is supposed to be, the universe hands you exactly what you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/generally-when-you-let-go-of-your-vision-of-how-something-is-supposed/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Artists have really never had any representation on Capitol Hill, because it's not the nature of the artist to join together and make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/artists-have-really-never-had-any-representation-on-capitol-hill/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [ Once over there \[Balkans\], I felt extremely patriotic. Here are these people, from 18-year-olds to military veterans, enduring real duress for the cause of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/once-over-there-balkans-i-felt-extremely-patriotic-here-are-these/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Let's face it, life is a constant challenge. It's full of unexpected detours that no one but you can navigate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/let-s-face-it-life-is-a-constant-challenge-it-s-full-of-unexpected/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [When "news stories" are broken, do we not expect a certain amount of fact-checking or source-checking? One has to ask if this falls under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/when-news-stories-are-broken-do-we-not-expect-a-certain-amount-of/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) [Explore all 156 Sheryl Crow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) ## More American hero quotes > [“If there’s one genetic trait that automatically disqualifies a man from being able to rock, it’s curly hair. Nobody cool has curly hair; people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/if-there-s-one-genetic-trait-that-automatically-disqualifies-a-man/) [Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/) > [“AMERICAN HERO The man stepped right up, feet on top of a case of bottled beer. He placed his neck into a rope noose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-shields/american-hero-the-man-stepped-right-up-feet-on-top-of-a-case-of/) [Bill Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-shields/) > [“Come with me," he said quietly and extended his hand. "Nuh-uh." I shook my head, scooting in the opposite direction . "I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-saare/come-with-me-he-said-quietly-and-extended-his-hand-nuh-uh-i-shook-my/) [J.A. Saare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-saare/) > [Probably we'll think of Bush in years to come as an American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-franks/probably-we-ll-think-of-bush-in-years-to-come-as-an-american-hero/) [Tommy Franks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-franks/) > [Mack Bolan is a classic American hero. Readers like him and I feel very good about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-pendleton/mack-bolan-is-a-classic-american-hero-readers-like-him-and-i-feel/) [Don Pendleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-pendleton/) > [I think people feel threatened by homosexuality. The problem isn't about gay people, the problem is about the attitude towards gay people. People think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hollis-stacy/i-think-people-feel-threatened-by-homosexuality-the-problem-isn-t/) [Hollis Stacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hollis-stacy/) > [“Huzzah! Free Trade and Sailors' Rights! But instead American ships are captured and sailors impressed by the thousands into the British Navy, becoming slaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-j-hubinger/huzzah-free-trade-and-sailors-rights-but-instead-american-ships-are/) [Bert J. Hubinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-j-hubinger/) > [ I know Rick \[Monday\] has done a lot of good things as a player and as a person. But what he did for his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-mota/i-know-rick-monday-has-done-a-lot-of-good-things-as-a-player-and-as-a/) [Manny Mota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-mota/) > [Petraeus is the finest general I have ever worked for; Holly Petraeus is a great American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/petraeus-is-the-finest-general-i-have-ever-worked-for-holly-petraeus/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [A man I admire and respect - Congressman John Lewis, an American hero, made allegations that Sarah Palin and I were somehow associated with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/a-man-i-admire-and-respect-congressman-john-lewis-an-american-hero/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [The passing of my friend and a great American hero, Dan Inouye, is a major loss for the country and Hawaii. But the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mazie-hirono/the-passing-of-my-friend-and-a-great-american-hero-dan-inouye-is-a/) [Mazie Hirono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mazie-hirono/) > [Dr. Martin Luther King is not a black hero. He is an American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/dr-martin-luther-king-is-not-a-black-hero-he-is-an-american-hero/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [She was in a difficult position being the widow of a great American hero, a role that carried high expectations but she did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-dees/she-was-in-a-difficult-position-being-the-widow-of-a-great-american/) [Morris Dees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-dees/) > [FEARLESS is a vivid account of one man's journey from all-American boy to all-American hero. Blehm's writing takes you beyond the battlefield and right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/fearless-is-a-vivid-account-of-one-man-s-journey-from-all-american/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [Will Rogers was an American hero - someone you could get your teeth into and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-scott/will-rogers-was-an-american-hero-someone-you-could-get-your-teeth/) [Willard Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-scott/) [Browse all 48 American hero quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-hero/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Steve McQueen was from a time when you didn't know every little dirty thing about our public figures. 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