---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know, there's times when you should…"
description: "\"You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.\" — Steve Vai"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg"
---

#  You know, there's times when you should play and there's…

![“You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.” quote by Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg)

> “You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.”

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Sometimes you should play freely, other times you must restrain yourself to maintain musical balance.

**In simple terms:** Know when to play and when to hold back.

Key Takeaway

Balance expression with restraint.

Themes

discipline creativity balance

Mood

thoughtful energetic

Type

musical motivational

When to use this quote

- live performance
- practice sessions
- creative brainstorming

Key Concepts

musical dynamics self-control artistic timing

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you held back and why?
- How do you decide the right moment to improvise?

A Different Perspective

Over‑restraint can stifle innovation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [There is time to play and then there are times to work hard and get my fans an album.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/there-is-time-to-play-and-then-there-are-times-to-work-hard-and-get/)

[Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/)

> [I try and play 2 or 3 times a week to stay on my game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-page/i-try-and-play-2-or-3-times-a-week-to-stay-on-my-game/)

[Tim Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-page/)

> [It is pleasant at times to play the madman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-pleasant-at-times-to-play-the-madman/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> [If you go out eight times and play tennis eight times this week, yeah, it's the same rules, but it's a different game every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/if-you-go-out-eight-times-and-play-tennis-eight-times-this-week-yeah/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [It happens in football, sometimes you can face trying times or sometimes you can play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelechi-iheanacho/it-happens-in-football-sometimes-you-can-face-trying-times-or/)

[Kelechi Iheanacho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelechi-iheanacho/)

> [You have to do a lot of planning, certainly in football. We watch the opposition three or four times before we play them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/you-have-to-do-a-lot-of-planning-certainly-in-football-we-watch-the/)

[Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/)

> [There's times when one play makes the whole difference, one calls makes the whole difference. And tonight it was that call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-santana/there-s-times-when-one-play-makes-the-whole-difference-one-calls/)

[Johan Santana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-santana/)

> [How many times do you get to play in Portland in front of how many thousands of people? That's the kind of environment we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlyn-harris/how-many-times-do-you-get-to-play-in-portland-in-front-of-how-many/)

[Ashlyn Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlyn-harris/)

> [There are times when you do a play when you are living in the character over a two-and-a-half-hour period or longer, and you come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/there-are-times-when-you-do-a-play-when-you-are-living-in-the/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [It's tough at times to not play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmer-fredette/it-s-tough-at-times-to-not-play/)

[Jimmer Fredette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmer-fredette/)

> [Long periods can pass between the times you play for a championship, so you have to savor those moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/long-periods-can-pass-between-the-times-you-play-for-a-championship/)

[Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/)

> [Gotta hold on, gotta stay strong. When the day comes better believe Bone got a shoulder you can lean on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bone-thugs-n-harmony/gotta-hold-on-gotta-stay-strong-when-the-day-comes-better-believe/)

[Bone Thugs N Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bone-thugs-n-harmony/)

> [Send her my way, she ain't gotta hold up. Whenever you call baby I roll up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/send-her-my-way-she-ain-t-gotta-hold-up-whenever-you-call-baby-i-roll/)

[Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/)

> [Send her my way,she ain't gotta hold up.Whenevr ya call bby I roll up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/send-her-my-way-she-ain-t-gotta-hold-up-whenevr-ya-call-bby-i-roll-up/)

[Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/)

> [I love hip-hop, because you can do this like that and still be super successful! You ain't gotta hold your tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busta-rhymes/i-love-hip-hop-because-you-can-do-this-like-that-and-still-be-super-2/)

[Busta Rhymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busta-rhymes/)

## More by Steve Vai

> [I designed a guitar for Ibanez and then they started manufacturing it - it's called the Jem - it's 26 years old and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-designed-a-guitar-for-ibanez-and-then-they-started-manufacturing-it/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [You can never deny the immense talent, rock credibility and iconic historical contribution that Van Halen made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/you-can-never-deny-the-immense-talent-rock-credibility-and-iconic/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [I can tell you this: I'm an extremely passionate individual. I try to be careful how I display it because you never know how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-can-tell-you-this-i-m-an-extremely-passionate-individual-i-try-to/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [I don't believe in 'greatest'. I believe in favorites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-don-t-believe-in-greatest-i-believe-in-favorites/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [Along with its enchanting and exquisite melodies, West Side Story has attitude and a tremendous amount of frenetic energy. It's emotional, theatrical and technical.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/along-with-its-enchanting-and-exquisite-melodies-west-side-story-has/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [I have a deep love for life and my fellow human beings. I try to understand everything that everybody does, even if it seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-have-a-deep-love-for-life-and-my-fellow-human-beings-i-try-to/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [I've never really heard anybody imitating anything of mine the way they do with Edward Van Halen's stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-ve-never-really-heard-anybody-imitating-anything-of-mine-the-way/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [The only thing that's holding you back, is the way you're thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/the-only-thing-that-s-holding-you-back-is-the-way-you-re-thinking/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [My main calling in life is to seek and achieve spiritual balance, and to express that through my instrument. Everything else is here today,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/my-main-calling-in-life-is-to-seek-and-achieve-spiritual-balance-and/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [There's very notable dynamics in all of the collaborations I've done. It's hard to say if one is more important than the other, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/there-s-very-notable-dynamics-in-all-of-the-collaborations-i-ve-done/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [I awake, I meditate, get the kids off to school, go to the gym, go to the Favored Nations office, and usually at around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-awake-i-meditate-get-the-kids-off-to-school-go-to-the-gym-go-to-the/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [I think every artist subconsciously wants to evolve themselves. Sometimes they get stuck in ruts because of pop culture, peer pressure, stuff like that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-think-every-artist-subconsciously-wants-to-evolve-themselves/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [Baby don't wake me, let me take you on an endless journey. We touch and the softest kiss explodes with lust. It's real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/baby-don-t-wake-me-let-me-take-you-on-an-endless-journey-we-touch-and/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [We have the insight and the tools to identify and bring to fruition the dormant talent that our artists possess. Favored Nations will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/we-have-the-insight-and-the-tools-to-identify-and-bring-to-fruition/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

> [That's the thing about great artists: They find the thing that's most obvious to themselves, what's most conscious and natural, and they put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/that-s-the-thing-about-great-artists-they-find-the-thing-that-s-most/)

[Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

[Explore all 92 Steve Vai quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/)

## More Football quotes

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/)

[Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/)

> [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/)

Brendan Mundorf

> [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/)

[Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/)

> [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/)

[Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/)

> [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/)

[Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/)

[Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/)

> [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/)

[Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/)

> [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/)

[Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/)

> [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/)

[Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/)

> [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/)

[Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/)

> [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/)

[Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/)

> [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/)

[Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/)

> [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/)

[Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/)

[Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steve Vai"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-play-and-there-s-times-when/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Football"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-play-and-there-s-times-when/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/steve-vai-7290_play_you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-p_1560359.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.” — Steve Vai",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Steve Vai",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "You know, there's times when you...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-play-and-there-s-times-when/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/you-know-there-s-times-when-you-should-play-and-there-s-times-when/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
