--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Ray Charles is concentrating he's…" description: "\"When Ray Charles is concentrating he's like a piece of granite, nothing twitches, nothing, ... He sat for 25 minutes solid like that, like a stone, and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/taylor-hackford-17500_concentrating_when-ray-charles-is-concentrating-he-s-l_2733966.jpg" --- # When Ray Charles is concentrating he's like a piece of… ![“When Ray Charles is concentrating he's like a piece of granite, nothing twitches, nothing, ... He sat for 25 minutes solid like that, like a stone, and I thought, 'Oh my God, if he doesn't like it I'm dead.' ... And then finally, after 25 minutes he started to talk back to the screen. I heard him…” quote by Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/taylor-hackford-17500_concentrating_when-ray-charles-is-concentrating-he-s-l_2733966.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/taylor-hackford-17500_concentrating_when-ray-charles-is-concentrating-he-s-l_2733966.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/taylor-hackford-17500_concentrating_when-ray-charles-is-concentrating-he-s-l_2733966.jpg) > “When Ray Charles is concentrating he's like a piece of granite, nothing twitches, nothing, ... He sat for 25 minutes solid like that, like a stone, and I thought, 'Oh my God, if he doesn't like it I'm dead.' ... And then finally, after 25 minutes he started to talk back to the screen. I heard him say 'That's right. That's the truth.' .” [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense focus can feel immovable, yet it may mask vulnerability and fear of failure. **In simple terms:** Deep focus can hide fear. Key Takeaway Balance focus with openness. Themes focus performance vulnerability creativity pressure Mood intense thoughtful Type observation inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - musical performance - creative work - high‑stakes tasks Key Concepts mindfulness self‑compassion artistic expression psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does focus become a barrier? - How to stay present under pressure? A Different Perspective Over‑focus can lead to rigidity and missed cues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [25 Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/25-minutes-568191/) [Charles Concentrating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charles-concentrating-2976031/) [Concentrating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentrating/) [Concentrating Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentrating-like-776878/) [Granite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/granite/) [Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heard/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minutes/) [Oh my god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh-my-god/) [Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pieces/) [Ray charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ray-charles/) [Rays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rays/) [Sat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sat/) [Screens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screens/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) ## Related quotes > [“I can see her weighing her response, concentrating like a cliff diver studying the ebb and flow of the tide. "Um, well... could you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-logsted/i-can-see-her-weighing-her-response-concentrating-like-a-cliff-diver/) [Greg Logsted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-logsted/) > [Well I don't think I've scored my life exclusively to Ray Charles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/well-i-don-t-think-i-ve-scored-my-life-exclusively-to-ray-charles/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [Ray Charles, in his own way, it's like at the beginning, Ray Charles changed American music, not once but twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/ray-charles-in-his-own-way-it-s-like-at-the-beginning-ray-charles/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [I don't like the idea of fighting for 25 minutes. Let's just be real here: It's like, you hear Derrick Lewis talking about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-holland/i-don-t-like-the-idea-of-fighting-for-25-minutes-let-s-just-be-real/) [Kevin Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-holland/) > [Me going out 25 minutes early onto the training ground to practise wasn't me being teacher's pet. That is what I have done throughout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-neville/me-going-out-25-minutes-early-onto-the-training-ground-to-practise/) [Phil Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-neville/) > [I sort of fall apart in terms of stamina after about 25 minutes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-lineker/i-sort-of-fall-apart-in-terms-of-stamina-after-about-25-minutes/) [Gary Lineker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-lineker/) > [If I do a song with a chorus and a verse, it takes me about 25 minutes. If I do a song with two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nle-choppa/if-i-do-a-song-with-a-chorus-and-a-verse-it-takes-me-about-25-minutes/) [NLE Choppa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nle-choppa/) > [The champs are the guys who can do it the best, to lock it in for 25 minutes and do what they plan to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/the-champs-are-the-guys-who-can-do-it-the-best-to-lock-it-in-for-25/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [When people are sat quietly for 20-25 minutes per frame, they should be allowed to let their hair down at the end of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/when-people-are-sat-quietly-for-20-25-minutes-per-frame-they-should/) [Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/) > [When I can, I do 25 minutes of calisthenics every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-scott/when-i-can-i-do-25-minutes-of-calisthenics-every-day/) [Willard Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-scott/) > [We've been duped into believing we don't have 25 minutes to have something change our life. We don't have 2. You know, we're tweeting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buffalo-mailer/we-ve-been-duped-into-believing-we-don-t-have-25-minutes-to-have/) [John Buffalo Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buffalo-mailer/) > [I think that television has become really, really interesting, in terms of character development. You can have 13 hours to develop a character, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/i-think-that-television-has-become-really-really-interesting-in-terms/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [I can do anything for 25 minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-can-do-anything-for-25-minutes/) [Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/) > [I can fight 25 minutes. I can fight an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-strickland/i-can-fight-25-minutes-i-can-fight-an-hour/) [Sean Strickland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-strickland/) > [ What I love about \[TV\] is this: It's a specific thing to be able to tell a satisfying, rewarding story in less than 25… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-baruchel/what-i-love-about-tv-is-this-it-s-a-specific-thing-to-be-able-to-tell/) [Jay Baruchel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-baruchel/) ## More by Taylor Hackford > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [It's very clearly stated in the film: You make your own choices, and what you're always fighting is ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/it-s-very-clearly-stated-in-the-film-you-make-your-own-choices-and/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [This devil loves mankind because men are going to always make the choice that will send him into ascendancy. He's been winning the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/this-devil-loves-mankind-because-men-are-going-to-always-make-the/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [Look at Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster: It's an incredible performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/look-at-walter-huston-in-the-devil-and-daniel-webster-it-s-an/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [Because when you have millions of people with this kind of need for gratification, and the culture is saying that it's possible for everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/because-when-you-have-millions-of-people-with-this-kind-of-need-for/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [I also know what looks good before the camera, how to move the camera, and how to get a story on the screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/i-also-know-what-looks-good-before-the-camera-how-to-move-the-camera/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [It's much easier to work with an unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/it-s-much-easier-to-work-with-an-unknown/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [When I finish a film, I put it away and I never look at it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/when-i-finish-a-film-i-put-it-away-and-i-never-look-at-it-again/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [Music has always been an important thing to me in my life and understand I've worked in the music business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/music-has-always-been-an-important-thing-to-me-in-my-life-and/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [But, unfortunately, sometimes that affirmation creates a sense that you deserve special treatment and recognition in areas where you're not so talented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/but-unfortunately-sometimes-that-affirmation-creates-a-sense-that-you/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [But the process of making a film is not glamorous. Certainly not my films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/but-the-process-of-making-a-film-is-not-glamorous-certainly-not-my/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [It was the era of Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson; they all had a certain look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/it-was-the-era-of-tab-hunter-and-rock-hudson-they-all-had-a-certain/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [I feel very comfortable shooting music, and I think you can see that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/i-feel-very-comfortable-shooting-music-and-i-think-you-can-see-that/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [I make films about working class people. All my films have always been about that. For example, the brothel is a workplace. It's aberrant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/i-make-films-about-working-class-people-all-my-films-have-always-been/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [My creative partner is a writer, and he's got an executive producing credit on this film. We've made three films together and I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/my-creative-partner-is-a-writer-and-he-s-got-an-executive-producing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Explore all 37 Taylor Hackford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) ## More Concentrating quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [If you are thinking about mistakes during games then you are not concentrating on what is important which is the next shot or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-given/if-you-are-thinking-about-mistakes-during-games-then-you-are-not/) [Shay Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-given/) > [Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases...When you focus on the things you need, you'll find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/remember-whatever-you-focus-upon-increases-when-you-focus-on-the/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [Living simply means concentrating on what's important in light of eternity. And not taking the rest of life too seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-chapman/living-simply-means-concentrating-on-what-s-important-in-light-of/) [Annie Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-chapman/) > [But there is no danger of my not concentrating on cricket. I'm comfortable on the pitch, and that will never change. I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-flintoff/but-there-is-no-danger-of-my-not-concentrating-on-cricket-i-m/) [Andrew Flintoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-flintoff/) > [Until I saw my drawings replayed on the iPad, I'd never seen myself draw. Someone watching me would be concentrating on the exact moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hockney/until-i-saw-my-drawings-replayed-on-the-ipad-i-d-never-seen-myself/) [David Hockney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hockney/) > [My secret for writing is going back to clarity. I'm very clear about what I want to accomplish-the goal-and then the next two are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/my-secret-for-writing-is-going-back-to-clarity-i-m-very-clear-about/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I'm concentrating on staying healthy, having peace, being happy, remembering what is important, taking in nature and animals, spending time reading, trying to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/i-m-concentrating-on-staying-healthy-having-peace-being-happy/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed under the sun? The generalizing and concentrating all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/what-has-destroyed-liberty-and-the-rights-of-man-in-every-government/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Through concentration we become one-pointed and through meditation we expand our consciousness into the Vast. But in contemplation we grow into the Vast itself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/through-concentration-we-become-one-pointed-and-through-meditation-we/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [During meditation, if we can concentrate all our attention on one point, and put all problems in front of it, then they can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ching-hai/during-meditation-if-we-can-concentrate-all-our-attention-on-one/) [Ching Hai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ching-hai/) > [I'm not good at concentrating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-m-not-good-at-concentrating/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [All seasoned players know, or at least have felt, that when you are playing your best, you are much the same as in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-penick/all-seasoned-players-know-or-at-least-have-felt-that-when-you-are/) [Harvey Penick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-penick/) > [I'm really just concentrating on making good music, whether it's using a sample or doing an original track.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahki/i-m-really-just-concentrating-on-making-good-music-whether-it-s-using/) [Rahki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahki/) > [I have to do my work as party leader and that's what I'm concentrating on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer/i-have-to-do-my-work-as-party-leader-and-that-s-what-i-m/) [Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer/) [Browse all 274 Concentrating quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentrating/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When Ray Charles is concentrating he's like a piece of granite, nothing twitches, nothing, ... 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