--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were playing popular music, but we…" description: "\"We were playing popular music, but we were doing our own arrangements because we were too lazy to sit down and figure out the originals\" — Tommy Shaw" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd7/tommy-shaw-16595_arrangements_we-were-playing-popular-music-but-we-wer_293125.png" --- # We were playing popular music, but we were doing our own… ![“We were playing popular music, but we were doing our own arrangements because we were too lazy to sit down and figure out the originals” quote by Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd7/tommy-shaw-16595_arrangements_we-were-playing-popular-music-but-we-wer_293125.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd7/tommy-shaw-16595_arrangements_we-were-playing-popular-music-but-we-wer_293125.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd7/tommy-shaw-16595_arrangements_we-were-playing-popular-music-but-we-wer_293125.png) > “We were playing popular music, but we were doing our own arrangements because we were too lazy to sit down and figure out the originals” [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We performed popular songs but used our own lazy arrangements instead of learning the originals. **In simple terms:** We made easy, lazy versions of popular music. Key Takeaway Embrace effort to create original arrangements. Themes creativity music effort Mood critical reflective Type musical advisory When to use this quote - band rehearsals - songwriting - live performances - recording sessions Key Concepts artistic laziness originality Questions to Reflect On - Why choose convenience over authenticity? - What benefits come from learning originals? A Different Perspective Laziness can hinder artistic growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrangements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrangements/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Popular music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popular-music/) ## Related quotes > [I work like a dog when I have to, but when I'm not working, I get terribly lazy and could sit around all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-cunningham/i-work-like-a-dog-when-i-have-to-but-when-i-m-not-working-i-get/) [Liam Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-cunningham/) > [“It may be lazy to sit on the couch all day. 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I felt that I could write a decent song,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-renck/i-wish-i-was-really-talented-in-music-because-then-i-would-be-doing/) [Johan Renck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-renck/) ## More by Tommy Shaw > [I love the idea of stepping out of the band situation into a solo world with no boundaries, no expectations, where nothing is out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/i-love-the-idea-of-stepping-out-of-the-band-situation-into-a-solo/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [When you sign with a label, they do insist upon certain rights, and if you have a competent attorney, your rights will be protected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/when-you-sign-with-a-label-they-do-insist-upon-certain-rights-and-if/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [I soon gave up instruction for self-teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/i-soon-gave-up-instruction-for-self-teaching/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [I'm not the kind of guy who deserves to play a vintage guitar because I'm too rough on instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/i-m-not-the-kind-of-guy-who-deserves-to-play-a-vintage-guitar-because/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [Songwriting is the other weight on the opposite side of the scale from touring. They balance me out creatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/songwriting-is-the-other-weight-on-the-opposite-side-of-the-scale/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [When it stops being fun, stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/when-it-stops-being-fun-stop/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [There were some older guitarists on my side of town, and I got to know many of them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/there-were-some-older-guitarists-on-my-side-of-town-and-i-got-to-know/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [If music became extinct now, I dont know what Id be good for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/if-music-became-extinct-now-i-dont-know-what-id-be-good-for/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [Make sure you know what you are signing when you sign a recording contract.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/make-sure-you-know-what-you-are-signing-when-you-sign-a-recording/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [I have always been a sucker for the big, upbeat chorus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/i-have-always-been-a-sucker-for-the-big-upbeat-chorus/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [When I became 16 I started thinking seriously about singing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/when-i-became-16-i-started-thinking-seriously-about-singing/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [You can have fun, but you also have to put on your thinking cap every day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/you-can-have-fun-but-you-also-have-to-put-on-your-thinking-cap-every/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [If music became extinct now, I don't know what I'd be good for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-shaw/if-music-became-extinct-now-i-don-t-know-what-i-d-be-good-for/) [Tommy Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-shaw/) > [Once you start thinking about it in a mercenary frame of mind, then you're finished. 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With our intention, we can change the energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/abundance-like-everything-else-in-the-universe-is-simply-a-specific/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [One of the proven ways of getting workers more involved with their jobs is by dovetailing employee profit-sharing and stock ownership plans with greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-k-javits/one-of-the-proven-ways-of-getting-workers-more-involved-with-their/) [Jacob K. 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