--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started out, I was what they…" description: "\"When I started out, I was what they called corny. After a week in Nashville they were calling me hillbilly.\" — Vera Lynn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efa/vera-lynn-5643_calling_when-i-started-out-i-was-what-they-calle_1356833.jpg" --- # When I started out, I was what they called corny. After a… ![“When I started out, I was what they called corny. After a week in Nashville they were calling me hillbilly.” quote by Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efa/vera-lynn-5643_calling_when-i-started-out-i-was-what-they-calle_1356833.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efa/vera-lynn-5643_calling_when-i-started-out-i-was-what-they-calle_1356833.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efa/vera-lynn-5643_calling_when-i-started-out-i-was-what-they-calle_1356833.jpg) > “When I started out, I was what they called corny. After a week in Nashville they were calling me hillbilly.” [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initially labeled as corny, the speaker was later called hillbilly, highlighting how perceptions shift with context. **In simple terms:** Labels changed from corny to hillbilly. Key Takeaway Stay true despite changing opinions. Themes identity perception culture Mood defiant reflective Type cultural personal When to use this quote - music career - public image - media coverage Key Concepts branding regional stereotypes Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to shifting labels? - Can you redefine the narrative? A Different Perspective Labels can pigeonhole and limit growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Corny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-corny-276184/) [Calling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling/) [Calling Hillbilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling-hillbilly-4631756/) [Corny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corny/) [Corny Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corny-week-4631757/) [Hillbilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hillbilly/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Nashville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nashville/) [Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) ## Related quotes > [“I just called you corny and said you were wearing a green dress. That's, like, the least flirtatious thing anyone's ever said." "I'm willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-lazebnik/i-just-called-you-corny-and-said-you-were-wearing-a-green-dress-that/) [Claire LaZebnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-lazebnik/) > [There is an element of truth in every idea that lasts long enough to be called corny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-berlin/there-is-an-element-of-truth-in-every-idea-that-lasts-long-enough-to/) [Irving Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-berlin/) > [ I was always drawn to the roots music, bluegrass, blues, early rock - Sun Records, Elvis \[Presley\]. And I still love that music to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-young/i-was-always-drawn-to-the-roots-music-bluegrass-blues-early-rock-sun/) [Steve Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-young/) > [In the mid-1970s, I even decided to make my own country album. I put the idea to my record company, thinking we'd just go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/in-the-mid-1970s-i-even-decided-to-make-my-own-country-album-i-put/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [My grandma would say if someone else calls you a hillbilly, you might need to punch them in the nose. But if we call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance-2/my-grandma-would-say-if-someone-else-calls-you-a-hillbilly-you-might/) [J. D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance-2/) > [We all got a hillbilly bone down deep inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-shelton/we-all-got-a-hillbilly-bone-down-deep-inside/) [Blake Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-shelton/) > [It doesn't bother me to be called a 'hillbilly' because I lived in the hills. I grew up in the hills and the mountains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-jean-swearengin/it-doesn-t-bother-me-to-be-called-a-hillbilly-because-i-lived-in-the/) [Paula Jean Swearengin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-jean-swearengin/) > [“The hillbilly princess would probably show him the ropes with her man hands.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caisey-quinn/the-hillbilly-princess-would-probably-show-him-the-ropes-with-her-man/) [Caisey Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caisey-quinn/) > [The music played most around St. Louis was country-western and swing. Curiosity provoked me to lay a lot of the country stuff on our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-berry/the-music-played-most-around-st-louis-was-country-western-and-swing/) [Chuck Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-berry/) > [“Grits Glossary hillbilly \\’hil-,bi-lē\\ n: a derogatory term that refers to people living in the next county or town; alternate forms include redneck, cracker,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/grits-glossary-hillbilly-hil-bi-l-n-a-derogatory-term-that-refers-to/) [Deborah Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) > [Remember this, folks - I am a Hillbilly, and I don't always Bet the same way I talk. Good advice is one thing, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/remember-this-folks-i-am-a-hillbilly-and-i-don-t-always-bet-the-same/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [In 1965, when great young white artists in the English-speaking world were successfully re-channeling hillbilly and black music - you know Bob Dylan, Ray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/in-1965-when-great-young-white-artists-in-the-english-speaking-world/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [There was a misconception about me when I started off because I had my hair greased up and I have some vague resemblance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/there-was-a-misconception-about-me-when-i-started-off-because-i-had/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [I'm a simple hillbilly. I don't like eating modern, industrialized, fast food. I grew up eating home-cooked food. So when I'm traveling abroad, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-hirata/i-m-a-simple-hillbilly-i-don-t-like-eating-modern-industrialized-fast/) [Andrea Hirata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-hirata/) > [I stay close to my roots and my family. I never want to forget any part of it. I'm still just a hillbilly at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-stay-close-to-my-roots-and-my-family-i-never-want-to-forget-any/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) ## More by Vera Lynn > [It is so important that British children are taught about the World Wars that their great grandparents fought in and lived through. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/it-is-so-important-that-british-children-are-taught-about-the-world/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I am exceptionally fond of all the brave servicemen and women who have worked, and continue to work, to keep us safe and secure,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-am-exceptionally-fond-of-all-the-brave-servicemen-and-women-who/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [You never know what's going to happen en route to the airport or station and the last thing you want is to get there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/you-never-know-what-s-going-to-happen-en-route-to-the-airport-or/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I have always managed to combine my family life and my career, but there came a point when I had to choose between a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-have-always-managed-to-combine-my-family-life-and-my-career-but/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I've liked country music for as long as I can remember, especially the songs of Dolly Parton. Her lyrics are similar to mine: simple,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-ve-liked-country-music-for-as-long-as-i-can-remember-especially-the/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [So many go into the business just to be famous, not because they are passionate about their craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/so-many-go-into-the-business-just-to-be-famous-not-because-they-are/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [Seeing photographs of my dad, Bert, on the beach with a knotted handkerchief on his head to avoid getting sunburn still brings a smile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/seeing-photographs-of-my-dad-bert-on-the-beach-with-a-knotted/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I did an audition for Henry Hall, a well-known dance man at the BBC, when I was about 15. I have lost the letter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-did-an-audition-for-henry-hall-a-well-known-dance-man-at-the-bbc/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [The journey to Burma is etched in my brain, full of all sorts of intense memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/the-journey-to-burma-is-etched-in-my-brain-full-of-all-sorts-of/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [Ordinary British people don't on the whole find it easy to express their feelings, even to those closest to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/ordinary-british-people-don-t-on-the-whole-find-it-easy-to-express/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [Perhaps it is no surprise I became an entertainer because many of my relatives were natural performers. Dad, who had a fine pair of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/perhaps-it-is-no-surprise-i-became-an-entertainer-because-many-of-my/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I try not to worry too much about anything any more, and enjoy every day as it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-try-not-to-worry-too-much-about-anything-any-more-and-enjoy-every/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [Remember to stand tall and tuck your tummy in - very important as you get older!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/remember-to-stand-tall-and-tuck-your-tummy-in-very-important-as-you/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [I didn't have any more children because I couldn't have continued working - and I was the main breadwinner. But although we are small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/i-didn-t-have-any-more-children-because-i-couldn-t-have-continued/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [The white cliffs of Dover are a significant landmark and it is so encouraging to know that they will now be protected for future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/the-white-cliffs-of-dover-are-a-significant-landmark-and-it-is-so/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) [Explore all 100 Vera Lynn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) ## More Calling quotes > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church, the hope of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/god-is-not-calling-us-to-go-to-church-he-is-calling-us-to-be-his/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [“Duty is a done deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/duty-is-a-done-deal/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [NBC is making a movie about Martha Stewart that will cover the recent stock scandal. They are thinking of calling it 'The Road To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/nbc-is-making-a-movie-about-martha-stewart-that-will-cover-the-recent/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [“There is no interaction without God with interaction with men”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/there-is-no-interaction-without-god-with-interaction-with-men/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [When I was a little boy, I was reading Dante and I was saying to myself 'Bravo, Dante, Bravo.' It's so beautiful, the music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-benigni/when-i-was-a-little-boy-i-was-reading-dante-and-i-was-saying-to/) [Roberto Benigni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-benigni/) > [ I don't see \[ Trainspotting \] as an albatross, I see it more as a calling card. It's got me out to Hollywood, I've… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/i-don-t-see-trainspotting-as-an-albatross-i-see-it-more-as-a-calling/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [After I finished college, I got a job on Wall Street as a derivatives trader, but after a couple years of it, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/after-i-finished-college-i-got-a-job-on-wall-street-as-a-derivatives/) [Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/) > [\*Calling someone I don't want to answer\* \*Please go to voice mail. Please go to voice mail. Please go to voice mail..\* Hello? -\_\_\_-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/calling-someone-i-don-t-want-to-answer-please-go-to-voice-mail-please/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Sometimes you hear a voice through the door calling you... This turning toward what you deeply love saves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/sometimes-you-hear-a-voice-through-the-door-calling-you-this-turning/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Please be slow to judge ‘brothers’ who have a different calling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-foreman/please-be-slow-to-judge-brothers-who-have-a-different-calling/) [Jon Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-foreman/) [Browse all 3,811 Calling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started out, I was what they called corny. 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