--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All disco singers are non-professionals…" description: "\"All disco singers are non-professionals who can't do live shows. It loses what black people have created.\" — Wilson Pickett" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/wilson-pickett-12822_black_all-disco-singers-are-non-professionals_1205065.jpg" --- # All disco singers are non-professionals who can't do live… ![“All disco singers are non-professionals who can't do live shows. It loses what black people have created.” quote by Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/wilson-pickett-12822_black_all-disco-singers-are-non-professionals_1205065.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/wilson-pickett-12822_black_all-disco-singers-are-non-professionals_1205065.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/wilson-pickett-12822_black_all-disco-singers-are-non-professionals_1205065.jpg) > “All disco singers are non-professionals who can't do live shows. It loses what black people have created.” [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote criticizes the commercialization of disco, suggesting that non-professional performers dilute the cultural contributions of Black artists. **In simple terms:** Disco's authenticity suffers when non-professionals dominate and erase Black creators' legacy. Key Takeaway Support and uplift authentic Black voices in music. Themes cultural appropriation authenticity music history racial equity Mood reflective critical Type analytical social commentary When to use this quote - music festivals - record label signings - community radio - educational curricula Key Concepts artistic integrity cultural heritage systemic bias Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure Black creators receive proper credit? - What steps can venues take to prioritize authentic talent? A Different Perspective The statement may overgeneralize and ignore professional Black disco artists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Disco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disco/) [Disco Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disco-singers-3629083/) [Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live/) [Non Professionals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-professionals-850520/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers/) [Singers Non](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers-non-3629084/) ## Related quotes > [There are no Soul singer Wilson Pickett singers in disco.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/there-are-no-soul-singer-wilson-pickett-singers-in-disco/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Even in the early '90s, I was already starting to mix professional actors with non-actors. I always enjoyed working with non-professionals, because their performances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsai-ming-liang/even-in-the-early-90s-i-was-already-starting-to-mix-professional/) [Tsai Ming-liang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsai-ming-liang/) > [gossip ... is only fiction produced by non-professionals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-canfield-fisher/gossip-is-only-fiction-produced-by-non-professionals/) [Dorothy Canfield Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-canfield-fisher/) > [With non-professionals, there's a lot of time you have to allocate to getting what you want with them, but also you cast based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-burnett/with-non-professionals-there-s-a-lot-of-time-you-have-to-allocate-to/) [Charles Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-burnett/) > [Lots of the cooking classes open to non-professionals are too low-level for experienced foodies, or don't offer enough hands-on training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homaro-cantu/lots-of-the-cooking-classes-open-to-non-professionals-are-too-low/) [Homaro Cantu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homaro-cantu/) > [If you get the disco or rap format on the radio, an R&B record doesn't fit, because it will break up the mood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/if-you-get-the-disco-or-rap-format-on-the-radio-an-r-b-record-doesn-t/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [People like me and Aretha Franklin and Joe Tex, we had predicted that inside of five years disco would be all over, that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/people-like-me-and-aretha-franklin-and-joe-tex-we-had-predicted-that/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [I don't do disco.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/i-don-t-do-disco/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Disco music can only take you so far because it's plastic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/disco-music-can-only-take-you-so-far-because-it-s-plastic/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [My father was a slave and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/my-father-was-a-slave-and-my-people-died-to-build-this-country-and-i/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [La Flavour's 'Mandolay' is a disco classic - I dare you to sit still while listening to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupaul/la-flavour-s-mandolay-is-a-disco-classic-i-dare-you-to-sit-still/) [RuPaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupaul/) > [Since I was gay and loved disco music, it was kinda pre-programmed that my first experiences with house music and acid - which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justus-kohncke/since-i-was-gay-and-loved-disco-music-it-was-kinda-pre-programmed/) [Justus Kohncke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justus-kohncke/) > [I spent thousands of thousands of hours playing the piano, and by thousands of hours, I mean playing in cover bands or wedding bands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-spent-thousands-of-thousands-of-hours-playing-the-piano-and-by/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I can't just turn over and sing disco or rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mavis-staples/i-can-t-just-turn-over-and-sing-disco-or-rock/) [Mavis Staples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mavis-staples/) > [I think music changed when Bruce Springstee came on the scene. I think if it wasn't for Bruce Springstee, music would have gone in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-baxter/i-think-music-changed-when-bruce-springstee-came-on-the-scene-i-think/) [Jeff Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-baxter/) ## More by Wilson Pickett > [I made two or three albums with money from my own pocket, but I couldn't get them released or played on the radio. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/i-made-two-or-three-albums-with-money-from-my-own-pocket-but-i-couldn/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [If I'm not getting played on the radio and I'm not making any money, I have nothing to lose by telling the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/if-i-m-not-getting-played-on-the-radio-and-i-m-not-making-any-money-i/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [There are no Soul singer Wilson Pickett singers in disco.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/there-are-no-soul-singer-wilson-pickett-singers-in-disco/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [We used to have a lot of fun. We got cheated out of a lot of money, but we seemed to enjoy ourselves anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/we-used-to-have-a-lot-of-fun-we-got-cheated-out-of-a-lot-of-money-but/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [One of the secretaries at Atlantic Records caught me pinching one of the other secretaries on the butt one morning. She said, 'My, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/one-of-the-secretaries-at-atlantic-records-caught-me-pinching-one-of/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Berry Gordy believed in owning the artist for life and controlling everything: the money, the station wagons, everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/berry-gordy-believed-in-owning-the-artist-for-life-and-controlling/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [I took five hit records to Memphis, and '634-5789' was stolen from me totally. Those songs are worth millions. I've never understood how someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/i-took-five-hit-records-to-memphis-and-634-5789-was-stolen-from-me/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Disco music can only take you so far because it's plastic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/disco-music-can-only-take-you-so-far-because-it-s-plastic/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Put your hands on your hip, let your back bone slip. Do the Watusi, like my little Lucy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/put-your-hands-on-your-hip-let-your-back-bone-slip-do-the-watusi-like/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Anytime you've got artists singing songs, doing grooves that they don't want to do, it's terrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/anytime-you-ve-got-artists-singing-songs-doing-grooves-that-they-don/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [The baddest woman in my book... my mother. I get scared of her now. She used to hit me with anything, skillets, stove wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/the-baddest-woman-in-my-book-my-mother-i-get-scared-of-her-now-she/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [I'd start to sing, and the record would start skipping. You'd be skipping along with it. Those were the days, my friend. We'd look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/i-d-start-to-sing-and-the-record-would-start-skipping-you-d-be/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Detroit, my lord, what a place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/detroit-my-lord-what-a-place/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [Singing like I do is very hard, and as you get older, it's getting harder and harder all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/singing-like-i-do-is-very-hard-and-as-you-get-older-it-s-getting/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) > [You can talk about all the great guitarists you want Jimi Hendrix or whoever but as far as I'm concerned, Duane Allman is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-pickett/you-can-talk-about-all-the-great-guitarists-you-want-jimi-hendrix-or/) [Wilson Pickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) [Explore all 53 Wilson Pickett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-pickett/) ## More Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) [Frank B. Wilderson III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-b-wilderson-iii/) > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If soot stains your tunic, dye it black. This is vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/if-soot-stains-your-tunic-dye-it-black-this-is-vengeance/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) [Browse all 11,655 Black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All disco singers are non-professionals who can't do live shows. 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