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Frank Zappa

101 quotes

“On a personal level, Freaking Out is a process whereby an individual casts off outmoded and restricting standards of thinking, dress, and social etiquette in order to express creatively his relationship to his immediate environment and the social structure as a whole.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1966 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Liner notes for the album Freak Out! (27 June 1966).
“If your children ever find out how lame you really are, they’ll murder you in your sleep.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1965 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To tourists at the Whisky-a-Go-Go, Los Angeles CA, December 1965
“Drop out of school before your mind rots from exposure to our mediocre educational system. Forget about the Senior Prom and go to the library and educate yourself if you've got any guts. Some of you like Pep rallies and plastic robots who tell you what to read. Forget I mentioned it. This song has no message. Rise for the flag salute.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1966 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Liner notes for the album Freak Out! (27 June 1966).
“The things that were happening in 1955 were cosmic … in terms of music history.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview (5 March 1969), broadcast on Pop Chronicles, Show 14 - Big Rock Candy Mountain: Phil Spector & Frank Zappa review the '50s
“Scientology, how about that? You hold on to the tin cans and then this guy asks you a bunch of questions, and if you pay enough money you get to join the master race. How's that for a religion?”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Concert address to audience at the Rockpile, Toronto (May 1969).
“I consider that the building materials are exactly the same as what anybody else makes the thing out of. It's just the way they look at those materials is perhaps a narrower perspective. Time and those waves are at the disposal of anyone who wants to use them.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in No Commercial Potential : The Saga of Frank Zappa (1972) by David Walley, p. 3.
“Classical musicians go to the conservatories, rock´n roll musicians go to the garages.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview at Swedish Radio, programme Nightflite (circus 1980)
“I think it's really tragic when people get serious about stuff. It's such an absurdity to take anything really seriously … I make an honest attempt not to take anything seriously: I worked that attitude out about the time I was eighteen, I mean, what does it all mean when you get right down to it, what's the story here? Being alive is so weird.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in No Commercial Potential : The Saga of Frank Zappa (1972) by David Walley, p. 4.
“I think that if a person doesn't feel cynical then they're out of phase with the 20th century. Being cynical is the only way to deal with modern civilization — you can't just swallow it whole.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Dub Room Special (1982).
“Being interviewed is one of the most abnormal things that you can do to somebody else. It's two steps removed from the Inquisition.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on Channel 4 (June 1, 1983) - YouTube video
“I don't give a fuck if they remember me at all.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on Nationwide (7 January 1983) - YouTube video
“Every socialistic type of government… produces bad art, produces social inertia, produces really unhappy people, and it's more repressive than any other kind of government.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview, "My Afternoon with Frank Zappa", Larry Rogak, (New York writer and attorney) Zappa.com (May 8, 1980)
“I'm probably more famous for sitting on the toilet than for anything else that I do.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on Nationwide (January 7, 1983).
“I'll tell you what classical music is, for those of you who don't know. Classical music is this music that was written by a bunch of dead people a long time ago. And it's formula music, the same as top forty music is formula music. In order to have a piece be classical, it has to conform to academic standards that were the current norms of that day and age … I think that people are entitled to be amused, and entertained. If they see deviations from this classical norm, it's probably good for their mental health.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cocaine Decisions (1983)
“Their stupidity does not amaze me, its when they're smart that amazes me. It's baffling whenever you find someone who's smart — incredible. Soon you'll have zoos for such things.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: When asked what amazes him about people, in an interview with Grace Slick on Rockplace (11 February 1984) - YouTube video
“A wise man once said, "never discuss philosophy or politics in a disco environment.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Grace Slick on Rockplace (11 February 1984).
“When God created Republicans, he gave up on everything else.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appearance on Thicke of the Night (28 April 1984).
“I like to watch the news, because I don't like people very much and when you watch the news... if you ever had an idea that people were really terrible, you could watch the news and know that you're right.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appearance on Thicke of the Night (28 April 1984).
“The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on London Plus (24 September 1984) - YouTube video
“I have four children, and I want them to grow up in a country that has a working First Amendment.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1985 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appearance on CBS Morning News (18 September 1985) - YouTube video
“The most important thing to do in your life is to not interfere with somebody else's life.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In response to Joe Walsh on The Howard Stern Show (1987).
“The first thing you have to do if you want to raise nice kids, is you have to talk to them like they are people instead of talking to them like they're property.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appearance on The Howard Stern Show (1987).
“Let's not be too rough on our own ignorance; it's what makes America great!”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1988 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A appearance on The Tonight Show (29 June 1988)
“The essence of Christianity is told to us in the Garden of Eden history. The fruit that was forbidden was on the Tree of Knowledge. The subtext is, All the suffering you have is because you wanted to find out what was going on. You could be in the Garden of Eden if you had just kept your fucking mouth shut and hadn't asked any questions.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview in Playboy (2 May 1993).
“The more boring a child is, the more the parents, when showing off the child, receive adulation for being good parents — because they have a tame child-creature in their house.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ben Watson interviews Frank Zappa", in MOJO magazine (October 1993).
“Rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, in order to provide articles for people who can't read.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ben Watson interviews Frank Zappa", in MOJO magazine (October 1993).
“Take the Kama Sutra. How many people died from the Kama Sutra, as opposed to the Bible? Who wins?”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Late Night Special BBC (1993); the American version this documentary was presented on A&E Biography.
“Tobacco is my favorite vegetable.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on the Today Show NBC (1993).
“My solos are speech-influenced rhythmically; and harmonically, they're either pentatonic, or poly-scale oriented. And there's the mixolydian mode that I also use a lot...But I'm more interested in melodic things I think the biggest challenge when you go to play a solo is trying to invent a melody on the spot.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in The Guitar Handbook (2002) by Ralph Denyer, p. 102
“To me, absurdity is the only reality.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted a review of This door is too small (for a bear) (2010)
“Well I think that progress is not possible without deviation. And I think that it's important that people be aware of some of the creative ways in which some of their fellow men are deviating from the norm, because in some instances they might find these deviations inspiring and might suggest further deviations which might cause progress, you never know.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Frank Zappa, a VPRO documentary, directed by Roelof Kiers, Aired February 11, 1971; transcript, video
“So many books, so little time.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So I'm watchin' and I'm waitin' Hopin' for the best Even think I'll go to prayin' Every time I hear 'em sayin' That there's no way to delay That trouble comin' every day No way to delay That trouble comin' every day”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hey, you know something people? I'm not black, But there's a whole lots a times I wish I could say I'm not white.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And it's the same across the nation Black and white discrimination Yellin' "You can't understand me!" 'N all that other jazz they hand me In the papers and TV and All that mass stupidity That seems to grow more every day Each time you hear some nitwit say He wants to go and do you in Because the color of your skin Just don't appeal to him (No matter if it's black or white) Because he's out for blood tonight.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I may be vile and pernicious But you can't look away I make you think I'm delicious With the stuff that I say I'm the best you can get Have you guessed me yet? I'm the slime oozin' out From your TV set.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Watch out where the huskies go, and don't you eat that yellow snow.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Frank Zappa: I would say the illusion [of freedom] will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move all the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You're an asshole! You're an asshole! That's right! You're an asshole! You're an asshole! Yes yes!”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best…”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You know, people are basically shitty. It’s when they prove it over and over again that it gets obnoxious.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We live in a very special time right now. At no other time in history has there been such mass disillusionment in terms of reliance on governing functions. Most people don’t want to come to terms with that. It’s been proven over and over again that the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes, but most people don’t like to look at naked emperors. In the process of turning around to avert their eyes, they saw the discotheques and a few other things and latched onto them.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There’s no reason to assume that my idea of what‘s better would really be better. I resent it when other people try to inflict their ideas of betterness on me. I don’t think they know. And I can’t see any authority on the horizon that’s got any answers that seem worthwhile. Most of the things that are suggested are probably detrimental to your mental health.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Certification from one source or another seems to be the most important thing to people all over the world. A piece of paper from a school that says you’re smart, a pat on the head from your parents that says you’re good or some reinforcement from your peers that makes you think what you’re doing is worthwhile. People are just waiting around to get certified.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If a person wants to write music and lyrics, he has a perfect right to express his views on a certain subject. I would feel wrong if I were to express anything that I didn’t believe in. I write what I like to write. Those who like to listen to it, listen to it. And the ones who don’t, watch football and drink beer, jog, go to discos and so forth. I never claimed to be a man for all seasons.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Just because somebody hears something you say, or reads something that you write, doesn’t mean you’ve reached them. With reading comprehension being what it is in the U. S., you can safely toss that one out the window. If you want to judge by the listening habits of people who buy records, the first thing they do is put it on and talk over it.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So much gets lost in the translation. Even if you sat there listening to it with a microscope, there’s no way you’re gonna find out what it means.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People have preposterous ideas about what those songs are about and what the music means. They start spouting all this shit that’s so far off the mark, it’s revolting. But if that’s how they derive pleasure, who am I to deprive them of it? Let ’em enjoy it. It’s there for their edification. But total comprehension is out of the question.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source