Jane Wiedlin Quotes

Powerful Jane Wiedlin for Daily Growth

About Jane Wiedlin

Jane Wiedlin (born October 11, 1958) is an American musician, actress, and songwriter best known as a co-founder of the new wave band The Go-Go's. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Wiedlin moved to Los Angeles with her family at a young age. It was there that she met Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, and Kathy Valentine, who would later form The Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female bands in history. Wiedlin was heavily influenced by punk rock, new wave, and the burgeoning California music scene of the late 1970s. She played a significant role in shaping The Go-Go's sound, both as a guitarist and primary songwriter. Their debut album, Beauty and the Beat (1981), produced hits like "We Got the Beat" and "Vacation," which became anthems of the era. Wiedlin's songwriting style is characterized by her ability to blend catchy melodies with insightful lyrics that often touch on feminist themes, relationships, and personal growth. Her songs are known for their clever wordplay and memorable hooks. Apart from her work with The Go-Go's, Wiedlin has also pursued a solo career, releasing albums such as Frenzy (1986) and Girl Crazy! (1990). In addition to music, Wiedlin has ventured into acting, appearing in films like 'Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years' (1988) and the TV series 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' (1986–1990). She continues to perform with The Go-Go's and has been involved in various charitable causes, including animal rights and environmental issues. Wiedlin's impact on music, feminism, and pop culture is undeniable, making her a significant figure in the history of American music.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Be yourself. It's enough."

This quote by Jane Wiedlin encourages individuality and self-acceptance. It suggests that one need not conform to societal expectations or strive for someone else's ideal in order to be worthy or successful. Instead, simply being oneself - with all unique qualities, flaws, and talents - is sufficient. This message promotes confidence, self-love, and the empowerment of embracing authenticity.


"To be an artist, you have to believe in magic."

This quote emphasizes that artistic creativity arises from a profound belief in the transformative power of ideas and imagination – the "magic" of art. It suggests that artists must maintain an optimistic and open-minded perspective, viewing their work as more than just a physical manifestation; rather, they see it as a means to evoke emotions, inspire thoughts, and create meaningful experiences for others. In essence, Jane Wiedlin's quote highlights the importance of faith in the enchanting potential of art as a universal language.


"I am a rock, I am an island." (This quote is not original to Jane Wiedlin but was popularized by The Go-Go's cover of Elvis Presley's song.)

The quote "I am a rock, I am an island" expresses feelings of isolation, self-reliance, and emotional detachment. It implies that the speaker feels disconnected from others and prefers to maintain this solitude, likening themselves to a rock or an island, entities that are solid, self-contained, and independent in nature. This quote can be seen as a metaphor for emotional independence or aloofness, suggesting that one has built strong personal boundaries to shield oneself from the outside world.


"When I was a child, my mother said to me, 'If you become a singer, you won't have a chance in the world.' And I said to her, 'Mother, you're wrong. I will be a rock star.'"

This quote by Jane Wiedlin expresses the spirit of resilience, determination, and self-belief. Despite being discouraged by her mother, Wiedlin maintained a strong conviction in her aspirations to become a singer, defying expectations to ultimately achieve her goal as a rock star. The quote underscores the idea that even when faced with naysayers or adversity, one should not allow external opinions to deter them from pursuing their dreams and striving for success.


"We go through different stages in life and music is like that too. You start out doing covers and then you create your own stuff."

This quote by Jane Wiedlin suggests that our personal growth mirrors the evolution of an artist's musical journey. Initially, we often mimic or learn from others (doing covers), which can be seen as emulating societal norms or learning from those who have come before us in life. Over time, as we grow and develop our unique perspectives and experiences (creating our own stuff), we begin to express ourselves independently, demonstrating individuality and authenticity, much like an artist creating original music. Essentially, Wiedlin's quote encourages self-discovery and growth through personal expression, whether in art or life.


I was a very romantic, overly dramatic young lady, which served me well as a songwriter. Especially as someone who had to focus on lyrics and melody, because if you're a dramatic and romantic person, lyrics come easy, and you turn every single short-term relationship into the biggest 'Romeo-and-Juliet' story ever.

- Jane Wiedlin

Focus, Young, Very, Overly

Believe me, I've totally blown any kind of so-called reputation I may have had. I really don't care. I think that's one of the joys of getting older; you just stop caring about things like that.

- Jane Wiedlin

Reputation, I Think, About, Joys

I made the big turnaround in the early Nineties when I started hearing all the tenth generation punk bands like Green Day and Offspring and all those people. It just made me fall in love with punk again and remember my roots, and since that time I've always wanted to do more of that kind of music again.

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, Big, Offspring, Nineties

I love being a Go-Go. It definitely has its ups and downs, and we have a very intense energy with each other.

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, Other, Very, Ups

I love that there are beaches you can walk your dog on in San Francisco. Fort Funston is big and always packed with hundreds of dogs and their people. A great place to hike and get some exercise and fresh air with your well-mannered pup. Not recommended for antisocial dogs; there's just too much commotion there.

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, Big, Francisco, Hike

A lot of comic conventions go way beyond comic books and include other parts of pop culture, like celebrities and science fiction and movies and books. So I go to them either as a celebrity, or as a fan, because I'm a big sci-fi geek.

- Jane Wiedlin

Celebrity, Big, Comic Books, Conventions

I didn't read many comics as a kid - I've always been a really fast reader, and I would fly through a comic book in a few minutes and be so mad that it ended so quickly. But now that I've been in the business, I tend to look at the panels so much more carefully, and realize that so much of it is about the art; I don't think I got that before.

- Jane Wiedlin

Through, Been, Before, Comic Book

I grew up listening to pop; I grew up listening to '60s pop music, the Beatles, the Monkees, Herman's Hermits and all that stuff. So I had a very strong background of listening to great pop music.

- Jane Wiedlin

Strong, Listening, Very, Monkees

I used to think when I was in the Go-Go's that we were as wild as any of the boy bands.

- Jane Wiedlin

Think, Used, Were, Go-Go

The Go-Go's were like my first babies.

- Jane Wiedlin

Like, Were, Babies, Go-Go

If I was in charge, I'd keep doing The Go-Go's forever, but it's a band, so everyone has their say.

- Jane Wiedlin

Doing, Everyone, Charge, Go-Go

The whole punk scene is, of course, responsible for the Go-Go's ever getting created. Because before punk rock happened, you couldn't start a band if you didn't know how to play an instrument. But when punk happened it was like, 'Oh, it doesn't matter if you can play or not. Go ahead, make a band.' And that's exactly what the Go-Go's did.

- Jane Wiedlin

Play, Ahead, Before, Go-Go

I don't think you would want to see all five Go-Go's naked - I think we would be scary.

- Jane Wiedlin

Think, Want, I Think, Go-Go

What I've found - and the older I get, the more I understand this and stand behind it - is, my whole life has been an exploration of telling the truth. It's scary to be truthful, and it's scary to reveal yourself, and I'm very attracted to doing things that scare me.

- Jane Wiedlin

Behind, Very, Telling, Truthful

I did the co-writing thing all through the '90s and I got one hit out of it - a Keith Urban song called 'But For The Grace Of God' - but then I got burnt out.

- Jane Wiedlin

Song, Through, Then, Burnt

It's one thing to be twenty and touring the world, but doing it in your forties, you wake up with aches and pains.

- Jane Wiedlin

Doing, One Thing, Touring, Twenty

I personally know women who are Breast Cancer survivors and will do all I can to support the cause. Besides, I love boobies!

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, Will, Cause, Besides

I'm not really calculated enough or trained enough as a musician or songwriter to create a style in order to please people. Ultimately, I just have to do what I like to do.

- Jane Wiedlin

Like, Please, Trained, Songwriter

I try to make everything I write a little bit different. Those songs that go, 'I love you so much and you love me,' they're boring. If I'm going to write a love song, it's going to be a little bit tortuous.

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, I Love You, I Write, Tortuous

I find acting slightly nerve racking, but I like the challenge.

- Jane Wiedlin

Find, Like, Slightly, Nerve

If I believed in Hell, I'd definitely be going there.

- Jane Wiedlin

Hell, Going, Definitely, Believed

People have always told me a lot that I remind them of Joyce DeWitt.

- Jane Wiedlin

Me, Always, Lot, Remind

It's too heart-wrenching doing the solo thing. I throw myself into it and get so excited, and then 2000 people buy it and you're, like, 'Oh. I guess it's not that good after all.'

- Jane Wiedlin

Doing, Excited, Like, Solo

Sometimes I would write something that was so private, people would say, 'Make it more universal.' I never liked that idea. I always thought the more personal a song was, the more people would want to hear it.

- Jane Wiedlin

Song, Always, Private, Universal

It's just better to promote love and fairness and equality than it is to promote something you think is based on your religious beliefs.

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, Equality, Fairness, Promote

The whole idea that someone should not be able to marry who they love based on their gender and their preference is ridiculous.

- Jane Wiedlin

Love, Gender, Based, Preference

Sometimes when you get old, you get a star on Hollywood Boulevard.

- Jane Wiedlin

Star, Old, Hollywood, Boulevard

I've always gravitated towards songwriting that happens easily and spontaneously, because those have always been my best songs.

- Jane Wiedlin

Songwriting, Always, Been, Spontaneously

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