John Grant Quotes

Powerful John Grant for Daily Growth

About John Grant

John Grant (born John Weldon McManus, October 28, 1953) is a celebrated British-American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who has made significant contributions to the music industry with his unique blend of pop, rock, and electronic genres. Born in Michigan, USA, Grant moved to England at an early age, where he was exposed to a diverse range of musical influences that would shape his future work. Growing up in the vibrant music scene of 1970s Manchester, he played in various bands before embarking on a solo career under different aliases such as J.D. (John) and Nite Flights. In the late 1980s, Grant formed the band The Associates, achieving commercial success with hits like "Party Fears Two" and "Baby I Love You." However, personal struggles led to the band's disbandment in the early 1990s. After a period of relative silence, Grant resurfaced in 2008 with the release of his critically acclaimed album "Queen of Denmark," marking the beginning of a new phase in his career. His subsequent works, including "The Reminder" (2010), "Pale Green Ghosts" (2013), and "Love & Hate" (2015), have solidified his position as a respected and influential artist. Grant's music is known for its introspective lyrics, exploration of sexuality, and use of technology. His openness about his personal life and experiences has resonated with many fans, earning him a devoted following and critical acclaim. In addition to his solo work, Grant has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Sia, and Tracey Thorn. He continues to push boundaries and challenge expectations with his innovative music and unapologetic approach to artistry.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Change is the only constant in life."

The quote "Change is the only constant in life" by John Grant underscores the universality of transformation throughout our lives. It suggests that everything, from personal growth to societal evolution, is inherently dynamic, and one should expect and embrace this natural state of flux. This perspective encourages adaptability, resilience, and openness to new experiences, acknowledging the continuous journey we are all on as individuals and as a collective.


"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

This quote encourages authenticity and self-expression. It suggests that one should not be afraid to show their true selves and express their genuine feelings, as the opinions of those who judge negatively do not hold much value or significance. On the other hand, those who appreciate and care for us will understand, accept, and support our individuality, making it less important to worry about their potential disapproval. Essentially, the message is that being true to oneself is more important than seeking approval from those who may not truly value or understand us.


"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions."

This quote emphasizes that happiness is not a passive state of being, but an active one. It suggests that instead of waiting for happiness to happen, we should create it ourselves through our own actions. In essence, the individual has the power to cultivate their own joy by taking positive and fulfilling steps in life.


"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

This quote by John Grant emphasizes that passion and enthusiasm are essential for achieving greatness in any endeavor. To produce outstanding work, one must have a deep-seated love or appreciation for the task at hand. This sentiment suggests that pursuing tasks with genuine interest and excitement will lead to higher quality outcomes, as well as increased job satisfaction and fulfillment.


"Learn as much as you can while you are young, since little else in life important except the stories we tell ourselves about our past."

This quote by John Grant emphasizes the significance of acquiring knowledge during one's youth. He suggests that education and personal growth should be prioritized early in life because they lay the foundation for the narratives we construct about our lives. These stories, or our understanding and interpretation of past experiences, are crucial as they shape our identities, decisions, and future actions. Thus, learning as much as possible while young equips us with the tools to live a more meaningful and purposeful life.


When I came out, I found I hadn't been born with the right genes. It's quite brutal. If you're beautiful and you have the right genes, then the gay scene is a place where you can be worshipped. But if you don't, it's a different ball of wax.

- John Grant

Out, Been, Scene, Worshipped

Do you know the solo at the end of 'Why Don't You Love Me Any More?' that sounds like a chainsaw breaking through? That is what I can't do with my voice. That's when you hear how painful this has been to me.

- John Grant

Love, Voice, Through, Chainsaw

I'm not saying that I don't have skills. I'm saying I don't feel like I can use my skills to achieve self-esteem. I feel like it's cheating. I think that I should have self-esteem simply because I am a human being who deserves love and deserves everything just as much or just as little as everyone else.

- John Grant

Love, Self-Esteem, I Think, Cheating

When I reached my senior year in high school, I fell into a hole that took a couple of decades to get out of.

- John Grant

Senior Year, Couple, Took, Senior

The most horrifying thing I ever did was work as a steward on an airplane. I wanted to get hired by United. I thought, 'With my languages, this will be amazing; I will work in First Class.' But I could only get a job with an airline going from Newark, New Jersey to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

- John Grant

Thought, United, Newark, Steward

I know I'm likeable, but living with me is different. Yes, I can be charming. That desire to please people and learning what to do to charm their socks off is something many of us do. But you get into a relationship, and the party's over at some point. They see the real you.

- John Grant

Learning, Some, Point, Likeable

I had never considered myself a political guy, but there are certain things I can't shut up about. When I hear people say things like, 'If 'we' allow gays to marry, then people will want to marry animals and children,' I can't just stand there.

- John Grant

Shut, Allow, Gays, Hear People

Being in school, whenever I laughed or smiled, I would turn to find someone staring at me with this terrible hatred and disgust. I had to control everything - control my voice, control my facial expressions, control my hair and my clothes, and where I walked and where I sat - at every moment. I think that drove me to terrible anxiety.

- John Grant

Voice, I Think, Had, Expressions

I loved the whole New Romantic, New Wave thing... New Order, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Blancmange, Yazoo.

- John Grant

New, Whole, Cell, Depeche

I spend a lot of my time just looking at words and grammar and writing things down that I don't know.

- John Grant

Words, Down, Lot, Just Looking

People have always painted me like a pessimist, like somebody who sees the glass half-empty. But I think the fact that I keep showing up and saying, 'No, there must be a way for me to live in this world,' that shows I'm an eternal optimist.

- John Grant

Fact, I Think, Painted, Showing Up

I think the humor, when applied in the right amount, only serves to intensify the other emotions in a given song; it highlights them, makes them stand out.

- John Grant

Song, Think, Given, Highlights

I'm quite gregarious. But when it comes to relationships, I mean, I'm no good at it. I suck at it. And people say I'm way too hard on myself, but I always feel like somebody else is going to say it if I don't. Why not just beat them to the punch so it doesn't hurt so much?

- John Grant

Good, Why, Feel, Why Not

The rejection I received when I was young for being a homosexual... that's nothing compared to the number you do on yourself when you've been taught that you are not a human like other people.

- John Grant

Young, Other, Been, Homosexual

The snappier lyrics come when I'm feeling really good and up. A lot of times, they come after I've just had a meeting with somebody that was uplifting, and you get home, and you're feeling playful or upbeat or whatever, and then they just seem to pop right out.

- John Grant

Good, Seem, Had, Uplifting

When I was young, people were so disgusted by me. Before I even knew that I was gay... everybody else had it figured out and, you know, they were letting you know.

- John Grant

Young, Everybody, Before, Disgusted

There's an incredible amount of pain involved in being a human, but this humorous stuff is essential in overcoming it.

- John Grant

Pain, Amount, Involved, Humorous

I come from a position where it seems like I have an addictive quality to everything in my life.

- John Grant

My Life, Like, Come, Addictive

I just feel like this guy who's visiting the music business over the weekend. Every time I write a song, I feel like it's never going to happen again.

- John Grant

Weekend, I Write, Visiting, Every Time

The lead character in 'Adaptation' is pretty much me but with more talent. Every time I watch 'Adaptation,' I feel very emotional because it makes me be kinder to myself and see the human situation a little more clearly.

- John Grant

Feel, Adaptation, Very, Every Time

I've kept most of my friends for decades, and I continue to make new friends.

- John Grant

New, Continue, Most, Decades

I still deal with triggers and neuroses that I've developed over the decades. But I do think I have a great amount of compassion for people who feel that they don't fit in, or people who feel they have trouble finding their place in this world.

- John Grant

Think, Over, Still, Decades

In order to not have to deal with being gay in the world, you have to control everything. You try and walk in an un-gay way so as not to be found out. You try to control every situation, check the people around you, that you're not in the wrong place, and that can be exhausting. It goes on for decades, and it becomes mental sickness.

- John Grant

Sickness, Mental, Deal, Decades

I do feel I have a hard time dealing with things being OK.

- John Grant

Feel, Dealing, Things, OK

In my family, I was loved, but only if I would fight this gay thing and not let it take over me. I would be loved unconditionally if I could be cured of my 'sickness,' but it certainly would not be OK if I couldn't.

- John Grant

Over, Could, Certainly, OK

I can only live in the world of truth, inasmuch as I'm able to be truthful with myself at any given point, on any given day.

- John Grant

Myself, Given, Any, Truthful

You can only be you, and there are plenty of people out there who wouldn't have you be any other way.

- John Grant

Other, Only, Plenty, Any Other Way

I love a lot of different styles, but my heart belongs in electronic music.

- John Grant

Love, Different Styles, Lot, Electronic Music

If 'Queen Of Denmark' was about my childhood, then 'Pale Green Ghosts' is definitely about my adolescence, and that period was completely dominated by electronic music.

- John Grant

Childhood, Green, Period, Electronic Music

My music is definitely very personal. The songs are about moments, snapshots of everyday life, and about having one's say, or at least feeling like one has had one's say.

- John Grant

Like, Very, Having, Everyday

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