Kinky Friedman Quotes

Powerful Kinky Friedman for Daily Growth

About Kinky Friedman

Kinky Friedman (born Richard Samet Friedman on July 4, 1944) is an American singer-songwriter, humorist, novelist, politician, and former columnist for Texas Monthly magazine. He is best known for his witty and irreverent country music songs that often feature humor, social commentary, and elements of Texan culture. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Friedman grew up in the wealthy suburb of Glencoe. He attended private schools before moving to New York City to pursue a career as a songwriter. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and Willie Nelson, he developed his unique style that blended country music with humor, satire, and social commentary. His musical career took off in the 1970s when he released his debut album, "The Gay Place," which became a cult classic due to its humorous take on Texas life. His subsequent albums, including "Assuming the Position" and "Sold American," continued to garner critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. In addition to his music, Friedman is also an accomplished author. He has written several novels, including "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore" and "The Great Big Funny & Influencial Talking Songbook of Kinky Friedman," which showcase his wit and storytelling ability. In 2014, Friedman ran as an independent for Governor of Texas, gaining national attention for his unconventional campaign style and platform that included legalizing marijuana and finding Bigfoot. While he did not win the election, his candidacy solidified his status as a cultural icon in Texas. Today, Kinky Friedman continues to tour, write, and engage in political activism. He remains a beloved figure in the world of country music and Texas culture, known for his sharp wit, social commentary, and distinctive voice.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If God had intended us to be happy every day of our lives, He wouldn't have invented wine."

This quote suggests that life without challenges or difficult moments would be monotonous and devoid of joy. Life's complexities and the pleasures like wine serve as a means to find happiness and variety in an otherwise ordinary existence. It implies that hardships and struggles, when overcome, can lead to moments of true joy and contentment.


"There ain't no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary."

This quote suggests that negative publicity, although undesirable, can potentially benefit an individual or entity by increasing their visibility and awareness in the public eye. The exception to this rule is one's own obituary, which marks the end of public life and attention. In essence, it means that while bad publicity may not be ideal, it's often preferable to no publicity at all, as it keeps the subject relevant and in people's consciousness.


"We can't change the past, but we can ruin the future by not learning from it."

This quote emphasizes the importance of learning from past experiences to avoid repeating mistakes or oversights in the future. It suggests that while we cannot alter historical events, our understanding and application of those lessons can shape the trajectory of our future actions, decisions, and ultimately, outcomes. In essence, ignoring the wisdom gained from past events may lead to undesirable consequences and hinder progress.


"I was a songwriter before I was a politician and I have never met a song title I didn't like."

This quote by Kinky Friedman suggests that his passion for writing songs preceded his political career, and he has always found appeal in diverse song titles – perhaps indicating his affinity for creativity, versatility, and an eclectic taste in various subjects or themes.


"If life gives you lemons, make margaritas. If it gives you cactus, move."

This quote implies a pragmatic approach to dealing with life's challenges. When faced with difficulties or obstacles (lemons and cactus), instead of passively accepting them, one should turn them into something enjoyable (make margaritas) or find a way to avoid them (move). It suggests resilience, creativity, and adaptability in the face of adversity.


These days, there are many people around the world who listen to the songs that made me infamous and read the books that made me respectable.

- Kinky Friedman

Infamous, Made, Read, Respectable

William Bennett is my patron saint, one of them. Redd Foxx is another.

- Kinky Friedman

Another, Saint, William, Patron

The Democrats and Republicans are the same guy admiring themself in the mirror.

- Kinky Friedman

Mirror, Same, Admiring

The only currency I value is the coin of the spirit. That's very important in my life.

- Kinky Friedman

My Life, Important, Very, Currency

I have a better head of hair than Rick Perry; it's just not in a place I can show you.

- Kinky Friedman

Better, I Can, Show, Rick

I don't apologize to people who try to intimidate.

- Kinky Friedman

People, Try, Apologize, Intimidate

I never apologize for the truth. And the truth here is that racists come in many different colors.

- Kinky Friedman

Truth, Never, Here, Apologize

Well, I just said that Jesus and I were both Jewish and that neither of us ever had a job, we never had a home, we never married and we traveled around the countryside irritating people.

- Kinky Friedman

Jewish, Countryside, Had, Traveled

Students don't know who Mark Twain was because he wasn't on the test.

- Kinky Friedman

Know, Students, Test, Twain

Yes, I'm a Judeo-Christian. Jesus and Moses are in my heart, and... both of them were independents, by the way.

- Kinky Friedman

Yes, Them, Moses, Independents

If Willie Nelson had been Rosa Parks, there never would have been a civil rights movement in this country, because he refuses to leave the back of the bus.

- Kinky Friedman

Bus, Country, Been, Nelson

I'm too young for Medicare and too old for women to care.

- Kinky Friedman

Young, Old, Too, Medicare

How can you look at the Texas legislature and still believe in intelligent design?

- Kinky Friedman

Design, How, Still, Legislature

I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us.

- Kinky Friedman

Marriage, Rest, Miserable, Gay Marriage

You struggle with your demons and you conquer them.

- Kinky Friedman

Conquer, Them, Your, Demons

We've got to clear some of the room out of the prisons so we can put the bad guys in there, like the pedophiles and the politicians.

- Kinky Friedman

Bad, Some, Like, Prisons

I admit I was drinking a Guinness... but I did not swallow.

- Kinky Friedman

Admit, Drinking, Swallow, Guinness

No, nothing has changed in my life at all, and nothing would change if I had millions.

- Kinky Friedman

My Life, Nothing, Would, Changed

Remember: Y'all is singular. All y'all is plural. All y'all's is plural possessive.

- Kinky Friedman

Remember, Singular, Possessive

I'll sign anything except bad legislation.

- Kinky Friedman

Bad, Sign, Except, Legislation

When I'm governor... I'll be the first governor with a listed telephone number.

- Kinky Friedman

Number, Telephone, Listed, Telephone Number

I don't apologize to people with an agenda.

- Kinky Friedman

People, Agenda, Apologize

Young people are the key to this election.

- Kinky Friedman

Election, Young People, Key

I even went so far as to become a Southern Baptist for a while, until I realized that they didn't hold 'em under long enough.

- Kinky Friedman

Enough, Realized, Southern, Southern Baptist

May the God of your choice bless and keep you. I respect Him as long as He does not circumcise me anymore.

- Kinky Friedman

Anymore, May, Your, Bless

You have to pretend that your life is a financial pleasure even when your autographs are bouncing.

- Kinky Friedman

Famous, Life Is A, Even, Bouncing

We're first on executions. We're 49th in funding public education. We're in a race with Mississippi for the bottom, and we're winning.

- Kinky Friedman

Public Education, Funding, Mississippi

The folks in Mississippi are saying, 'Thank God for Texas.'

- Kinky Friedman

Thank God, Thank, Folks, Mississippi

I just want Texas to be number one in something other than executions, toll roads and property taxes.

- Kinky Friedman

Roads, Want, Other, Toll

I'll keep us out of war with Oklahoma!

- Kinky Friedman

War, Us, Keep, Oklahoma

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.