Neko Case Quotes

Powerful Neko Case for Daily Growth

About Neko Case

Neko Case, born Rachel Magdalene Joanne Geneviève Alice Angeline Casey on September 8, 1970, in Alexandria, Virginia, is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and musician, renowned for her powerful voice, poetic lyrics, and eclectic style that blends elements of country, rock, and alternative music. Raised in the Midwest, Case's musical journey began at a young age when she discovered her love for punk rock and DIY ethos. She moved to Chicago in the early 1990s where she co-founded the band Maow, before joining The New Pornographers in 1997, a Canadian indie pop group with whom she still collaborates. Case's solo career took flight in 1997 with her debut album, "Vikings." However, it was her subsequent albums, such as "Furnace" (2002), "The Tigers Have Spoken" (2006), and "Middle Cyclone" (2009), that truly showcased her unique storytelling abilities. These albums were critically acclaimed for their blend of country, folk, and rock, with themes ranging from love and loss to nature and the supernatural. Case's music is deeply influenced by her experiences growing up in rural America, as well as her fascination with mythology, literature, and the natural world. Her lyrics often reflect a sense of longing, melancholy, and resilience, capturing the essence of human emotions in a way that resonates with many listeners. Today, Neko Case continues to push boundaries with her music, proving herself to be one of the most versatile and compelling voices in contemporary music. Her latest album, "Hell-On," released in 2018, is a testament to her enduring talent and commitment to crafting thought-provoking, emotionally charged songs that touch hearts and inspire listeners worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'd rather be a lioness than a mouse-queen."

The quote by Neko Case emphasizes personal strength, independence, and self-worth over conformity or status. She prefers to be a fierce, autonomous lioness instead of a passive, powerless mouse-queen, suggesting she values courage, individuality, and power more than leadership that requires compromise.


"I don't know what's in the water, but I want to drink it."

This quote by Neko Case suggests a desire for immersion into an environment or influence that seems particularly inspiring or appealing, yet undefined or unknown. It metaphorically represents a longing to connect with something mysterious or enigmatic, capturing the essence of curiosity and exploration.


"We have a choice between nostalgia for yesterday and hope for tomorrow."

The quote signifies a fundamental decision we all face in life – whether to dwell on past memories (nostalgia) or strive towards future possibilities (hope). It encourages us to choose progress over reminiscing, embodying the spirit of moving forward while maintaining respect for our history.


"But there are some things you can't give back, not even for love."

This quote suggests that there are certain actions, moments, or feelings in life which, once given or lost, cannot be restored or retrieved, even if motivated by strong emotions like love. These irreplaceable aspects could range from personal experiences, trust, time spent together, or feelings of intimacy. They carry profound value and leave lasting impacts, making them irretrievable in the face of life's natural changes and evolutions.


"And I don't care if it takes all night, I'm gonna find out what's real and what's fake."

This quote implies a strong desire for truth and authenticity in one's life or experiences. The speaker is prepared to persevere through challenges (as suggested by "it takes all night") to discern what is genuine ("what's real") from what is deceitful or false ("what's fake"). Essentially, they are embarking on a journey of self-discovery and truth-seeking.


I think I've kind of been mistaken for somebody who's trying to be a spokesperson for animal rights, and the fact is I'm not qualified to be a spokesperson. I am passionate about it, but I'm not trying to make other people do what I do.

- Neko Case

Think, Other, Been, Qualified

I would be a huge hypocrite if I didn't tell you that at one time in my life I thought the way that you made music was you got on a major label and you got famous.

- Neko Case

My Life, Famous, Major Label, Label

I try not to be overly literal. When I'm writing songs, I write down a lot of words, and then I try to simplify it. I like to give people hints or words that make visual pictures for them.

- Neko Case

Give, Like, I Write, Overly

I really wanted to find a piano for the farm house. There were so many free pianos on Craigslist, I thought, 'Let's get as many free pianos as we can and stick them all in the barn.' I got eight in a short period of time, only six of which were tunable, but it's still quite funny.

- Neko Case

Thought, House, Short Period, Barn

I don't know anybody who doesn't hate being called alt.country. It just sounds like a website. I don't mind being called Americana, I don't mind being called country noir, or independent country is fine, but the words alt.country make me insane.

- Neko Case

Mind, Website, Country, Noir

I know that I can sing really loud. It's like having that really big Evinrude engine on the back of your fishing boat. But I've been trying to be more dynamic with my voice, and not just singing on 10 all of the time out of terror.

- Neko Case

Voice, Big, Been, Boat

Everybody in my band is married, pretty much, and have lives at home, and I don't want them to be away from their families so long that they just start to feel psychotic. You have to go home and stand around in your bathrobe doing your dishes to feel like a normal person sometimes.

- Neko Case

Doing, Away, Everybody, Psychotic

There's just kind of a sweetness about Canadians. Americans are a little more pushy, I mean, in a way that I enjoy - they're basically pushy because of their enthusiasm - we're a lot clumsier than other people.

- Neko Case

Enjoy, Other, About, Canadians

I just want to make stories. They don't have to have a moral or a reason. There might be some mild cautionary notes, but they're not moral. They don't impart any Judeo-Christian ethic of any kind.

- Neko Case

Reason, Some, Stories, Cautionary

I want to get away from the social vampires in Tucson. The people who have no lives of their own and meet me and know who I am and feel entitled to say negative things. I have good friends here, especially in the bands. But a lot of it is just like high school.

- Neko Case

Here, Away, Entitled, Good Friends

If I could ever be on a Missy Elliott record, I could then die. Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige - I love hearing them interviewed, I love the way they talk about their art. They're very self-assured, they're funny, they're inviting. I love it.

- Neko Case

Love, Die, Very, Hearing

I don't feel nervous or fearful when I'm on stage.

- Neko Case

Feel, Stage, Nervous, Fearful

I think my songwriting might be a little more on the darker side maybe.

- Neko Case

Think, I Think, Side, Darker

I just really dig feeling subservient to nature. It brings me a peace and calm. Kind of like a Faustian thing, I think.

- Neko Case

Think, Dig, I Think, Subservient

I have this typical Ukrainian face. Even people who know my music don't recognize me most of the time, thank God.

- Neko Case

People, Recognize, Ukrainian, Typical

I have a real dog-like mentality, in that it's like, 'Where is my next meal coming from? Am I ever gonna eat again? Will I ever write another song again? Will anyone show up for tour?' I think it comes from being really poor as a kid.

- Neko Case

Next, I Think, Another, Tour

The Bible tries to make humans not animals the whole time. I think it's a bit of a mistake.

- Neko Case

Mistake, Think, Tries, Humans

I tried to have more than one emotion on the record.

- Neko Case

Emotion, More, Tried, I Tried

Country music is completely punk-rock. It's the original punk-rock.

- Neko Case

Music, Country, Original, Country Music

I didn't want to be the girl who posed in 'Playboy' and then - by the way - made some music.

- Neko Case

Music, Some, Made, Playboy

I grew up with lots of animals and I related more to them than I did to people. I feel a lot of empathy for them.

- Neko Case

Empathy, More, Feel, Related

I should have been an abortion. The only reason I wasn't was that my father was a Christian.

- Neko Case

Christian, Reason, Been, Abortion

You can't just play the same thing, over and over again.

- Neko Case

Play, Over, Same, Same Thing

All I want to do is sing on other people's records.

- Neko Case

Want, Sing, Other, Records

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