Frank Zappa Quotes

A collection of quotes by Frank Zappa.

Frank Zappa was an American musician, composer, and filmmaker who rose to prominence in the late 1960s and became an influential figure in rock music. Born on December 21, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, Zappa exhibited musical talent from an early age and began composing and recording music in his late teens.

In 1964, Zappa formed the musical group, the Mothers of Invention, and released their debut album, "Freak Out!" The band's unconventional and satirical approach to rock music challenged traditional norms and established Zappa as a countercultural icon. Over the course of his career, he released numerous albums, known for their eclectic styles and witty lyricism.

Zappa's compositions ranged from rock to jazz, classical, and avant-garde music, showcasing his exceptional versatility and technical prowess. He constantly pushed the boundaries of musical genres and experimented with innovative recording techniques.

Beyond music, Zappa was also active in political and social issues. He advocated for freedom of speech and against censorship, often speaking out against the music industry and societal norms. His unique style and outspokenness made him a polarizing figure, but he garnered a dedicated following of fans who appreciated his musical ingenuity.

Frank Zappa passed away on December 4, 1993, leaving behind a rich musical legacy. His contributions to rock and experimental music continue to inspire generations of musicians, and his iconoclastic spirit remains influential to this day.

If you end up with a boring miserable life because you liste

If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on television telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it.

Most people wouldn't know music if it came up and bit them o

Most people wouldn't know music if it came up and bit them on the ass.

Beauty is a pair of shoes that makes you wanna die.

Beauty is a pair of shoes that makes you wanna die.

No change in musical style will survive unless it is accompa

No change in musical style will survive unless it is accompanied by a change in clothing style. Rock is to dress up to.

Do we really want to know how Michael Jackson makes his musi

Do we really want to know how Michael Jackson makes his music? No. We want to understand why he needs the bones of the Elephant Man -- and, until he tells us, it doesn't make too much difference whether or not he really is bad.

The manner in which Americans consume music has a lot to do

The manner in which Americans consume music has a lot to do with leaving it on their coffee tables, or using it as wallpaper for their lifestyles, like the score of a movie --it's consumed that way without any regard for how and why it's made.

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and ran

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced.

You can't be a Real Country unless you have a BEER and an ai

You can't be a Real Country unless you have a BEER and an airline -- it helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a BEER.

Alcohol/alcoholism

A drug is neither moral nor immoral -- it's a chemical compo

A drug is neither moral nor immoral -- it's a chemical compound. The compound itself is not a menace to society until a human being treats it as if consumption bestowed a temporary license to act like an asshole.

Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing

Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read.

There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could

There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we'd all love one another.

The computer can't tell you the emotional story. It can give

The computer can't tell you the emotional story. It can give you the exact mathematical design, but what's missing is the eyebrows.

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.

Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in th

Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something.

One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will

One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds.

If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an educa

If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.

Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring

Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.

Most people wouldn't know music if it came up and bit them o

Most people wouldn't know music if it came up and bit them on the a-s.

Communism doesn't work because people like to own stuff.

Communism doesn't work because people like to own stuff.

Music is always a commentary on society.

Music is always a commentary on society.