"Boy meets girl. Girl unimpressed. Boy starts band."
Sing Street - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Rock and Roll is a risk. You risk being ridiculed.
— Brendan
Context:
Brendan says this to Conor early in the film while critiquing his attempts at songwriting. He is pushing Conor to move beyond safe imitation and to embrace a more authentic, daring artistic identity.
Meaning:
This is Brendan's core philosophy, which he imparts to Conor. It encapsulates the film's central idea that creating art requires vulnerability and courage. It's not about technical perfection but about having the guts to put yourself out there, whether in music or in life.
Your problem is that you're not happy being sad. But that's what love is, Cosmo. Happy-sad.
— Raphina
Context:
Raphina says this to Conor as they sit by the sea, discussing her complicated feelings and troubled past. It's a moment of profound emotional honesty that deepens their connection and Conor's understanding of the world.
Meaning:
Raphina articulates the film's emotional thesis. The term "happy-sad" defines the bittersweet nature of life, love, and art. It suggests that true emotional depth comes from embracing melancholy and heartbreak alongside joy, a concept that influences Conor's songwriting, particularly his turn towards the style of The Cure.
You're gonna use somebody else's art to get her? Are you kidding?
— Brendan
Context:
Brendan says this after Conor and the band play a cover of a-ha's "Take On Me." He criticizes Conor for relying on existing music instead of creating something personal and new to win Raphina's affection.
Meaning:
This quote is a direct challenge from Brendan for Conor to be original. It highlights the theme of artistic integrity and pushes Conor to stop covering other bands' songs and write his own music to authentically express his feelings for Raphina.
You just moved in my jetstream. And people laugh at me, Conor. The stoner, the college dropout. And they praise you, which is fine! But once, I was a fucking jet engine!
— Brendan
Context:
This emotional outburst occurs during a fight between the brothers. Brendan expresses his jealousy and sorrow that Conor is living the life he once dreamed of, making his sacrifices for Conor's success all the more poignant.
Meaning:
A raw, heartbreaking confession that reveals Brendan's deep-seated pain and frustration over his own lost potential. It reframes his mentorship of Conor not just as brotherly guidance, but as a transfer of his own extinguished ambitions. It's a pivotal moment that adds immense emotional weight to their relationship.