You have to watch all sides of your advancement, you have to make sure people's bodies and minds are healthy and their morale is cool before you can really go out and play great music.

In this quote, Shirley Manson emphasizes the importance of ensuring that both the physical and mental well-being of individuals are taken care of before they can fully engage in creating or performing great music. She suggests that in order to be successful in any creative endeavor, especially in the context of music, it's crucial to maintain a balance between personal health, morale, and artistic output. Without these foundational aspects being nurtured, Manson believes that true creative expression cannot flourish.

Manson stresses the idea of watching all sides of your advancement, which implies a holistic approach to success. It's not just about pushing forward in terms of talent or skill, but about taking care of the whole person, both inside and out. For musicians, this means ensuring that they are physically fit, mentally sharp, and emotionally stable—only then can they truly channel their energy into their music.

By emphasizing the need to keep people's morale “cool,” Manson recognizes that the emotional and psychological state of a person is just as important as their physical condition when it comes to creativity. Low morale can stifle creativity, while high morale can encourage more productive and inspired artistic work. For Manson, a positive and balanced state of mind is crucial to unlocking the full potential of one's artistic expression.

Ultimately, this quote highlights Manson's belief in the interconnectedness of well-being and creativity. It suggests that in order to produce meaningful, high-quality music, musicians and artists must first focus on taking care of their bodies, minds, and spirits, ensuring that they are in the best possible condition to create and perform at their highest level.