In an unexpected and emotional revelation, Elon Musk has shared that a few carefully chosen words from songwriter Brett James gave him the strength to endure some of the most difficult periods of his life. The billionaire entrepreneur, who is known for his bold ambitions with Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, offered a rare glimpse into his personal struggles and the surprising source of guidance that helped him navigate them.
“His words got me through my darkest moments,” Musk said during a recent tribute to James, who is celebrated for his decades-long career crafting chart-topping hits across country and pop music.
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According to Musk, the two men crossed paths years ago at a private event in Nashville. Musk, who admitted he was feeling “burned out, hollow, and dangerously close to walking away from it all,” found himself in an unguarded conversation with the legendary songwriter. James, known for his empathetic approach to music and storytelling, offered Musk a piece of advice that would echo in his mind for years to come.
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“The message was simple, almost deceptively so,” Musk recalled. “He told me: ‘Don’t let fear trick you into thinking you’ve already failed. The story isn’t over until you stop turning the page.’”
Musk explained that these words resonated with him deeply during moments when he felt overwhelmed by public scrutiny, financial risk, and the immense weight of trying to change industries resistant to disruption.
“Fear is the constant shadow,” Musk said. “Whether it’s the fear of rockets exploding, factories shutting down, or even losing the people closest to you, it’s always there. Brett reminded me that fear doesn’t mean failure—it just means you’re still in the middle of the story.”
The exchange, brief as it was, grew into a mental anchor that Musk returned to whenever he felt on the verge of collapse. He described nights when he would replay James’s words to himself as a way to keep moving forward, especially during the 2008 financial crisis when both Tesla and SpaceX were on the brink of bankruptcy.
“It’s strange,” Musk admitted. “You can spend billions on research, engineering, and innovation, but sometimes what really saves you is a sentence—something so human and timeless that it cuts through all the chaos.”
Brett James, whose career boasts collaborations with artists like Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and Bon Jovi, was known for distilling universal truths into lyrics that resonated across generations. Though his songs often touched on themes of resilience, love, and redemption, it was his personal ability to connect with individuals that left an equally powerful legacy.
Fans have long admired James for his humility and his commitment to authenticity, qualities that Musk himself highlighted during his tribute. “He had this gift of listening,” Musk said. “In a world full of noise, he listened first. And then, when he spoke, it mattered.”
James passed away earlier this year at the age of 64, leaving behind a catalog of hits that continue to inspire millions. For Musk, however, his greatest contribution was not a song heard on the radio but a private moment of encouragement that reshaped his perspective on failure and perseverance.
In reflecting on the songwriter’s influence, Musk urged others to consider the quiet power of words. “We chase big things—big rockets, big dreams, big achievements. But what I learned from Brett is that the small things, the words we choose to share with someone in pain, can have an impact we’ll never fully understand.”
Musk’s tribute sparked an outpouring of responses online, with fans of both men sharing their own stories of how James’s lyrics or Musk’s perseverance had helped them through personal challenges. Many noted the poetic symmetry of a songwriter best known for inspiring others through music extending that gift to one of the world’s most influential innovators.
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As Musk concluded his remarks, he offered one final reflection: “If there’s a message I can pass forward, it’s his: Don’t let fear convince you you’ve failed. Keep turning the page. That’s what Brett told me. That’s what I’ll keep telling myself—and maybe it’s what someone out there needs to hear right now.”
In that spirit, Brett James’s legacy lives on—not only through the songs that touched countless lives but also through the enduring reminder that sometimes a single sentence can be the difference between giving up and going on.
