Canadian rock music legend Randy Bachman is well-known for his work with bands like Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Guess Who. He frequently considers how artists perceive their own work over time when talking about his career.

Consider an artist who paints a series of canvases, each with a different level of inspiration and skill. The artist takes a step back after a while to evaluate these pieces collectively. It's similar to observing a garden that you've been caring for every day; while some days your plants thrive, others might not do as well as you had hoped.

When discussing his body of work, Bachman employs this metaphor to imply that, when he looks back, he sees a mixture of works that he is proud of and others that may not be up to par. He notes that his collection consists of four exceptional songs, four mediocre ones, and four more that he doesn't believe are on par with the best.

The intriguing thing is that Bachman didn't have this viewpoint when these songs were written. Without looking too far ahead or too far behind, he was intent on giving it his all every day. This quotation demonstrates how an artist's perception of themselves can evolve as they acquire more knowledge and understanding of their work.

Listeners are prompted to consider how we perceive our own efforts and accomplishments by Bachman's reflection. It serves as a reminder that even though we may give every project our whole attention, our viewpoint on them may change over time and space. Artists often produce their best work without realizing it at the time, much like a gardener who plants seeds every day but may only appreciate their garden in hindsight.

This realization also emphasizes how crucial it is to remain authentic while creating rather than continuously worrying about how each piece will be viewed or evaluated in the long run. It serves as a reminder that being creative is a journey that involves both highs and lows, but in the end, it's about giving it your all at every turn.