Billie Holiday: Quotes about singing

Billie Holiday was American jazz singer and songwriter. Explore interesting quotes on singing.
Billie Holiday: 52   quotes 25   likes

“I can’t stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years. If you can, then it ain’t music, it’s close-order drill or exercise or yodeling or something, not music.”

Billie Holiday book Lady Sings the Blues

Source: Lady Sings the Blues (1956), Ch. 4.

Music , Way , Exercises , Singing

“I've been told that nobody sings the word "hunger" like I do. Or the word "love."”

Billie Holiday book Lady Sings the Blues

Source: Lady Sings the Blues (1956), Ch. 22.

Love , Hunger , Singing

“If you think dope is for kicks and for thrills, you’re out of your mind. There are more kicks the fuck to be had in a good case of paralytic polio or by living in an iron lung. If you think you need stuff to play music or sing, you’re crazy. It can fix you so you can’t play nothing or sing nothing.”

Billie Holiday book Lady Sings the Blues

Source: Lady Sings the Blues (1956), Ch. 23.

Music , Singing , Thinking