If you want to be a good blues singer, people are going to be down on you, so dress like you're going to the bank to borrow money.
B. B. KingRead
Playing the guitar is like telling the truth - you never have to worry about repeating the same [lie] if you told the truth. You don't have to pretend, or cover up. If someone asks you again, you don't have to think about it or worry about it because there it is. It's you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Playing the guitar authentically is comparable to being honest; both require no pretense.
This quote by B.B. King emphasizes the importance of authenticity in both music and life. Just as playing the guitar honestly allows the musician to express their true self without the burden of pretense or deceit, living truthfully enables individuals to navigate their lives with clarity and ease, free from the complications of dishonesty or cover-ups.
Themes
GuitarTruthAuthenticityHonestyPretense
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of honesty in art, you might say this quote to illustrate your point.
More from B. B. King
All quotes →The way I feel today, as long as my health is good and I can handle myself well and people still come to my concerts, still buy my CDs, I'll keep playing until I feel like I can't.
B. B. KingRead
Everything I record, I just try to sound like me and come up with songs that suit what I do and then just go for it. I never know what the public's going to like, anyway.
B. B. KingRead
A guitar is like an old friend that is there with me.
B. B. KingRead
I have not been a good father, but no father has loved his children more. Like my father, I decided the best thing I could do for my kids was work and provide. Fortunately, I've been able to do that. Unfortunately, my work was on the road, and that's meant a life of one-nighters.
B. B. KingRead
People all over the world have problems. And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die.
B. B. KingRead
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If you don't know the blues... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.
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Back then people closed their eyes and listened to music. Today there's a lot of images that go with the music. A lot of music is crap and it's all commercial and the images are all trying to sell the record.
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I figured I could do "It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World" because I believe it's the truth.
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