Sometimes I sound like gravel, and sometimes I sound like coffee and cream.
I didn't get interested in music. It was a gift from God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Nina Simone's quote reflects her belief that music was an innate talent bestowed upon her rather than a mere interest she developed.
In this quote, Nina Simone expresses her profound sense of gratitude for her musical abilities, suggesting that her talent was not simply a product of hard work or personal interests, but rather a divine gift. This perspective highlights the connection between art and spirituality, reinforcing the idea that true artistry often feels like a calling beyond one's control, emphasizing a deeper resonance with one's purpose in life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a music award ceremony, one could quote Simone to emphasize the innate nature of musical talent.
More from Nina Simone
All quotes βJazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
I only knew classical music, which to me was the only true music. The only way I could survive at the bar was to mix the classical music with popular songs, and that meant I had to sing. What happened was that I discovered I had a voice plus the talent to mix classical music together with more popular songs, which at the time I detested.
Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.
This may be a dream, but I'll say it anyway: I was supposed to be married last year, and I bought a gown. When I meet Nelson Mandela, I shall put on this gown and have the train of it removed and put aside, and kiss the ground that he walks on and then kiss his feet.
I have to be composed; I have to be poised. I have to remember what my first piano teacher told me: 'You do not touch that piano until you are ready and until they are ready to listen to you.
Similar quotes
And when they encounter works of art which show that using new media can lead to new experiences and to new consciousness, and expand our senses, our perception, our intelligence, our sensibility, then they will become interested in this music.
My books piled up before me for my use waiting in space where I placed them, they haven't disappeared, time's left its remnants and qualities for me to use -- my words piled up, my texts, my manuscripts, my loves.
I'm interested in designing for posterity.
What the human eye observes casually and incuriously, the eye of the camera (the lens) notes with relentless fidelity.
I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying in the yellow haze of the sun. There were children crying and colors flying all around the chosen ones.
There's a crystallization that goes on in a poem which the young man can bring off, but which the middle-aged man can't.