I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.
Ray CharlesRead
I suppose I've always done my share of crying, especially when there's no other way to contain my feelings. I know that men ain't supposed to cry, but I think that's wrong. Crying's always been a way for me to get things out which are buried deep, deep down. When I sing, I often cry. Crying is feeling, and feeling is being human. Oh yes, I cry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Crying is a natural expression of emotions that reflects human vulnerability.
In this quote, Ray Charles emphasizes the importance of emotional expression, particularly through crying, as a means to release pent-up feelings. He challenges the societal belief that men should suppress their emotions, arguing instead that crying is a fundamental aspect of being human and an essential way to confront and process deep-seated feelings. For him, singing often evokes tears, highlighting the connection between music, emotion, and authenticity.
Themes
CryingEmotionsHumanVulnerabilityMusic
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about mental health, one might use this quote to encourage emotional well-being.
More from Ray Charles
All quotes →To me, music is entertainment - what else can it be? In fact, it's the only language I know of that's universal.
Ray CharlesRead
Just because you can't see anything , doesn't mean you should shut your eyes.
Ray CharlesRead
Any artist, when he goes in to record, should have the feeling that any song he records can be a hit. This may sound egotistical, but it makes sense.
Ray CharlesRead
When I started to sing like myself - as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while - when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.
Ray CharlesRead
The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.
Ray CharlesRead
Similar quotes
One day, I had a patient who was going through chemotherapy who came to me and said, 'I'm going to go on with what I'm doing, but I need you to tell me what it is that I'm fighting.'
Siddhartha MukherjeeRead
If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.
Genghis KhanRead
I am anchored on a resolve you cannot shake. My heart, my conscience shall dispose of my hand - they only. Know this at last.
Charlotte BronteRead
Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.
Alan AldaRead
The right is ours. Have it we must. Use it we will.
Elizabeth Cady StantonRead
There was no way to laugh anymore, to love, to care, and there was a sense of guilt in having survived when others had been killed. I turned into a worse workaholic than I had already been by trying to work myself into the ground.
Romeo DallaireRead