I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a desire for greatness through achievement rather than seeking fame.
Ray Charles emphasizes that his primary goal was not to attain fame, which often comes with attention and scrutiny, but rather to achieve greatness through his craft and contributions. This highlights a distinction between external recognition and internal fulfillment, suggesting that true success lies in dedication and excellence rather than in public level acclaim.
In practice
During a motivational speech to aspiring musicians, this quote could inspire them to focus on their craft rather than external validation.
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.
To me, music is entertainment - what else can it be? In fact, it's the only language I know of that's universal.
Just because you can't see anything , doesn't mean you should shut your eyes.
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.
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.
The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.
Super Bowl XXXII was a victory made long before stepping on that field in San Diego in 1998. It was earned with my brother guiding me as a kid in Glennville, Ga., and as a seventh-round pick out of Savannah State. Even at the pinnacle, that ring was always his.
I still have my first paycheck. It was just, I think, a dollar or two that I got when I started as a songwriter with BMI, and I had some songs there that I had through the company, and in the mail I got this big old check for, like, a dollar and a half or something. Somebody had recorded one of my songs.
I have no more campaigns to run... I know because I won both of them.
Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.
Even at the height of my fame, 50 per cent of the people who saw me wanted a fight; itβs the downside of being a star player.
Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.
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