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
Growing up on the plantation there in Mississippi, I would work Monday through Saturday noon. I'd go to town on Saturday afternoons, sit on the street corner, and I'd sing and play.
Interpretation
What this quote means
B. B. King's quote reflects on the balance of hard work and personal expression.
In this quote, B. B. King recounts his upbringing in Mississippi, highlighting his rigorous work schedule and contrasting it with his moments of joy and creativity spent playing music. It illustrates the importance of finding joy and expressing oneself, even amidst the demands of daily labor, suggesting that personal fulfillment is essential for a well-rounded life.
Themes
MusicHard WorkExpressionJoyCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing passions alongside responsibilities.
More from B. B. King
All quotes βThe 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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