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
Whenever I'm in Kansas City, I think back to all the jazz-blues greats who played the blues here - like Count Basie, Charlie Parker and Jay McShann. I watched those guys jam in different places and heard a lot of things - but I couldn't do what they did. They were too good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
B. B. King reflects on the incredible talent of jazz-blues musicians from Kansas City, acknowledging their greatness and his admiration for them.
In this quote, B. B. King expresses his fond memories of Kansas City, a significant place in the history of jazz and blues music. He reminisces about the legendary artists such as Count Basie and Charlie Parker who shaped the genre with their remarkable skills. King recognizes not only their talent but also his own limitations in comparison, showcasing a humble appreciation for those who have come before him in the musical landscape.
Themes
JazzBluesMusicAdmirationHumility
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a speech about the importance of acknowledging those who inspired us in our respective fields.
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
Similar quotes
There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between.
Thomas BeechamRead
I know people said I wasn't selling out in America, but that was entirely untrue. We sold out all over the world, and every night I looked out into the fans and those front rows that you're talking about, the tears, the honesty, the inability to not be completely overjoyed because they felt accepted.
Lady GagaRead
Of emotions, of love, of breakup, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a lot of territory, country music does.
Johnny CashRead
Bach takes you to a very quiet place within yourself, to the inner core, a place where you are calm and at peace.
Yo-Yo MaRead
They gave their money, and they gave their screams. But the Beatles kind of gave their nervous systems. They used us as an excuse to go mad, the world did, and then blamed it on us.
George HarrisonRead
I wrote my first song at 12 and remember someone asking, 'What were you going through at 12 that you could write about?' I get what you're saying, but 11, 12, 13 were the hardest years of my life. You learn everything. You learn how horrible things feel.
Billie EilishRead