"The beautiful thing about music is that it can express an idea and reflect a feeling in a way not even words can do."
This quote by B.B. King emphasizes the profound ability of music to convey abstract ideas and deep emotions that are difficult, if not impossible, for words alone to capture. Music transcends language barriers, tapping into universal human experiences, allowing it to resonate with people across cultures and time periods. It's a testament to the power of art as a medium for expression and connection among people.
"I live music. I love music."
B.B. King's quote expresses his deep, passionate connection with music. It signifies that music is not just a hobby or job for him, but it forms a significant part of his identity and emotions. He immerses himself in music, cherishing every moment spent creating and experiencing it. The quote suggests a profound dedication and love towards the art form, reflecting B.B. King's spirit as a legendary musician who lived and breathed music throughout his life.
"Everybody needs the blues. They are the fabric of there being any kind of music."
B.B. King's quote suggests that the blues, a genre originating from African-American communities in the United States, is a fundamental building block of all music. It implies that the deep emotions and experiences expressed through the blues provide the foundation for any type of musical expression, making it an essential part of the broader human experience and culture. This perspective highlights the universal appeal and significance of the blues in understanding the roots of various music genres.
"The guitar sang to me. It was my voice. That's what I thought it was."
B.B. King considered his guitar as an extension of his own voice, a means for him to express himself musically. He felt such a deep connection with the instrument that he perceived its sounds as being his own voice, implying a strong personal identification and emotional bond with the guitar. This quote highlights King's unique perspective on music, seeing it not only as an art form but as a deeply personal mode of self-expression.
"When you sing, you tell a story that people can feel in their soul."
This quote by B.B. King emphasizes the deep emotional resonance that music, particularly singing, carries. It implies that when an artist sings, they are not just producing sounds, but rather, they are communicating a narrative or emotion that listeners can connect with on a profound level. The "soul" in this context refers to the heart, feelings, and deepest self of the listener, suggesting that great singing has the power to tap into these emotional depths and evoke strong responses. Essentially, B.B. King is saying that music is more than mere entertainment – it is a powerful tool for storytelling and empathy that touches our souls.
I developed in my head that I'm never any better than my last concert or the last time I played, so it's like an audition each time. You get nervous just before going onstage. I still have that, but I think it's more like concern. You're concerned about the people - like meeting your in-laws for the first time.
- B. B. King
Even now, at 82 years old, if I don't learn something every day, you know what I think? It's a day lost. Now, I don't practice every day. I just take the guitar, swear at it. But I should be swearing at myself. But I fool with music. I'm doing something musically all the time. And my ears are wide open for anything I can hear.
- B. B. King
Back when we was in school in Mississippi, we had Little Black Sambo. That's what you learned: Anytime something was not good, or anytime something was bad in some kinda way, it had to be called black. Like, you had Black Monday, Black Friday, black sheep... Of course, everything else, all the good stuff, is white. White Christmas and such.
- B. B. King
When people treat you mean, you dislike them for that, but not because of their person, who they are. I was born and raised in a segregated society, but when I left there, I had nobody I disliked other than the people that'd mistreated me, and that only lasted for as long as they were mistreating me.
- B. B. King
My wife Martha used to call me Ol' Lemon Face because of my facial contortions when I play Lucille. I squeeze my eyes and open my mouth, raise my eyebrows, cock my head and God knows what else. I look like I'm in torture, when in truth, I'm in ecstasy. I don't do it for show. Every fiber of my being is tingling.
- B. B. King
My last divorce was in '68. What made it come to a head was a promise. See, I had promised her that the next year I wouldn't work as much. But then I got in trouble with the IRS, and I had to continue working just as much to pay the government. So she said I lied, which is something I never did.
- B. B. King
I was born on a plantation, and things weren't so good. We didn't have any money. I never thought of the word 'poor' 'til I got to be a man, but when you live in a house that you can always peek out of and see what kind of day it is, you're not doing so well. And your rest room is not inside the house.
- B. B. King
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