Joan Armatrading Quotes

Powerful Joan Armatrading for Daily Growth

About Joan Armatrading

Joan Armatrading (born Joan Andrea Armatrading on December 9, 1950) is an acclaimed British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who has made significant contributions to the music industry over the past five decades. Born in Bassett, Coventry, England, Armatrading was raised in a musical family, with her father being a steelpan player and her uncle a calypso musician. This early exposure to diverse genres such as calypso, soul, R&B, and rock played a crucial role in shaping her unique sound and style. After studying music at Coventry College of Education, Armatrading moved to London in 1972 to pursue her musical career. Her big break came when she signed with Island Records, the renowned British record label known for promoting artists like Bob Marley, UB40, and Cat Stevens. Her debut album, "Whatever's for Us," was released in 1975 and showcased her exceptional songwriting abilities, strong vocal performance, and versatility across multiple instruments such as guitar, keyboards, and percussion. This album and its follow-up, "Back to the Night" (1976), established Armatrading's reputation as a talented singer-songwriter. Throughout her career, she has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "Me Myself I" (1983) and "Lover Talk" (1985). In 2007, Armatrading was awarded an MBE for her services to music. Armatrading's music is characterized by her powerful vocal delivery, intricate guitar work, and thought-provoking lyrics that often explore themes of love, identity, and personal growth. Her enduring talent and unique sound have earned her a devoted fanbase and cemented her status as one of the most accomplished British singer-songwriters of her generation.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm not a star, I'm just a person."

Joan Armatrading's quote "I'm not a star, I'm just a person" reflects her humility and down-to-earth perspective on fame and stardom. It suggests that despite achieving significant success in the music industry, she views herself as an ordinary individual rather than a larger-than-life icon. This quote reminds us that celebrities are human beings with their own struggles, emotions, and flaws, just like everyone else.


"Life is very short and there's no time for fooling around with people who don't value you."

This quote emphasizes the importance of valuing oneself and recognizing that time in life is limited. It underscores the notion that one should invest energy and time only into relationships where they are respected and valued, as there's no room for wasting precious moments on people who don't appreciate you. The message is a call to prioritize self-worth and protect personal resources from individuals who may not reciprocate genuine respect or value.


"The more you give of yourself the more you can be of yourself."

This quote suggests that by sharing and giving of oneself - one's time, energy, emotions, or talents - a person increases their self-awareness and understanding, allowing them to fully express who they are. The act of giving enables personal growth and transformation, as it allows individuals to discover their strengths, passions, and values. Ultimately, the quote implies that by being generous with oneself, one can truly become the best version of themselves.


"I think what makes a song good is when it's true, when it's sincere and when it touches your heart."

This quote suggests that the quality of a song lies in its authenticity, honesty, and emotional resonance with listeners. When a song is "true" and "sincere," it means the artist has poured genuine feelings into the lyrics or melody. If this sincerity touches one's heart, it creates an impactful connection between the listener and the music, which makes the song memorable and effective.


"You can't please all the people, all the time. If you tried, you'd end up pleasing nobody."

This quote by Joan Armatrading underscores the impossibility of satisfying everyone in every situation, as trying to do so would ultimately lead to dissatisfaction from others due to the inherent differences and contrasting expectations among individuals. It is a reminder that people have diverse tastes, preferences, and standards, making it an unrealistic goal to strive for universal approval. Instead, one should aim to be true to oneself and maintain integrity in decisions and actions, rather than chasing fleeting acceptance from all quarters.


You don't have to be rich and famous. You just have to be an ordinary person, doing extraordinary things. I'd like more people to know that it's there. Women's achievements still aren't recognised enough in many areas.

- Joan Armatrading

Doing, Achievements, Recognised

Classical, Romantic, and Baroque music, that's what I really like.

- Joan Armatrading

Music, Romantic, Like, Baroque

One of them would definitely be the Nelson Mandela gig, when I played the tribute song for him. He was up and dancing, and he really enjoyed it. It was a really lovely occasion.

- Joan Armatrading

Song, Dancing, Occasion, Mandela

I am constantly being told that I have been a big influence for many people, including other musicians.

- Joan Armatrading

Big, Other, Been, Big Influence

It's a very organic process, and it has a specific order to it. I love to write, and once you've written, then you arrange. After the arrangement, you record it, and then you tour it.

- Joan Armatrading

Love, Process, Very, Organic

This band - because this is myself on electric and acoustic guitars - we've done three tours together now and I really, really like it which is why I did the DVD as well.

- Joan Armatrading

Myself, Like, Which, Guitars

Writing music is just something that I was born to do.

- Joan Armatrading

Music, Writing, I Was Born, Just Something

When you're on tour you definitely don't want lots of arguments. It's very important that everybody gets on because you're in close proximity a great deal of the time.

- Joan Armatrading

Deal, Everybody, Very, Proximity

Yesterday I was playing Beethoven's fifth, because I love that.

- Joan Armatrading

Love, Yesterday, I Love, Fifth

Inspiration doesn't really work like that - you're not looking out for it. Inspiration is something that tends to capture you rather than you capture it.

- Joan Armatrading

Work, Like, Rather, Tends

So I've had lots of different bands over the years who have stayed with me for certain tours.

- Joan Armatrading

Over, Had, Bands, Tours

Yes, but the great thing about all the people - and I don't think there is any exception - who I've worked with is they've all been very, very talented musicians.

- Joan Armatrading

Think, Exception, Very, Talented

That is one of the things about going on tour, that I get to work with some really talented people and it allows me to be able to listen to them as well - and just have fun on stage.

- Joan Armatrading

Some, One Of The Things, Talented

So, the combination of looking at lots of different people and how they react to each other and how they relate to each other and waiting for that inspiration is the thing that allows me to keep writing.

- Joan Armatrading

Different People, Other, Combination

I love to go on tour and perform. I love all the parts of the process.

- Joan Armatrading

Love, Process, I Love, Tour

So if you're on tour for eight months, a year... or whatever it is you definitely don't want arguments and I'm happy to say that I've always had a really nice bunch of people around me all the time.

- Joan Armatrading

Happy, Year, Had, Tour

I found my sound early on. Look at U2: they haven't changed their music for 20 years. Anyway, many people come unstuck when they try to change what they do and what they are known for.

- Joan Armatrading

Change, Sound, Come, Anyway

I've written what and when I want to. It's been about expressing myself. But with the degree, I had to learn to do everything in a very specific, disciplined way. I am very disciplined, but this demanded a totally different kind of discipline. A real challenge.

- Joan Armatrading

Been, Very, Disciplined, Expressing

My mother bought a piano, put it in the front room, and I just started writing my songs.

- Joan Armatrading

Mother, Songs, Bought, Piano

Right from day one, you know when you've written a good song.

- Joan Armatrading

Song, Know, Day One, Good Song

In America, you watch TV and think that's totally unreal, then you step outside and it's just the same.

- Joan Armatrading

Think, TV, Then, Unreal

When I was younger I was obsessed with writing, so even if I wanted to listen, I didn't have time.

- Joan Armatrading

Younger, Wanted, Even, Obsessed

All your travelling is together, you eat together, you're on stage as a band together, when you get to the sound-check the band and the crew are all together.

- Joan Armatrading

Stage, Travelling, Your, Crew

Just an hour with you, and I understand why we had to meet.

- Joan Armatrading

Meet, Understand, Why, Hour

I've always written in a free, unencumbered way.

- Joan Armatrading

Free, Always, Written, Unencumbered

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