Jools Holland Quotes

Powerful Jools Holland for Daily Growth

About Jools Holland

Jools Holland, OBE (born June 24, 1958), is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, broadcaster, and bandleader, best known for his work with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Born in Blackheath, London, Holland was introduced to music at a young age by his father, who played jazz piano. He began playing the harmonica at seven years old and took up the piano soon after. In 1973, at just 15 years old, Holland joined the then-unknown band Squeeze as a keyboardist, contributing to their early albums like 'Girls of Nylon' (1979) and 'Cool for Cats' (1979), which helped establish him in the music industry. However, his relationship with the band was fraught, and he eventually left in 1980, citing creative differences. Holland then formed the Jools Holland Band, which would later become the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. The band has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Mark Knopfler, and Paul Young, among others. Their most successful collaboration was with Tina Turner for the 1986 single "What's Love Got to Do with It," which reached number one in the UK charts. As a broadcaster, Holland has hosted BBC Two's 'Later... with Jools Holland' since 1992. The show has become a fixture of British television, featuring live performances by numerous artists and showcasing various genres of music. In 2007, he was awarded an OBE for services to the music industry. Holland continues to perform and record with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, as well as pursuing solo projects. His music, characterized by its eclectic mix of blues, jazz, and rock influences, has entertained audiences worldwide for over four decades.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is a language that doesn't speak in particular words. It speaks directly to our souls."

This quote emphasizes that music transcends spoken language, communicating in a universal way that resonates deeply within us. It suggests that music has an emotional power capable of touching our souls and conveying profound feelings without the need for words. Essentially, it's saying that despite differences in cultures or languages, everyone can understand and feel the emotions expressed through music.


"Life is too short to play small."

Jools Holland's quote, "Life is too short to play small," encourages individuals not to limit their potential or ambitions due to fear, uncertainty, or societal expectations. It's a call to action, inspiring people to strive for greatness, take risks, and pursue dreams without restraint, as the brevity of life makes it important to maximize personal growth and happiness. In essence, this quote is an invitation to embrace one's full potential and make a meaningful impact on the world.


"The most important thing is to love what you do. When you do, you never work another day in your life."

Jools Holland's quote emphasizes the significance of finding a passion and making it one's life's work. By loving what one does, one transforms daily activities into fulfilling experiences rather than drudgery, creating a sense of purpose and motivation that makes working feel more like a pleasure than labor. This perspective not only enhances personal satisfaction but also fosters success and productivity because when one is passionate about their work, they are likely to invest time, effort, and creativity into it, ultimately leading to professional growth and fulfillment.


"I think the essence of all that is music and rhythm because it's not mathematical, it's not linear, it doesn't repeat itself."

Jools Holland suggests that the core of everything is music and rhythm, emphasizing its non-mathematical, non-linear nature, which distinguishes it from more structured and predictable aspects of life. He implies that music's unique ability to express emotions, ideas, and stories transcends traditional logic and provides a distinct human connection. Moreover, he highlights the uniqueness of music, as it does not follow a strict pattern or repeat itself like mathematical sequences or linear processes.


"Jazz is a language like any other, but one that is spoken without words."

This quote suggests that jazz music is a unique form of expression, comparable to spoken languages, yet it does not rely on conventional words or verbal communication. Instead, it employs melodies, rhythms, harmonies, and improvisation to convey emotions, stories, and ideas in a non-verbal manner. In essence, jazz speaks to us in the language of music.


I meet people from really grand backgrounds who had horrible parents who took no interest in them, whereas I'm a working-class boy from Deptford who was worshipped by all my rellies. Everybody in my extended family helped to raise me, and I realise now how lucky I was to grow up among kind folk.

- Jools Holland

Lucky, Working-Class, Worshipped

The one thing I've learnt is that you don't want to be nasty about anybody, unless they've dropped dead. And the annoying thing is that most of the people that I know who've dropped dead are really great.

- Jools Holland

Anybody, About, Dropped, Nasty

I do so much travelling in my work that my suitcase is always packed, with my passport ready. I rarely unpack, as I am constantly on the move.

- Jools Holland

Always, Travelling, Move, Suitcase

I learned from Van Morrison and BB King that the first take is the best. It's about capturing a moment. It's the same as love's first kiss. If you try to do it again, it doesn't work so well.

- Jools Holland

Love, Best, About, Capturing

I am a keen medievalist and like going around museums and ruins and finding out about the people and local culture. I'm not one for sitting by a pool or lying on a beach. I also like to sketch while I'm on holiday, if I have time.

- Jools Holland

Around, About, While, Ruins

When I was very small, the electricity was turned off because we didn't pay the bill. I remember sitting by the oil lamp listening to my mother playing 'Careless Love' on the piano.

- Jools Holland

Love, Listening, Small, Careless

At 11, I went to live with my maternal nan and granddad temporarily, after my parents separated, and Nan would let me have a go on her piano. My grandparents were like something out of the Noel Coward play, 'This Happy Breed,' and it was magical to hear them sing music-hall songs.

- Jools Holland

Happy, Play, Grandparents, Temporarily

'The Tube' was the first time the plebs had gone on the television. The lunatics taking over the asylum.

- Jools Holland

Television, Over, Tube, Asylum

I love Yamaha Clavinovas. I have them at home, in the studio and on tour with me. I find them ideal for all sorts of things: silent practice with headphones at home; writing; arranging and... just playing the blues!

- Jools Holland

Love, Silent, Studio, Arranging

It would be great to have Bach in one corner, Bessie Smith in another, John Lennon in another. That's what I'd ideally like. A studio of the dead.

- Jools Holland

Like, Studio, Smith, Lennon

'The X Factor' seems to be more about building up personalities and people in tears. And it's not a new idea. The pre-Beatles pop world was full of manufactured pop stars. The thing is that you can't imagine any of the artists you look back at and admire ever going on 'The X Factor.'

- Jools Holland

Tears, Idea, Pop Stars, Factor

I have friends who are in the posh category and some who are in the not-at-all-posh category, and some who you would find it very hard to get any sort of handle on. But I am lucky to have any friends, of course.

- Jools Holland

Lucky, Some, Posh, Category

I like to think of myself as Prince Charles's friend. He's a great fellow. There are always people trying to knock him, but The Prince's Trust is one of the biggest supporters of young people in Britain.

- Jools Holland

Trust, Think, Always, Supporters

I have realised how exciting and easy it is to be a time traveller by looking at paintings and films and architecture and playing music or listening to it. I don't think you necessarily have to live in the present all the time.

- Jools Holland

Listening, Think, Films, Traveller

The first thing I learned was the 'St Louis Blues' when I was eight. Both my grandmothers, my mother and uncle played the piano. This was post-war Britain, and they played boogie woogie and blues, which was the underground music of the time.

- Jools Holland

Uncle, Grandmothers, Britain, Louis

The piano has disappeared from working-class family life, which is a shame. It's associated with the middle classes now. Everyone in my family sang and played piano, but my parents were delighted and amazed when I became the first professional performer in the family - apart from a clog-dancer way back.

- Jools Holland

Shame, Working-Class, Became, Disappeared

Music can lift the spirit; it can make you cry. Soldiers have marched into battle to music. It's a powerful thing.

- Jools Holland

Cry, Spirit, Soldiers, Lift

If you play the guitar, you've got to hold the chords down with one hand while you play with the other, so you're limited to one hand. But the piano is the king of instruments because you have your 10 fingers, which become the 10 members of the orchestra.

- Jools Holland

Play, Other, Chords, Orchestra

Without the piano, my life would be a disaster - nobody would hold me in any regard. It's the thing that saved me.

- Jools Holland

My Life, Saved, Any, Disaster

When I first set up my big band, I only had Gilson Lavis, the drummer from Squeeze, with me. He was the core element. Whenever a group hits the big time, they always get a new drummer because they really need that. You can make do with rubbish elsewhere.

- Jools Holland

Big, Had, Squeeze, Drummer

Due to my work, I tend to stay in hotels a lot of the time, and I generally prefer smaller hotels, as you tend to get better service than in the larger hotels.

- Jools Holland

Larger, Smaller, Prefer, Hotels

Early on with Squeeze, we played the Hope & Anchor with U2. Three people turned up. Then two left. Then the last person left. That's the least-attended show I've ever done.

- Jools Holland

Last, Squeeze, Turned, Early

I've met the Queen a couple of times, and she's been delightful. In fact, I often find myself thinking: 'What would the Queen do in this situation? Write a thank-you note? Yes, I'll do that.' She's all about courtesy.

- Jools Holland

Been, Note, Couple, Delightful

Amy Winehouse and Paul Weller are examples of poets, I think.

- Jools Holland

Think, I Think, Examples, None

As a bandleader, I try to pass on the same family values that I grew up with: help people, hang on to your sense of humour, be tolerant, and keep your judgments to yourself.

- Jools Holland

Hang, Pass, Tolerant, Judgments

It's very nice to be asked to anybody's wedding. Particularly if it's the Prince of Wales. I learned a lot from it, which was to end early and get away. I suppose one would have to look back historically and see who other royals had at their weddings. Were there people at Queen Elizabeth's wedding who were common like myself?

- Jools Holland

Other, Away, Very, Historically

I learned to play by ear before I learned music theory. For me, that makes sense. After all, children learn to speak before they read and write. The more you understand of music - how harmony and time signatures work, and what chords and inversions are - the more you'll enjoy it.

- Jools Holland

Harmony, Play, Before, Ear

I only know about a few things, but I am quite good at bluffing. There are a whole range of subjects, including the Renaissance, which I am prepared to sound expert on.

- Jools Holland

Expert, Including, Which, Few Things

I love the Queen. I've had a crush on her since I was eight.

- Jools Holland

Love, Crush, I Love, Since

Some acts are tricky. Eartha Kitt was tricky in a wonderful, old-style way. She did yoga on the piano and put her hands over her ears when the other acts were on.

- Jools Holland

Some, Other, Over, Piano

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