Judy Collins Quotes

Powerful Judy Collins for Daily Growth

About Judy Collins

Judy Collins (born May 1, 1939) is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and pianist who has spanned genres from folk to pop, classical, and jazz during her six-decade-long career. Born in Seattle, Washington, Collins began her musical journey at a young age, inspired by her mother's love for music and her own passion for the piano. Collins moved to New York City in 1957, where she studied at the Juilliard School of Music. However, it was her discovery of folk music during this time that truly captivated her. She quickly made a name for herself on the Greenwich Village folk scene, befriending and collaborating with legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. In 1961, Collins signed with Elektra Records and released her debut album, 'A Maid of Constant Sorrow.' The album was a success, launching Collins into the limelight and setting the stage for a prolific career. Over the years, she released numerous albums, many of which became chart-topping hits, including 'Wildflowers' (1967), 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' (1971), and 'Judy Collins Live at the Bottom Line' (1978). Collins is perhaps best known for her cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now," which earned her a Grammy Award in 1968. She has won several other awards throughout her career, including multiple Grammy nominations and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In addition to her musical pursuits, Collins is an activist for various causes, including mental health awareness, environmental conservation, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her memoir, 'Sanity and Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and Strength' (2017), details her struggles with depression and suicide attempts, offering insights into her personal journey and promoting mental health discourse. Today, Collins continues to perform and record music, inspiring generations of musicians with her powerful voice and enduring spirit.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is short and fragile, and we must treat each moment as a precious gift."

This quote emphasizes the fleeting and delicate nature of life, encouraging us to appreciate every moment as a valuable treasure rather than taking it for granted. By valuing each instance, we can live more mindfully, find joy in simple things, and cultivate gratitude – enhancing our overall quality of life.


"When you're alone and life seems meaningless, remember that someone loves you and the world would not be the same without you."

This quote by Judy Collins underscores the importance of personal connections in providing purpose and meaning during challenging times. In moments when one feels isolated and life seems devoid of significance, it's crucial to remember that there are people who care deeply for us - their love serves as a reminder of our value. Moreover, our individual existence holds weight in shaping the world around us, making each person irreplaceable and uniquely important.


"I think the greatest power is to work with people. There is no limit to what you can do if you don't care who gets the credit."

Judy Collins suggests that the greatest power one can wield lies in collaborative efforts, where success isn't defined by personal recognition but instead by achieving collective goals. She asserts that there is no limit to what one can accomplish when they prioritize teamwork over individual glory or credit. This perspective emphasizes unity, cooperation, and mutual respect within a group, fostering an environment of trust and understanding that encourages growth and progress.


"The more you love your life, the less it feels like work to make a living."

This quote by Judy Collins emphasizes the idea that when one genuinely loves their life's purpose or passion, the tasks associated with earning a living become not just bearable but fulfilling. In other words, it suggests that when we align our work with what we love, our daily activities no longer feel like drudgery or labor, but rather an extension of our personal joy and satisfaction in life. This perspective can lead to increased motivation, engagement, and overall well-being.


"It's important to find things that are fulfilling, and if you're lucky enough to find those things early on in life, hold on tight."

This quote by Judy Collins emphasizes the significance of finding activities or pursuits that bring personal satisfaction and meaning in life. It suggests that when such fulfilling experiences are discovered at an early stage, one should cherish and nurture them, as they contribute to a rich and meaningful life journey. Essentially, it encourages individuals to identify their passions and hold on to them tightly, so they can continue to grow and thrive throughout their lives.


I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your faith in something Greater than You, and keep doing what you love. Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world.

- Judy Collins

Motivational, Love, Doing, Faith

For many centuries, suicides were treated like criminals by the society. That is part of the terrible legacy that has come down into society's method of handling suicide recovery. Now we have to fight off the demons that have been hanging around suicide for centuries.

- Judy Collins

Legacy, Been, Part, Centuries

The powerful men in my life have always believed in me: my husband, my son.

- Judy Collins

Son, My Life, Always, Believed

I write journals and would recommend journal writing to anyone who wishes to pursue a writing career. You learn a lot. You also remember a lot... and memory is important.

- Judy Collins

Memory, Career, I Write, Journal

I think suicide is sort of like cancer was 50 years ago. People don't want to talk about it, they don't want to know about it. People are frightened of it, and they don't understand, when actually these issues are medically treatable.

- Judy Collins

I Think, Issues, About, Medically

I had some wonderful dreaming meetings. I can't tell you specifically what they've been in the recent months. In the past they've been verbal kinds of messages that he needed to give me. Now they're more dreams of his presence.

- Judy Collins

Some, Been, Needed, Specifically

Recovering from the suicide of a loved one, you need all the help you can get, so I very much recommend a meditation program. The whole picture of how to recover from this has to do with body, mind, and spirit. That's applicable to any kind of depression.

- Judy Collins

Very, Recovering, Recommend, Loved One

I don't dream songs. I'm more apt to write dreams down and then to be able to interpret them into a song. I also tend to get up and write prose in the morning from which will come songs.

- Judy Collins

Dreams, Down, Tend, Interpret

If I give myself a chore, for instance, when I was writing the songs for Shameless, I said to myself, Now, every day for 90 days you have to write a song; good, bad or indifferent. So that was really helpful.

- Judy Collins

Every Day, Bad, Instance, Chore

If I had not been already been meditating, I would certainly have had to start. I've treated my own depression for many years with exercise and meditation, and I've found that to be a tremendous help.

- Judy Collins

Been, Treated, Certainly, Meditating

I am thrilled to have been able to put together this new album. I listened to everything I had recorded in the 24 years with Elektra, and then just took all the ones I am mad about.

- Judy Collins

Been, About, Had, Elektra

Most of what we take as being important is not material, whether it's music or feelings or love. They're things we can't really see or touch. They're not material, but they're vitally important to us.

- Judy Collins

Love, Touch, Vitally, Feelings

My book 'Trust Your Heart', which is the story of my life, will be followed by 'Singing Lessons', a memoir of love, loss, hope, and healing, which talks about the death of my son and the hope that has been the aftermath of the healing from that tragedy.

- Judy Collins

Love, Trust, My Life, Singing Lessons

I have tried, in all the ways I can, to make timeless music.

- Judy Collins

Music, Tried, Ways, Timeless

When inspiration does not come, I go for a walk, go to the movie, talk to a friend, let go... The muse is bound to return again, especially if I turn my back!

- Judy Collins

Movie, Again, Bound, Let Go

I have friends who've tried suicide many times and haven't succeeded. I myself made an attempt, so I had a connection with that sort of group of people who have tried suicide at one time in their lives.

- Judy Collins

Suicide, Made, Lives, One Time

Music is always occurring. It is just a matter of marketing, attention, and many other factors, that determines whether people will hear these songs or not.

- Judy Collins

Will, Always, Other, Hear

I was raised to speak out about politics and the world around me. I would do it whether I was in the public or not. It is the way I was taught. The American way.

- Judy Collins

Politics, Raised, About, American Way

I think that new communications are wonderful and I am delighted to be a part of the Internet generation.

- Judy Collins

Generation, Think, New, Delighted

Writing anything is terribly hard but, alas for me, because I am addicted, a heck of a lot of fun. I often am sorry I ever started writing prose, because it is so hard. But I can't stop.

- Judy Collins

Addicted, Prose, Terribly, Alas

I sang in the coffee houses of the country in the early '60s with no idea of success in terms of records or television. I just thought I was a storyteller. I didn't even think of myself as a singer.

- Judy Collins

Thought, Think, Country, No Idea

I am just glad that I can take the music to the people who want to hear it. I love my audiences. I am deeply indebted to them for giving me the chance to sing my concerts, make records, and do what I love. Whatever people call it, it is great to have a voice!

- Judy Collins

Love, Voice, Records, Indebted

I don't think you get to good writing unless you expose yourself and your feelings. Deep songs don't come from the surface; they come from the deep down. The poetry and the songs that you are suppose to write, I believe are in your heart.

- Judy Collins

Deep, Good Writing, Your, Suppose

I always sang when I was little and my father, who was a great influence on me, also had a wonderful voice. He and my mother really encouraged me to sing and play the piano. They were always very supportive.

- Judy Collins

Voice, Play, Very, Piano

I feel so very grateful to have the voice God gave me. It takes a lot of rest and training to sing, and I was lucky that I found a great teacher when I first moved to New York.

- Judy Collins

Voice, Lucky, Very, Great Teacher

Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world.

- Judy Collins

Love, World, What You Love, Do What You Love

I may like the Blizzard best, of all the songs I have written.

- Judy Collins

Like, Songs, May, Blizzard

It is true that I have had heartache and tragedy in my life. These are things none of us avoids. Suffering is the price of being alive.

- Judy Collins

Suffering, My Life, Alive, Tragedy

I have inspiration and feelings of being alive most every day I live.

- Judy Collins

Life, Alive, Most, Inspiration

I don't know where my songs come from... If I knew, I'd know too much, more than we are allowed on this plane.

- Judy Collins

More, Knew, Allowed, Plane

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