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Music has been a burden and a joy for as long as I can remember.

Nina Simone

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Nina Simone
Age: 75 †
Born: 1933
Born: February 21
Died: 2008
Died: April 21
Composer
Jazz Pianist
Recording Artist
Singer
Singer-Songwriter
Tryon
North Carolina
Eunice Kathleen Waymon
High Priestess of Soul
Joy
Remember
Music
Long
Burden

More quotes by Nina Simone

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To be young, gifted and black!
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When I was studying... there weren't any black concert pianists. My choices were intuitive, and I had the technique to do it. People have heard my music and heard the classic in it, so I have become known as a black classical pianist.
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How do you explain what it feels like to get on the stage and make poetry that you know sinks into the hearts and souls of people who are unable to express it
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I'm sorry that I did not become the world's first black classic pianist. I think I would have been happier.
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I would like a man now who is rich, and who can give me a boat - a sailboat. I want to own it and let him pay for it. My first love is the sea and water, not music. Music is second.
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You have to learn to get up from the table when love is not being served.
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This may be a dream, but I'll say it anyway: I was supposed to be married last year, and I bought a gown. When I meet Nelson Mandela, I shall put on this gown and have the train of it removed and put aside, and kiss the ground that he walks on and then kiss his feet.
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I was not reluctant to become a singer. Singing has been an activity I've done my whole life, without thought.
Nina Simone
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Birds flying high you know how I feel Sun in the sky you know how I feel Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel And this old world is a new world And a bold world For me And I'm feeling good I'm feeling good
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I don't like to go to strange places. I was in Italy for about five hours on my way to Africa.
Nina Simone
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I had heard blues and jazz all my life but I was never aware that it was associated with nightclubs and drinking.
Nina Simone
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There are all kinds of things that can be done. You can change rhythms, you can change chords, you can change whole concepts. But it will only work, on a record or in a performance, if you can make the people buy it.
Nina Simone
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I look forward to doing my own show, not someone else's. That's always been my dream.
Nina Simone
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I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about... Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important.
Nina Simone
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It's logical that people from bad times will reflect their feelings in their communication. Music is part of the communication. If you lived it, you can do it.
Nina Simone
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I believe in racial memory too. I'm sure I've got ancient African blood in me that has something to do with what I am.
Nina Simone
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I can't stand loud guitars that make me deaf.
Nina Simone
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I know I'm different, but I don't think about it.
Nina Simone
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You don't have to live next to me / Just give me my equality.
Nina Simone
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I don't like to go to strange places.
Nina Simone