Quote

I play piano, by ear. Yes, I write songs... and good ones.

Nina Simone

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Song
Write
Play
Writing
Good
Piano
Ears
Songs
Ones

More quotes by Nina Simone

Image
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.
Nina Simone
Image
I can't stand loud guitars that make me deaf.
Nina Simone
Image
I think the rich will eventually have to cave in too, because the economic situation around the world is not gonna tolerate the United States being on top forever.
Nina Simone
Image
I don't like drug addicts and she sounds like a cat.
Nina Simone
Image
I believe the time will come when the whole definition of pop music will change. It will get to the point where a song will not be a good song until it has a high level of creativity in writing and performance. In other words, in order to be popular, songs will have to meet these high standards.
Nina Simone
Image
The Beatles are lucky, very lucky. But what has happened to them has nothing to do with them, in a sense. They came along at the right time. Attention was focused on them. They've had the chance to grow in almost any direction they wanted. Very lucky. They are not exceptionally talented.
Nina Simone
Image
I don't like to go to strange places. I was in Italy for about five hours on my way to Africa.
Nina Simone
Image
What is love but a prelude to sorrow...with heartache ahead for your goal.
Nina Simone
Image
Theory and harmony broadened my mind in music. I know what music is made of.
Nina Simone
Image
Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.
Nina Simone
Image
Many times I feel different like a different person.
Nina Simone
Image
Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
Nina Simone
Image
I don't like to go to strange places.
Nina Simone
Image
I feel what they feel. And people who listen to me know that, and it makes them feel like they're not alone.
Nina Simone
Image
I'm sorry that I did not become the world's first black classic pianist. I think I would have been happier.
Nina Simone
Image
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, a song that was written for Simone, she confronted the band's lead singer, Eric Burdon. So you're the honky, she said, who stole my song and got a hit out of it?
Nina Simone
Image
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
Nina Simone
Image
Jazz is not just music, it's a way of life, it's a way of being, a way of thinking.
Nina Simone
Image
I tell you what freedom is to me: no fear.
Nina Simone
Image
My job is not done. I address my songs now to the third world. I am popular all over Asia and Africa and the Middle East, not to speak of South Africa, where I'm trying to go to see Nelson Mandela.
Nina Simone