If you want to be a good blues singer, people are going to be down on you, so dress like you're going to the bank to borrow money.
B. B. KingRead
I don't feel that no big stone should be put over my head, saying he did this, he did that. Unless there's something that I really did do. I believe I'm just ordinary. And I'd like for people to think of me that way, as just a guy that tried. Wanted to be loved by other people because he loved people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a desire to be seen as an ordinary person who values love and authenticity over fame.
B. B. King reflects on his identity and the importance of being perceived as an ordinary person rather than a larger-than-life figure. He emphasizes that his efforts were motivated by a genuine love for people, highlighting that he seeks appreciation for his character rather than accolades or fame. This sentiment resonates with the idea that true worth lies in authenticity and connection with others.
Themes
OrdinaryLoveAuthenticityAppreciationHumility
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech on the value of humility and forming genuine connections.
More from B. B. King
All quotes →The way I feel today, as long as my health is good and I can handle myself well and people still come to my concerts, still buy my CDs, I'll keep playing until I feel like I can't.
B. B. KingRead
Everything I record, I just try to sound like me and come up with songs that suit what I do and then just go for it. I never know what the public's going to like, anyway.
B. B. KingRead
A guitar is like an old friend that is there with me.
B. B. KingRead
I have not been a good father, but no father has loved his children more. Like my father, I decided the best thing I could do for my kids was work and provide. Fortunately, I've been able to do that. Unfortunately, my work was on the road, and that's meant a life of one-nighters.
B. B. KingRead
People all over the world have problems. And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die.
B. B. KingRead
Similar quotes
I don't deny it," said Frodo, looking at Sam, who was now grinning. "I don't deny it, but I'll never believe you are sleeping again, whether you snore or not. I shall kick you hard to make sure.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
Musical people always want one to be perfectly dumb at the very moment when one is longing to be perfectly deaf.
Oscar WildeRead
A fool and his money are soon elected.
Will RogersRead
I realized that comedians of the day were operating on jokes and punch lines. The moment you say the punch line, the audience either laughs sincerely or they laugh automatically or they don't laugh. The thing that bothered me was that automatic laugh. I said, that's not real laughter.
Steve MartinRead
I only aim at the powerful. When satire is aimed at the powerless, it is not only cruel - it's vulgar.
Molly IvinsRead
Turgenev was a very serious fellow but he could make me laugh because a truth first encountered can be very funny. When someone else's truth is the same as your truth, and he seems to be saying it just for you, that's great.
Charles BukowskiRead