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 call myself a blues singer, but you ain't never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses B. B. King's identity as a blues singer while downplaying his role as a guitarist.
B. B. King highlights the significance of his vocal artistry in the blues genre. While he is also an accomplished guitarist, he emphasizes that his primary identity lies in his singing, suggesting that the emotional expression and storytelling inherent in his vocals are what truly define him as an artist.
Themes
BluesSingingIdentityMusicArtist
In practice
Example use cases
In a music workshop teaching the importance of vocal expression, this quote could inspire participants to find their unique voice.
More from B. B. King
All quotes βThe 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
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