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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
To succeed in the blues music scene, one must be prepared for criticism and embrace a confident appearance.
B. B. King's quote highlights the dual challenges faced by blues singers: the societal judgment they may experience and the importance of maintaining a strong, confident demeanor despite it. The metaphor of dressing like you are appealing for a loan suggests that one should present themselves with a level of seriousness and intention, reflecting the gravity of their art in the face of skepticism.
Themes
BluesMusicConfidenceJudgmentArtistic Expression
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a music workshop discussing the emotional challenges of performing.
More from B. B. King
All quotes βEverything 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
When people treat you mean, you dislike them for that, but not because of their person, who they are. I was born and raised in a segregated society, but when I left there, I had nobody I disliked other than the people that'd mistreated me, and that only lasted for as long as they were mistreating me.
B. B. KingRead
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