You've got to have something to eat and a little love in your life before you can hold still for any damn body's sermon on how to behave.
Billie HolidayRead
I try to improvise like Les Young, Louis Armstrong or someone else I admire. What comes out is what I feel.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the importance of improvisation and personal expression in artistic endeavors.
Billie Holiday emphasizes the significance of spontaneity in art, drawing inspiration from musicians she admires like Les Young and Louis Armstrong. Her statement underscores that true artistic expression stems from one's feelings and experiences, resulting in a unique and authentic output that reflects one's inner self.
Themes
ImprovisationExpressionMusicArtFeelingsInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
During a workshop on creativity, one might quote this to encourage participants to embrace improvisation.
More from Billie Holiday
All quotes βOne day a whole damn song fell into place in my head.
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I'm always making a comeback but nobody ever tells me where I've been.
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A kiss that is never tasted, is forever and ever wasted.
Billie HolidayRead
Don't threaten me with love, baby. Let's just go walking in the rain.
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I joined Count Basie's band to make a little money and to see the world. For two years I didn't see anything but the inside of a Blue Goose bus, and I never got to send home a quarter.
Billie HolidayRead
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