The blues tells a story. Every line of the blues has a meaning.
John Lee HookerRead
When I die, they'll bury the blues with me. But the blues will never die.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the enduring nature of blues music, suggesting that while individual artists may pass away, the art form itself remains eternal.
In this quote, John Lee Hooker expresses the idea that although he, like all people, will eventually die and leave the world, the blues music he represents will continue to live on. This highlights the power and impact of music as a cultural legacy that transcends individual existence, showing that art can persist long after its creators are gone.
In practice
Using it in a speech about the importance of musical heritage.
The blues tells a story. Every line of the blues has a meaning.
Like you and your woman ain't gettin' along and you're in love. You can't sleep at nights. Your mind is on her - on whatever. You know, that's the blues. You can't hug that money at night. You can't kiss it.
I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks.
They wasn't gonna give you nothin'. I didn't care as long as they let me play my music. Cash on the spot... You cheat me and I'm gonna get me some money, too.
You can go to Europe, and there's no turnin' back - any parts of Europe. Wherever you are, there is no stop and go for the blues. The blues go but it don't stop.
I don't think about time. You're here when you're here. I think about today, staying in tune.
In an age of incompetence, I've been able to last in this crazy business. I actually know how to play my ax and write a song. That's my job.
What has Rock and Roll ever done for us? Everything.
When you sing, you pray twice.
My dad would always ask, 'How's the money?' but I was never interested. Millions came and went, stolen by the robbers in the music industry. But as someone said, 'You'll never be poor as long as you can pick up a guitar.'
I have all the patience in the world about Sirens. For me it's not a Grateful Dead project, it's a Me project.
When I was eight, my piano teacher played seven or eight notes, and I sang them. She stopped and looked at me in shock! That was the first time I'd gotten that reaction. I'd had looks of horror, but never shock in a positive way.
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