I can’t stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years.
BILLIE HOLIDAYIn this country, don’t forget, a habit is no damn private hell. There’s no solitary confinement outside of jail. A habit is hell for those you love. And in this country it’s the worst kind of hell for those who love you.
More Billie Holiday Quotes
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Somebody once said we never know what is enough until we know what’s more than enough.
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All dope can do for you is kill you… the long hard way. And it can kill the people you love right along with you.
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If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling. No two people on earth are alike, and it’s got to be that way in music or it isn’t music.
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You can’t copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling.
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The difficult I’ll do right now. The impossible will take a little while.
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Sometimes it’s worse to win a fight than to lose.
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Don’t threaten me with love, baby. Let’s just go walking in the rain.
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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.
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The only reason they’re out there is to see me fall into the damn orchestra pit.
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When Lester plays, he almost seems to be singing; one can almost hear the words.
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One day a whole damn song fell into place in my head.
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I don’t think I ever sing the same way twice. The blues is sort of a mixed-up thing. You just have to feel it. Anything I do sing is part of my life.
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You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.
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The whole basis of my singing is feeling. Unless I feel something, I can’t sing.
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Them that’s got shall get, Them that’s not shall lose. So the Bible says, And it still is news. Mama may have, Papa may have, But God bless the child that’s got his own.
BILLIE HOLIDAY