How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?
NINA SIMONEThat’s a very high goal to have, study eight hours a day to be a concert pianist.
More Nina Simone Quotes
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I try to swim every damn day I can, and I’ve learned to scuba dive and snorkel.
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Music is a gift and a burden I’ve had since I can remember who I was.
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My job is not done. I address my songs now to the third world. I am popular all over Asia and Africa and the Middle East, not to speak of South Africa, where I’m trying to go to see Nelson Mandela.
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I think the rich will eventually have to cave in too, because the economic situation around the world is not gonna tolerate the United States being on top forever.
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The allusion was that I was actually naked. I loved that. It always, kind of shocked people enough that they became mine immediately.
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I do love to sing Jacques Brel songs, intensely. I get terribly excited, just by reading a couple of lines in any one of his songs.
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Theory and harmony broadened my mind in music. I know what music is made of.
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You’ve got to learn to leave the table When love’s no longer being served”.
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I was always a politician from the day the civil rights people chose me as their protest singer.
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It’s logical that people from bad times will reflect their feelings in their communication. Music is part of the communication. If you lived it, you can do it.
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I believe in racial memory too. I’m sure I’ve got ancient African blood in me that has something to do with what I am.
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I don’t like to go to strange places. I was in Italy for about five hours on my way to Africa.
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My singing, if you want to call it that is merely another medium of expression. Just an instrument I play. That’s how I see my voice.
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This is the world you have made yourself, now you have to live in it.
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I’m sorry that I did not become the world’s first black classic pianist. I think I would have been happier.
NINA SIMONE