Music is an art and art has its own rules.
NINA SIMONEYou can’t help it. An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.
More Nina Simone Quotes
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Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking the new inventive phrases we make up to describe things – all that to me is jazz just as much as the music we play.
NINA SIMONE -
Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.
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I think if I were over there in America, protest music would be more important. But I’m not going.
NINA SIMONE -
The allusion was that I was actually naked. I loved that. It always, kind of shocked people enough that they became mine immediately.
NINA SIMONE -
I’m sorry that I did not become the world’s first black classic pianist. I think I would have been happier.
NINA SIMONE -
It is difficult to retain your standards with the pressure of trying to make money, which always has its rules. It’s hard to walk the tightrope of doing what you think is your best and making money at it.
NINA SIMONE -
Once I understood Bach’s music, I wanted to be a concert pianist. Bach made me dedicate my life to music, and it was that teacher who introduced me to his world.
NINA SIMONE -
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.
NINA SIMONE -
It’s time to take a look at my failures and stop calling them successes. Now I can start working at something that can use me best.
NINA SIMONE -
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.
NINA SIMONE -
My name sounds French but that’s just a stage name.
NINA SIMONE -
I tell you what freedom is to me: no fear.
NINA SIMONE -
You’ve got to learn to leave the table When love’s no longer being served”.
NINA SIMONE -
Theory and harmony broadened my mind in music. I know what music is made of.
NINA SIMONE -
You don’t have to live next to me / Just give me my equality.
NINA SIMONE