Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American country music singer. Part of the late 1950s and early 1960s Nashville sound, Cline successfully “crossed over” to pop music and was one of the most influential, successful, and acclaimed vocalists of the 20th century. She died at the age of 30 in a multiple-fatality crash of the private plane of her manager, Randy Hughes. Cline was known for her rich tone, emotionally expressive and bold contralto voice, and her role as a pioneer of the Nashville sound.
| Full Name | Patsy Cline |
| Date of Birth | September 8, 1932 |
| Genres | Country, Pop, Rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano |
| Labels | Decca, Four Star |
10 Best Patsy Cline Quotes
“I was just an ordinary singer. I had a style of my own, but I didn’t think I was different from anybody else.”
– Patsy Cline, from Rolling Stone
“People try to compare me to other singers, but I don’t even like to compare myself to other singers.”
– Patsy Cline, from Rolling Stone
“I just sing how I feel.”
– Patsy Cline, from Southern Living
“I don’t feel like I’m really a star, just an ordinary person with a good voice.”
– Patsy Cline, from Southern Living
“I don’t try to be different. I just am.”
– Patsy Cline, from Quotes.net
“I’m not trying to be a star. I’m just trying to be a singer.”
– Patsy Cline, from Discogs
“I’m still the same old me.”
– Patsy Cline, from Discogs
“It’s not the way I sing that makes me a star, it’s the songs I sing.”
– Patsy Cline, from Brainy Quote
“I’m just a country girl at heart.”
– Patsy Cline, from Brainy Quote
“I don’t try to be offbeat. That’s just me.”
– Patsy Cline, from Brainy Quote
6 Inspirational Patsy Cline Quotes
“I think I’m a good entertainer. I try to please the people, and I think that’s the most important thing.”
– Patsy Cline, from Record World Magazine
“I’m still learning, still trying to perfect my performance.”
– Patsy Cline, from Record World Magazine
“I’m not a great singer but I’m a good entertainer and I think I have a lot of feeling for my songs.”
– Patsy Cline, from The Guardian
“I never sing a song the same way twice.”
– Patsy Cline, from Grammy.com
“I try to find something different in each song I sing.”
– Patsy Cline, from Grammy.com
“I’m not a great singer, but I’m a good entertainer and I think I have a lot of feeling for my songs.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography.com
6 Famous Patsy Cline Quotes
“I don’t want to be a star, I just want to be a singer.”
– Patsy Cline, from Patsified
“I only record what I can feel.”
– Patsy Cline, from Patsified
“I’ve got more guts than a lot of people think.”
– Patsy Cline, from Variety
“Once I start singing a song, I feel like I’m in another world.”
– Patsy Cline, from Britannica
“You have to believe in yourself and go with your heart.”
– Patsy Cline, from Grammy
“I’ve been in love with country music all my life.”
– Patsy Cline, from Grammy
7 Patsy Cline Quotes About Love
“I think love can last forever if you want it to.”
– Patsy Cline, from GRAMMY.com
“I think real love is when you can be with someone and still have a part of yourself, and yet still be together.”
– Patsy Cline, from GRAMMY.com
“It takes a lot more than love to make a happy home.”
– Patsy Cline, from The Guardian
“I’m a romantic at heart. I believe in love and faithfulness and devotion.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography.com
“Love is a lot like a oil painting—it needs to be worked on and touched up every once in a while.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography.com
“You have to give love the time it needs to grow.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography.com
“Love is never easy. It’s like a battlefield.”
– Patsy Cline, from GRAMMY.com
8 Patsy Cline Quotes About Life
“When I sing, I believe. I’m honest.”
– Patsy Cline, from Fast Company
“I’m just an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams.”
– Patsy Cline, from NPR
“I love the music I’m singing, and I’m trying my best.”
– Patsy Cline, from NPR
“I love to perform. I think that’s what I’m here for.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography
“I think I’m here on this earth to do my very best.”
– Patsy Cline, from Fast Company
“I’ve been sent here to do a job, and I’m gonna do it to the best of my ability.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography
“I’m just a country girl from Winchester, and I’m very proud of it.”
– Patsy Cline, from Biography
“I’m here to do a job, and if I can’t do it better than anybody else, I won’t do it at all.”
– Patsy Cline, from Fast Company
7 Quotes About Patsy Cline
“Patsy Cline was the queen of country music.”
– Loretta Lynn, from Biography
“Patsy Cline’s voice was so powerful it could silence an entire room.”
– Dolly Parton, from Biography
“Patsy Cline was the first real female superstar in country music.”
– Reba McEntire, from Biography
“Patsy Cline was the most important female singer in the history of country music.”
– Chet Atkins, from Biography
“Patsy Cline was a beacon of light in a time when it was hard to be a woman in the music business.”
– Kacey Musgraves, from Rolling Stone
“Patsy Cline was the first female country singer to cross over into pop music.”
– Emmylou Harris, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Patsy Cline
Frequently Asked Questions About Patsy Cline
1. What is the Most Famous Patsy Cline Quote?
Patsy Cline was an American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential artists of all time. Her music and lyrics are timeless and her quotes are just as inspiring today as they were when they were first uttered. Here are some of the most famous Patsy Cline quotes:
- “I fall to pieces, each time I see you again”
- “Just a closer walk with thee”
- “Crazy”
- “I don’t want to set the world on fire”
- “Walkin’ after midnight”
- “Faded love”
- “Sweet dreams of you”
- “She’s got you”
- “You belong to me”
- “Back in baby’s arms”
The most famous Patsy Cline quote is arguably “Crazy,” which was released in 1961 and became the title track of her second studio album. The song was written by Willie Nelson and is still one of her most recognizable songs today. It perfectly encapsulates the heartache of a broken relationship and has been covered by many artists since its release.
2. What kind of music did Patsy Cline sing?
Patsy Cline was an American country music singer and songwriter who achieved immense popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. She was known for her emotionally expressive contralto voice. Cline was an influential artist who is credited with helping to create the Nashville sound, which incorporated elements of traditional honky-tonk, pop, and jazz. Her musical style included:
- Country
- Honky-tonk
- Pop
- Jazz
- Blues
- Gospel
Cline recorded a total of nine studio albums, and charted singles during her lifetime. She died in a plane crash in 1963 at the peak of her career. Cline’s music continues to be widely celebrated and she is one of the most celebrated female country music singers of all time.
3. What year did Patsy Cline make her first recording?
Patsy Cline made her first recording in 1955. She signed with Four Star Records and released her first single, “Walkin’ After Midnight,” in 1957. The single became a top-ten hit and provided the launching pad for her career.
Throughout her career, Patsy Cline released many singles, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” and “Sweet Dreams (Of You).” These songs became some of the most popular country songs of all time and cemented Patsy Cline’s place in music history.
Below are some of Patsy Cline’s most famous quotes:
- “I don’t care what you say about me, just be sure to spell my name right.”
- “I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene.”
- “You’ve got to be an original if you want to be a classic.”
- “I can’t stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years. If you can, then it ain’t music, it’s close-order drill or exercise or yodeling or something, not music.”
4. How did Patsy Cline’s career influence country music?
Patsy Cline’s career had a huge impact on the country music industry. She was one of the first female country singers to cross over into mainstream pop music, bridging the gap between the two genres. Here are some of the ways that Patsy Cline’s career influenced country music:
- She was one of the first female country singers to achieve mainstream success with her unique style and sound.
- She was the first country singer to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Her songs, such as “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “Crazy,” were widely covered by other country artists.
- She popularized the classic country sound, with its steel guitar, fiddle, and mandolin accompaniment.
- She was the first female country singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, paving the way for other female country singers.
- Her crossover success helped to popularize country music and expand its audience.
Patsy Cline’s influence on country music and popular music in general cannot be overstated. Her unique style and sound were revolutionary, and she paved the way for many other female country singers. Her legacy is still felt in the country music world today.
5. What honors have been awarded to Patsy Cline posthumously?
Patsy Cline was a beloved and iconic country singer who left an indelible mark on the genre. Her music has been honored posthumously in a variety of ways. Here are some of the awards and honors she has received:
- Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973
- Named one of the 30 all-time greatest women in country music by CMT in 2002
- Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973
- Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 for “Crazy”
- Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Country Music in 1993
- Named one of the top 10 greatest vocalists of all-time by Rolling Stone in 2008
Conclusion
Patsy Cline is a timeless icon in the world of country music. Her iconic songs, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating performances are a testament to the love and passion she held for the genre. Her ability to move audiences still resonates today and her quotes continue to inspire. From her thoughts on love, life, and the pursuit of happiness to her musings on taking risks and living life to the fullest, Patsy Cline’s words are timeless. Her legacy will live on for years to come and her words will continue to inspire generations of country music fans.
