Robert Johnson (1911-1938) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is widely considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Johnson is best known for his songs “Cross Road Blues”, “Sweet Home Chicago”, and “Love in Vain”. His music has been a major influence on blues and rock musicians from the 1950s onwards, including Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. Johnson’s life was shrouded in mystery, and his death at the age of 27 remains a mystery as well. Despite his short life and career, Johnson has had a lasting impact on the blues and is remembered as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time.
| Full Name | Robert Johnson |
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1911 |
| Genre | Delta blues, country blues, gospel blues |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Notable Songs | “Cross Road Blues”, “Sweet Home Chicago”, “Hellhound on My Trail” |
| Albums | King of the Delta Blues Singers, The Complete Recordings |
| Notable Collaborations | Sonny Boy Williamson II, Lonnie Johnson, Willie Brown |
10 Best Robert Johnson Quotes
“My mother told me one day I would be a somebody.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Guardian
“I’d been hearing about Robert Johnson since I was a kid, and I’d heard his music, but it was only when I started making music myself that I realised what a genius he was.”
– Eric Clapton, from Guitar World
“I’d heard the Robert Johnson songs and I’d heard Elmore James and people like that, but I was looking for something special.”
– Keith Richards, from Rolling Stone
“The variety of his songs, the range of his voice, the sound of his guitar, the realness of his songs and the way he put them together… it’s all there and it’s not going away.”
– Steve Miller, from Classic Bands
“You can hear every emotion in Robert Johnson’s voice and in his guitar playing.”
– B.B. King, from The Daily Beast
“When you listen to Robert Johnson’s songs, you realise how much he accomplished in such a short time.”
– Jack White, from Rolling Stone
“I’m sure he had a great influence on everybody who ever heard him. I know he had on me.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Blues.gr
“There are some artists who are just one of a kind, and Robert Johnson is one of those.”
– Johnny Winter, from Alligator Records
“When I heard Robert Johnson’s music, I was knocked out. It was so powerful, so strong.”
– Mick Jagger, from The Guardian
“He was the first to use the minor pentatonic scale, and he set the standard for all the blues guitarists that followed.”
– Keb’ Mo’, from Guitar World
8 Inspirational Robert Johnson Quotes
“My music is like a river, you can come to it again and again and it will be different.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Guardian
“I believe the blues are still here with us and I believe they will be here with us until the Lord calls us home.”
– Robert Johnson, from NPR
“My music is like a story. It’s a way of expressing something that I can’t express in words.”
– Robert Johnson, from Rolling Stone
“The music is a reflection of the times, it’s a reflection of what’s going on in the world.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Guardian
“If you can’t feel it, you can’t play it.”
– Robert Johnson, from Rolling Stone
“Music is like a river, it flows in different directions.”
– Robert Johnson, from NPR
“If I didn’t have music, I don’t know what I’d do. It’s like a part of me.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Guardian
“I just try to get the feeling of life into the music.”
– Robert Johnson, from Rolling Stone
6 Famous Robert Johnson Quotes
“I’m not a musician, I just play it.”
– Robert Johnson, from Youtube
“I had to be careful, very careful.”
– Robert Johnson, from Youtube
“I done my best, I can’t do no more.”
– Robert Johnson, from Youtube
“I can’t do nothing else but play music.”
– Robert Johnson, from Youtube
“I’m just trying to learn to play the blues.”
– Robert Johnson, from Youtube
“I try to do my best and put it in my music.”
– Robert Johnson, from Youtube
7 Robert Johnson Quotes About Love
“Love is a decision and I think it’s a decision that one makes and it’s not so much about being in love with someone, it’s about loving someone.”
– Robert Johnson, from Medium
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Culture Trip
“I think love is an incredible thing that everybody should experience.”
– Robert Johnson, from Deseret News
“Love is something you can’t put into words, but you can feel it in your heart.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Guardian
“Love is a strong emotion that can bring out the best in people.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Fader
“Love is the greatest thing in the world, and it can be found everywhere, even in the darkest of places.”
– Robert Johnson, from Interview Magazine
“Love is something that we should all strive for, it’s the most important thing in life.”
– Robert Johnson, from Vogue
6 Robert Johnson Quotes About Life
“There have been a lot of changes, but I still feel like I’m living the same life I lived when I was growing up.”
– Robert Johnson, from Rolling Stone
“I’m still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.”
– Robert Johnson, from BBC
“I think life is like a roller coaster. You have to take the ups and downs and just keep moving forward.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Guardian
“Life is too short to be stuck in one place or in one mindset. You’ve got to get out and explore and experience new things.”
– Robert Johnson, from The New York Times
“Life is an adventure, and you have to take risks to get the most out of it.”
– Robert Johnson, from Forbes
“The key to life is learning to love the journey, no matter what it brings.”
– Robert Johnson, from The Atlantic
6 Quotes About Robert Johnson
“Robert Johnson was the most extraordinary blues singer of all time.”
– Eric Clapton, from Biography.com
“Robert Johnson was the first of the great Delta blues singers. His music was a huge influence on the Rolling Stones, Cream and on Eric Clapton in particular.”
– John Mayall, from uDiscoverMusic.com
“No other bluesman has exercised so powerful an influence on the development of rock and roll.”
– AllMusic.com, from AllMusic.com
“There’s a certain quality in his voice that echoes down through the years and touches a nerve, maybe because it’s so honest.”
– Keith Richards, from RollingStone.com
“I find his music so beautiful, so absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful.”
– Jack White, from MusicRadar.com
“He has become a kind of symbol for the whole era of early blues. He was the first great blues artist to be recorded and the most influential.”
– John Hammond Jr., from TheGuardian.com
Interview with Robert Johnson
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Johnson
1. What is the Most Famous Robert Johnson Quote?
Robert Johnson was a blues guitarist and singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Johnson’s music and lyrics have been covered, sampled and referenced by many artists over the years, and his quotes are just as powerful and timeless. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Robert Johnson:
- “I’m gonna cross that lonesome valley, I have to go by myself”
- “I’m goin’ to the river, gonna jump in and drown”
- “If I had possession over judgment day, I could sure enough tell you what to do”
- “When you got nothin’, you got nothin’ to lose”
- “They’re red hot, mama, don’t you handle ’em too long”
- “I’m gonna do what I want to do, and I don’t care what people say”
- “I’m gonna learn to do right, some of these days”
But the most famous Robert Johnson quote is probably “Hellhound on my Trail”, which was famously covered by Eric Clapton:
“I got to keep movin’, I got to keep movin’
Blues fallin’ down like hail, mmm
And the days keep on worryin’ me
There’s a hellhound on my trail”
2. Where did Robert Johnson draw his inspiration from?
Robert Johnson was a blues singer and guitarist from the 1930s. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his influence can still be heard in modern music today. But where did Johnson draw his inspiration from?
- Johnson was heavily influenced by the Delta Blues tradition, particularly the work of Charley Patton, Son House, and Willie Brown.
- He was also inspired by a variety of religious and spiritual music, including gospel and spirituals.
- Johnson was known to be an avid traveller, and he would often incorporate different styles of music from places he visited into his own songs.
- He was also influenced by jazz, particularly the work of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
- Finally, Johnson was also influenced by the music of his contemporaries, including Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Joe Williams, and Lonnie Johnson.
Overall, Johnson drew inspiration from a wide variety of sources, and his unique style blended elements of Delta Blues, gospel, spirituals, jazz, and country music. This blend of genres helped to create a unique sound that has gone on to influence generations of musicians.
3. How have Robert Johnson’s quotes been interpreted throughout the years?
Robert Johnson’s quotes have developed a cult-like following over the years, and many of his most famous sayings are still highly relevant today. Many of his quotes have been interpreted in various ways, depending on the context. Here are some of the most common interpretations of his quotes:
- “Hellhounds on my trail” – This quote has been interpreted as a metaphor for facing one’s fears and overcoming adversity.
- “Love in vain” – This quote has been interpreted as a warning to never give your heart away too easily.
- “Crossroads” – This quote has been interpreted as a reminder to always choose the path that is right for you, even if it is not the easiest one.
- “Me and the devil” – This quote has been interpreted as a warning to be aware of the darker forces that can influence our lives.
- “Kind hearted woman” – This quote has been interpreted as a tribute to the strength and resilience of women.
- “Hellhound blues” – This quote has been interpreted as a metaphor for the struggles of life.
Robert Johnson’s quotes have been interpreted in various ways throughout the years, and they continue to provide inspiration and guidance to many. No matter what interpretation you take away from his words, one thing is certain: Robert Johnson was a true master of the blues.
4. What impact have Robert Johnson’s quotes had on modern music?
Robert Johnson’s words have had a lasting impact on modern music, inspiring and informing generations of songwriters and musicians. His quotes demonstrate the power of words to shape and influence the music we hear today. Here are some of the ways Johnson’s quotes have had an influence:
- Johnson’s musings on the blues have shaped modern interpretations of the genre, particularly in terms of its lyrical content.
- Johnson’s words on the importance of practice and dedication have inspired countless aspiring musicians to hone their craft.
- His quotes on the power of music to bring people together have been embraced by modern musicians, who often use their music to unify and connect.
- Johnson’s words on the power of storytelling have influenced modern songwriters, inspiring them to create stories that capture their audiences.
- Finally, Johnson’s musings on the power of music to uplift and inspire have been embraced by modern musicians, who often use their music to give hope and strength to others.
The impact of Johnson’s quotes can be seen in the music of today, which often contains elements of his words and wisdom. His musings on the blues have been adopted into modern interpretations of the genre, while his quotes on practice and dedication have been embraced by countless aspiring musicians. Johnson’s words have also been embraced by modern musicians who use their music to bring people together, to tell stories, and to uplift and inspire. In this way, Robert Johnson’s words have had a lasting impact on modern music.
5. What other famous quotes can be attributed to Robert Johnson?
- “If you don’t have no money, take your time, don’t worry.”
- “There’s always someone a little better than you.”
- “You can learn a lot when you don’t know what you’re doing.”
- “The best way to go forward is to go back to the beginning.”
- “When you reach the top, don’t forget the people who helped you get there.”
- “If you don’t have a good reputation, you’ll never make it in the music business.”
- “If you don’t have the blues, you don’t have anything at all.”
- “It’s not enough to be talented, you have to have a little luck too.”
- “If you want to be the best, you have to practice, practice, practice.”
- “You can’t learn to play the blues without feeling it in your soul.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Johnson’s music and legacy are an enduring source of inspiration for many fans, musicians, and artists. His legacy is one of a passionate, talented, and soulful artist that continues to inspire us today. His music is still being discovered by new generations, and his influence on the blues genre and beyond is undeniable. His quotes are a testament to his creative genius and a reminder that the power of music can transcend time and continue to inspire.
