Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. She started playing piano at the age of four and was classically trained. She later branched out into jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. Simone’s distinctive voice combined elements of jazz, blues, and soul. She was known for her improvisational skills as well as her powerful and emotive singing. She was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, performing at civil rights marches and benefits, and she wrote a number of protest songs. Her music has had a major influence on subsequent generations of musicians.
| Name | Nina Simone |
| Date of Birth | 1933 |
| Genre | Jazz, Blues, Soul, Folk, Classical |
| Instruments | Piano, Vocals |
| Labels | Bethlehem, Colpix, Philips, RCA |
| Notable Albums | Little Girl Blue, The Amazing Nina Simone, Nina Simone Sings the Blues, Silk & Soul |
| Notable Songs | “Feeling Good”, “My Baby Just Cares for Me”, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, “I Put a Spell on You” |
10 Best Nina Simone Quotes
“The only thing that I’m here for is to make music and to give something to the world.”
– Nina Simone, from The Independent
“I was told to be quiet, and I never was, and so I had to suffer the consequences.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“I have no fear whatsoever of any kind of music.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“My message is still relevant. It’s still the same.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.”
– Nina Simone, from Washington Post
“I have a duty to promote peace, because I think music is the only thing that can do it.”
– Nina Simone, from Washington Post
“I’m black, I’m proud. I’m strong, I’m loud.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“I always believe that no matter what your age is or what your color is, that you have a right to be treated as a human being.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
7 Inspirational Nina Simone Quotes
“I think it’s so important that one should be oneself, you know. I think that that’s probably the hardest thing to be”
– Nina Simone, from YouTube
“Nobody can ever make you feel inferior without your consent”
– Nina Simone, from YouTube
“There’s no excuse for the young people not knowing who the heroes and heroines are or were”
– Nina Simone, from YouTube
“You have to have something inside that you can give out to make it last”
– Nina Simone, from YouTube
“I’m not going to be limited by other people’s smallness”
– Nina Simone, from YouTube
“I decided that I was going to be an artist and that I was going to be free”
–Nina Simone, from YouTube
“It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times”
– Nina Simone, from YouTube
7 Famous Nina Simone Quotes
“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.”
– Nina Simone, from BBC
“I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have some things I’d like to do first.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“I will never be an old lady. To become old is not my business.”
– Nina Simone, from Jezebel
“I think that if you do something for yourself and if you believe in it, you should try to do it. You just go for it.”
– Nina Simone, from New York Times
“I’m not interested in having an audience. I’m not interested in being famous. I’m interested in studying, learning, and doing the difficult things.”
– Nina Simone, from Vogue
“I don’t want to be a legend; I am an activist.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“My music was never given its due recognition because of the color of my skin.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
5 Nina Simone Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– Nina Simone, from Grammy.com
“I wanted to be loved and I wanted to love.”
– Nina Simone, from NPR.org
“Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.”
– Nina Simone, from Britannica.com
“Love is what I had to give. I was brought up that way.”
– Nina Simone, from Vogue.com
“Love is like a river, it cuts a new path whenever it meets an obstacle.”
– Nina Simone, from The New York Times
5 Nina Simone Quotes About Life
“The truth is, I never wanted to be famous. I wanted to be great.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“I have one goal, to be able to look at myself in the mirror every morning and be able to find myself beautiful, inside and out.”
– Nina Simone, from Vogue
“I don’t want to be a victim of racism. I want to be an example of how to beat it.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
“I don’t have to worry about being pretty, or about being called beautiful. That part of my life is over. I can concentrate on being a musician.”
– Nina Simone, from Jazzwax
“I’m a black woman, and I’m proud of it. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t try to run away from it.”
– Nina Simone, from The Guardian
8 Quotes About Nina Simone
1.
“Nina Simone was a messenger of truth who used her art to serenade and challenge the conscience of all people.”
– Alicia Keys, from Biography.com
2.
“She had the ability to reach right inside your soul, to the depths of your being.”
– Harry Belafonte, from Biography.com
3.
“Nina Simone was an innovator, a pioneer, and an important part of the Civil Rights Movement. She was a genius.”
– Lauryn Hill, from BrainyQuote.com
4.
“A storyteller of the highest order, Nina Simone’s music is as relevant today as it was in the 1950s and ’60s.”
– Barack Obama, from Grammy.com
5.
“Nina Simone was an artist of such profound depth, of such unique inspiration and insight that her music remains timeless.”
– Quincy Jones, from Grammy.com
6.
“Nina Simone was a revolutionary spirit, a courageous artist and a powerful voice for change.”
– Erykah Badu, from Grammy.com
7.
“She was a voice for the civil rights movement and her music remains a source of inspiration in the fight for racial equality.”
– Dionne Warwick, from RollingStone.com
8.
“Nina Simone was an artist with a voice of strength, conviction, and power that inspired many.”
– Mary J. Blige, from Grammy.com
Interview with Nina Simone
Frequently Asked Questions About Nina Simone
1. What are some of the most famous Nina Simone quotes?
Nina Simone was an iconic American singer-songwriter, musician, and civil rights activist who used her music and lyrics to address the struggles of African Americans and other minority groups. Her powerful words and messages are still quoted and remembered today. Here are some of her most famous quotes:
- “It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times.”
- “I’ll tell you what freedom is to me- No Fear.”
- “Do I look depressed? I’m not. I’m not a tragic figure, I’m a triumphant figure.”
- “I’m no longer concerned with sensation and innovation, I’m concerned with beauty and emotion.”
- “I’m nobody’s savior. I’m a woman who’s just trying to survive.”
- “I’m not afraid to be alone. I’m afraid of being surrounded by the wrong people.”
- “I sing for the forgotten, the downtrodden and the rejected.”
- “It’s not about the money, it’s about respect.”
- “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me and I’m feeling good.”
- “We are all the same in the dark. We are all equal in the light.”
2. What is the source of the quote “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times”?
The source of the quote “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times” is a speech given by Nina Simone at the Salle Pleyel in Paris on May 11, 1968.
- Date: May 11, 1968
- Event: Speech at Salle Pleyel in Paris
- Speaker: Nina Simone
3. How did Nina Simone’s Music Influence the Civil Rights Movement?
Nina Simone’s music has had a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement, with her powerful lyrics and soulful voice providing a voice for the civil rights struggle of the 1950s and 60s. Her music was a source of inspiration and hope for many African-Americans. Here are some ways that her music influenced the Civil Rights Movement:
- Her music expressed the pain, frustration and anger of African-Americans in the face of injustice and discrimination.
- Her songs provided a rallying cry for the civil rights struggle, offering hope and empowerment to those who felt oppressed.
- Her music served as a platform for her to address important issues of the day, such as the fight for civil rights and the importance of education.
- Her music was a source of comfort and inspiration for civil rights activists, giving them the courage and strength to keep fighting for justice.
- Her music was used as a rallying point for people to come together and work towards a common cause; the fight for civil rights.
Nina Simone’s music was an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement, providing a voice for the voiceless and giving hope to those who felt despair. Her music became a beacon of light in the darkness of bigotry and hatred.
4. What themes did Nina Simone explore in her music?
Nina Simone was a powerful storyteller who used her music to explore social, political, and racial themes. She often addressed topics such as racism, civil rights, and women’s rights throughout her work. Simone’s music was a form of protest and a means of fighting back against oppression.
Some of the themes Nina Simone explored in her music include:
- Racism
- Civil rights
- Women’s rights
- Social injustice
- Violence
- Oppression
- Love and relationships
- Personal struggles
- Religion and spirituality
Simone’s music was deeply personal and often reflected her experiences living in a society that was hostile to black people. She used her music to challenge the status quo and to speak out against injustice.
5. What is the significance of Nina Simone’s lyrics and writings?
Nina Simone’s lyrics and writings have been a major source of inspiration and solace for many people. Her words speak to the struggles of being an outsider, of being a black woman, of the power of love and the truth of pain. Her music was an expression of her deepest emotions, her protest against injustice, and her hope for a better world.
- Simone’s lyrics are a powerful expression of her own experiences and emotions.
- Her words speak to the struggles of being an outsider, of being a black woman, and of the power of love.
- Her music was an expression of her protest against injustice and her hope for a better world.
- Simone’s writings have been a major source of inspiration and solace for many people.
- Her work has been a powerful force for social change and for uniting people of all backgrounds.
Conclusion
Nina Simone was an influential artist who used her music to express her beliefs and her emotions. Her music is a powerful reminder that the power of expression is a force that can be used to promote positive change. She left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to inspire and influence today’s generation. Her music transcends time and culture, and her influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.
