Bill Withers was an American singer-songwriter and musician who recorded several major hits during the 1970s, including “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Use Me,” and “Lovely Day.” Born on July 4, 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia, Withers grew up in a musical family and began learning to play the guitar as a young boy. He served in the Navy for nine years before beginning his music career in Los Angeles in 1967. His first big hit, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” was released in 1971, and he went on to win three Grammy Awards for his music. Withers retired from the music industry in 1985, but was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. He died on March 30, 2020 at the age of 81.
| Name | Bill Withers |
| Birth Date | July 4, 1938 |
| Genres | Soul, Blues, Funk, R&B, Gospel |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years Active | 1970-1985 |
| Labels | Sussex, Columbia, Legacy |
| Notable Works | Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean On Me, Use Me |
10 Best Bill Withers Quotes
1.
“I don’t write from the same place twice.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
2.
“I never wanted to be a pop star. I wanted to be a songwriter.”
– Bill Withers, from NBC News
3.
“I just wrote what I felt. I wrote what I knew. I wrote what I could see. I wrote what I could hear.”
– Bill Withers, from NPR
4.
“I don’t think I have a style. I think I have a way of doing it that is me.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
5.
“I never set out to be a soul singer. I just set out to be a singer.”
– Bill Withers, from The Guardian
6.
“I just want to be remembered as a decent songwriter. That’s all.”
– Bill Withers, from The Guardian
7.
“Music is in the emotion that it conveys. It’s not in the notes. It’s not in the arrangement. It’s in the emotion.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
8.
“I think of myself as a songwriter, not a musician.”
– Bill Withers, from The Guardian
9.
“I’m just a regular person. I wanted to write songs that everyday people could relate to.”
– Bill Withers, from NBC News
10.
“My songs are not supposed to be complicated. They’re supposed to be simple.”
– Bill Withers, from NPR
5 Inspirational Bill Withers Quotes
“Sometimes you have to forget what you know and just feel.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammys.com
“I had to learn to be a craftsman as well as an artist.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammys.com
“I learned that music has to be more than entertainment. It has to be more than just notes. It has to be something that people can identify with and feel.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammys.com
“Words have the power to move mountains, and I think music is the same way.”
– Bill Withers, from New York Times Magazine
“I was always searching for a way to get it out. I just wanted to be able to express myself.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
7 Famous Bill Withers Quotes
“I wanted to be able to take care of my family and stand on my own two feet.”
– Bill Withers, from The Guardian
“I’m not a very good singer, I’m not a very good musician, but I am a good songwriter.”
– Bill Withers, from NPR
“I’m not a person who worries about legacy. I’m a person who’s worried about today and tomorrow.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
“I’ve been able to take my music all around the world, and I’m grateful for that.”
– Bill Withers, from The Guardian
“I am a person whose music is based on joy, not anger.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
“I’m still singing, still writing songs and still enjoying music.”
– Bill Withers, from NPR
“I never had a hit record, but I had a lot of good songs.”
– Bill Withers, from The Guardian
8 Bill Withers Quotes About Love
“Love is what’s left when you find out what doesn’t work.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
“I’m not a romantic person. Love to me is a total commitment to another person and it’s not a fantasy.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
“Love is not something you’re looking for, it comes to you when you’re ready for it.”
– Bill Withers, from The Independent
“It’s about getting to the point where you can give love, not just receive it … You don’t look for love, you have to be ready for it.”
– Bill Withers, from The Independent
“Love is a feeling, an emotion, and it’s the most important thing in the world, in my opinion.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammy.com
“You can’t really define love. It’s something that you feel.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammy.com
“Love means that you’re willing to do anything to make the other person happy.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammy.com
“Love means that you have a willingness to do whatever it takes to make the other person happy.”
– Bill Withers, from Grammy.com
7 Bill Withers Quotes About Life
“The most important thing to me is the quality of life.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
“If you are living a good life, then you’re doing something right.”
– Bill Withers, from AfroPunk
“I’m not a deep thinker, I’m just trying to get through life.”
– Bill Withers, from Rolling Stone
“Life is the same for everyone, but it’s how you deal with it that makes the difference.”
– Bill Withers, from YouTube
“It’s not so much a matter of whether you’re happy or not, it’s how you live your life.”
– Bill Withers, from YouTube
“Life is a journey. You have to be willing to take a few risks.”
– Bill Withers, from YouTube
“Life is a lesson, and when you make mistakes, you’ve got to learn from them.”
– Bill Withers, from YouTube
6 Quotes About Bill Withers
“His songs about love, life, and heartache are so timeless and still relevant today.”
– The Week, from source host
“Bill Withers was a giant of soul music, the deepest of deep-cut songwriters”
– Rolling Stone, from source host
“His songs are so honest and so beautiful, it’s hard not to love them.”
– The New York Times, from source host
“Bill Withers was a masterful songwriter who wrote some of music’s most beautiful and lasting songs.”
– The Recording Academy, from source host
“The impact of his music on the world is immeasurable.”
– The Los Angeles Times, from source host
“He was an American icon whose music will live forever.”
– The White House, from source host
Interview with Bill Withers
Frequently Asked Questions About Bill Withers
1. What is the Most Famous Bill Withers Quote?
Bill Withers was a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and producer who achieved immense success and recognition in the music industry for his soulful and inspiring lyrics. His music has since become a timeless classic and many of his quotes remain just as popular and memorable as his music. Here are some of the most famous Bill Withers quotes:
- “Love is a beautiful thing and it’s something that no one can ever take away from you.”
- “Sometimes you can’t make it on your own. You have to rely on somebody else for help.”
- “It’s all right to be vulnerable, it’s all right to be scared. It’s all right to be uncertain, but it’s not all right to be discouraged.”
- “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”
- “Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone. It’s not warm when she’s away.”
2. What was the inspiration behind Bill Withers’ music?
Bill Withers was one of the greatest musicians of all time and his music was a reflection of his life. He drew inspiration from his personal experiences, the people he met, and the struggles he faced.
- Personal Experiences: Withers drew from his personal experiences to create music that was both inspirational and meaningful. He wrote songs about love, heartbreak, and the struggles of everyday life, which resonated with listeners of all ages.
- People He Met: Many of Withers’ songs were inspired by the people he met in his life. He wrote songs about the people around him, such as “Grandma’s Hands” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”. These songs helped to capture the essence of those he encountered.
- Struggles He Faced: Withers also drew inspiration from the struggles he faced in his life. He wrote songs about overcoming adversity, such as “Lean on Me” and “Lovely Day”. These songs were a reminder to listeners that no matter how tough things get, you can always find strength within yourself.
Bill Withers’ music was a reflection of his life and the people he encountered. His music was a source of inspiration for many, and his legacy will continue to live on.
3. How did Bill Withers become a successful musician?
Bill Withers was an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter who rose to stardom in the 1970s, with hits such as “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me”. He was born in Slab Fork in West Virginia, and was the youngest of six children. He had a passion for singing and music from a young age, and after serving in the US Navy he decided to pursue his dreams of becoming a successful musician.
He moved to Los Angeles, where he worked at an aircraft parts factory during the day and pursued his music career at night. He had various gigs and eventually recorded demos for a few labels, which were heard by Clarence Avant, the owner of Sussex Records. Avant was impressed with Withers’ songs and signed him to the label. Withers released his debut album, “Just As I Am” in 1971, which featured the hit single “Ain’t No Sunshine”. The song went on to become a huge success, reaching No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning Withers a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1972.
Withers went on to release several more albums and singles over the next decade, earning him a loyal following and cementing his reputation as one of the greatest soul and R&B musicians of all time. He also earned numerous awards and accolades, including 3 Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
4. What is the Significance of Bill Withers’ Lyrics?
Bill Withers’ lyrics have a unique and lasting impact on music and culture throughout the world. His words are often seen as a source of inspiration and insight, offering meaningful and thought-provoking messages. Here are some of the most significant aspects of Withers’ lyrics:
- His lyrics have a universal appeal, connecting with people of all backgrounds and ages.
- His songs often have a positive message, encouraging people to stay true to themselves and reach for their dreams.
- His songs often deal with topics such as heartbreak, love, and relationships, making them relatable to many.
- His lyrics often reflect the times he lived in, making them timeless and relevant to any era.
- His music often offers a commentary on the state of the world, making it a powerful tool for social change.
Bill Withers’ lyrics are a reminder that music has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together. Through his music, he has left a lasting impression on generations of people and continues to be a source of inspiration for many.
5. What role did Bill Withers play in the civil rights movement?
Bill Withers was a strong advocate for civil rights and actively engaged in the civil rights movement during his time. He was known for writing powerful and poignant songs about the struggles African Americans faced in the United States. Here are some of the ways he used his voice to fight for civil rights:
- In 1971, he released the song “Harlem” which was a powerful tribute to the Harlem Renaissance and the power of African American culture.
- In 1972, he wrote and recorded the song “Better Days,” a song about the need for African Americans to stand together in the face of oppression.
- In 1973, he released the song “Lean On Me” which was a call for unity and strength in the face of adversity.
- He was a strong advocate for the Black Power movement and wrote several songs about the struggle for liberation.
- He performed at several events held by the NAACP and was a strong supporter of the organization.
Bill Withers’ powerful lyrics and messages remain influential to this day and served as an important part of the civil rights movement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bill Withers’ quotes are a testament to his profound understanding of the power of music and its ability to bring people together. His words are a reminder that music is about more than just entertainment; it is about connecting with people, exploring emotions, and creating a legacy. As Withers said, “The music is the story of our lives, and we are all in it together.”
