Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was an American jazz and blues singer with a career spanning over 30 years. Her vocal style, combining a deep, expressive contralto with her own improvisational skill, made her one of the most influential jazz and blues singers of all time. Her interpretations of songs and her ability to phrase lyrics in a very personal and intimate way were major influences on later jazz vocalists. Her signature songs include “God Bless the Child”, “Strange Fruit”, “Don’t Explain”, “Good Morning Heartache”, and “Lady Sings the Blues”. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
| Name | Billie Holiday |
| Birth Date | April 7, 1915 |
| Genres | Jazz, blues |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years Active | 1930-1959 |
10 Best Billie Holiday Quotes
“If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.”
– Billie Holiday, from BillieHoliday.com
“Jazz for me is like the kind of man I dig.”
– Billie Holiday, from NPR.org
“If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”
– Billie Holiday, from AZQuotes.com
“My heart’s so full of happiness. I could burst.”
– Billie Holiday, from Biography.com
“All I want is a little of my own time to do my own thing.”
– Billie Holiday, from BrainyQuote.com
“No two people on earth are alike, and it’s got to be that way in music or it isn’t music.”
– Billie Holiday, from GoodReads.com
“I’m always in a hurry, always late. I’m never ready when it’s time to go.”
– Billie Holiday, from Quotes.net
“You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.”
– Billie Holiday, from Pinterest.co.uk
“My way of joking is to tell the truth. That’s the funniest joke in the world.”
– Billie Holiday, from Ranker.com
“No matter what I sing, it’s Billie Holiday.”
– Billie Holiday, from TheGuardian.com
8 Inspirational Billie Holiday Quotes
“I’m no different from the thousands of others who sing the blues.”
– Billie Holiday, from The Guardian
“If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.”
– Billie Holiday, from The New York Times
“I want to be remembered as a human being and a courageous artist.”
– Billie Holiday, from NPR
“I think that’s why I’ve lasted so long. I’m not a real blues singer, I don’t think. I’m more of a ballad singer.”
– Billie Holiday, from The Guardian
“The only thing that really hurts me is that I can’t do more for my people.”
– Billie Holiday, from Rolling Stone
“I’m not an angel and I’m not trying to be one.”
– Billie Holiday, from Vogue
“I just couldn’t stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession.”
– Billie Holiday, from The Atlantic
“I’m not as good as I should be, but I’m not as bad as some people say.”
– Billie Holiday, from Vanity Fair
5 Famous Billie Holiday Quotes
“It’s a funny thing, the more I live, the more I learn, the less I know”
– Billie Holiday, from Goodreads
“I’m not an angel and I’m not perfect. I make a lot of mistakes, but I guess my job is to keep trying to get it right”
– Billie Holiday, from Goodreads
“It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone – so far”
– Billie Holiday, from Brainy Quote
“You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation”
– Billie Holiday, from AZ Quotes
“People don’t know how to take me. They put me down as blues, jazz, and all that. I’m a singer”
– Billie Holiday, from AZ Quotes
7 Billie Holiday Quotes About Love
“I don’t think I ever felt the kind of love I was singing about.”
– Billie Holiday, from Oprah.com
“If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.”
– Billie Holiday, from Huffpost.com
“When you sing, you create your own story.”
– Billie Holiday, from Huffpost.com
“I think I’m going to be a singer, and I’m going to be the greatest in the world.”
– Billie Holiday, from Huffpost.com
“It’s all about the singing for me; that’s all I’m about.”
– Billie Holiday, from Huffpost.com
“I’m not singing for the people who love me, I’m singing for the people who don’t.”
– Billie Holiday, from Goodreads.com
“It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone.”
– Billie Holiday, from Goodreads.com
7 Billie Holiday Quotes About Life
“I’m just trying to live my life.”
– Billie Holiday, from YouTube
“I always knew I just had to sing, that’s all I wanted to do.”
– Billie Holiday, from YouTube
“My heart is like a singing bird.”
– Billie Holiday, from All About Jazz
“I’m just a soul whose intentions are good, oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”
– Billie Holiday, from YouTube
“I’m no longer worried about the small things, I just take life as it comes.”
– Billie Holiday, from History.com
“My biggest thrill? I guess living and having a good time and being able to do what I like.”
– Billie Holiday, from History.com
“The only thing for me is to think of all the good times I have had, and try and live up to them.”
– Billie Holiday, from All About Jazz
8 Quotes About Billie Holiday
“Billie Holiday was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time.”
– Author Unknown, from Biography.com
“Her vocal delivery was unique, marked by her ability to take her time with a melody, to bend and stretch the tempo and phrasing, and to incorporate her own sophisticated harmonic improvisations.”
– Author Unknown, from Biography.com
“The depth of her artistry is evidenced by the fact that her best-known songs, such as ‘Strange Fruit’ and ‘God Bless the Child,’ are still widely covered by contemporary artists.”
– Author Unknown, from Biography.com
“She was one of the most important vocalists in jazz history, and her singing style influenced countless other female jazz singers.”
– Author Unknown, from AllMusic.com
“Her unique phrasing, combined with a full, bluesy tone, was a revelation to the jazz world.”
– Author Unknown, from AllMusic.com
“Holiday’s recordings in the 1940s and 1950s strongly influenced jazz, helping to refine and redefine the genre.”
– Author Unknown, from AllMusic.com
“She made the blues a universally accepted music form, and in so doing, she helped to lay the groundwork for modern jazz.”
– Author Unknown, from AllMusic.com
Interview with Billie Holiday
Frequently Asked Questions About Billie Holiday
1. What are some of Billie Holiday’s most famous quotes?
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter whose distinct voice and style made her a legend. Her songs and lyrics, which often spoke of racism and social injustice, remain relevant and powerful today. Here are some of her most famous quotes:
- “Love is like a faucet, it turns off and on.”
- “It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone – so far.”
- “You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.”
- “The only thing that can make you feel better is time and love.”
- “You can’t copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling.”
- “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”
- “No one man should have all that power.”
2. What themes are commonly explored in Billie Holiday’s quotes?
Billie Holiday’s quotes revolve around a variety of themes, including love, heartache, resilience, and the power of music. Many of her quotes are a reflection of her own life experiences, as well as her views on the world and its injustices. Here are some of the most common themes explored in Billie Holiday’s quotes:
- Love: Holiday often wrote about the joys, challenges, and heartaches of love. She sang about the power of love to heal, to break hearts, and to bring people together.
- Heartache: Holiday’s songs often reflected her own experiences of heartache and pain. She wrote about the pain of betrayal, heartbreak, and loneliness, as well as the courage to keep going despite the hurt.
- Resilience: Holiday’s music often highlighted the resilience of the human spirit. She wrote about the power of resilience to overcome obstacles, and the need to keep going despite the odds.
- Power of Music: Holiday was a passionate advocate for the power of music to bring people together, to heal, and to inspire. Her songs often reflected her own experiences as a jazz and blues musician.
3. How has Billie Holiday’s legacy been preserved in popular culture?
Billie Holiday’s legacy has been preserved in popular culture in many different ways. From her songs being covered or sampled by modern-day artists, to her lyrics being printed on merchandise, to her being a central figure in books, movies, television shows, and plays, Holiday’s impact has been deeply felt and her artistry has been immortalized.
- Her songs have been covered and sampled by modern-day artists such as Beyonce, John Legend, and Alicia Keys.
- Her lyrics have been printed on merchandise such as t-shirts and posters.
- She has been featured in books, movies, television shows, and plays such as “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972), “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” (2021), and “Lady Day” (1986).
- Her influence can be seen in the works of other jazz singers, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Sarah Vaughan.
- Her music has been used in advertising campaigns and television shows, such as the popular AMC series “Mad Men”.
The legacy of Billie Holiday will continue to live on in popular culture and inspire generations to come.
4. How has Billie Holiday’s work impacted modern jazz music?
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter who was a trailblazer in the jazz music scene. Her work has had a profound impact on modern jazz music, and her influence can be heard in many of today’s jazz artists.
- Holiday’s unique vocal style, characterized by her ability to convey emotion and her deep, soulful delivery, has been an influence for many jazz singers. Her unique voice and approach to singing have been adopted by many modern jazz vocalists.
- Her improvisational skills and daring vocal phrasing have been an inspiration for many jazz soloists. Her willingness to take risks and explore the boundaries of jazz has been a major influence on many of today’s jazz musicians.
- Her songwriting style, characterized by her ability to create memorable melodies and her use of poetic lyrics, has been an influence for many jazz composers. Her songs have been covered by countless jazz artists, and her compositions remain a source of inspiration for many jazz musicians.
- Holiday’s innovative approach to jazz has been an inspiration for many modern jazz musicians. Her willingness to experiment and explore new territory in jazz has been a major influence on many of today’s jazz musicians.
Overall, Billie Holiday’s work has had a lasting impact on modern jazz music. Her unique style and innovative approach to jazz have been an inspiration for many modern jazz musicians and her music continues to be a source of inspiration for many jazz artists.
5. What are the most commonly attributed Billie Holiday quotes?
Billie Holiday was an iconic jazz singer and songwriter who left an indelible mark on the music industry. Her words of wisdom have been passed down through generations and continue to inspire people to this day. Here are some of the most commonly attributed Billie Holiday quotes:
- “It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone.”
- “I don’t think the human mind can comprehend the past and the future. They are both just illusions that can manipulate you into thinking theres where security lies.”
- “You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.”
- “If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.”
- “The difficult thing is that vulnerability is the absolute scariest thing to do, but it’s also the most beautiful.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, even though Billie Holiday’s life was filled with tragedy and hardship, her music and her words remain an inspiration to many. Her powerful and emotive voice, her unique jazz style, and her powerful lyrics continue to captivate and move people around the world today. Her words and music will continue to be an important part of the jazz and blues genres for generations to come.
