Famous quotes

Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,808 quotes Who coined it · How we decide

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“The vagrant moon trailed through the town and I tagged along, nurturing within me unfulfillable dreams and dissonant songs.”
Isaac Babel (1894–1940) said by 1940 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is actually, in a way, an incredibly mundane experience. Not everyone has a heart attack but everyone has something or other, so I'm not remotely special. Just because I write songs doesn't make it a better or worse near-death experience.”
Peter Hammill (born 1948) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Mike Barnes, The Wire, March 2007
“I did in the beginning. It helped me to cultivate some kind of female persona. I took a lot of different aspects of my character from my childhood or young-womanhood and elaborated on them. The guys were also writing songs, and I felt like I had to portray what they were writing and appreciate the male point of view as well as the female point of view.”
Debbie Harry (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It will never end, I hope-whatever "it" is. The gift, the quest, the visions, the dreams in secret languages. The songs and the storytelling. It will never end; it is still writing itself.”
Jessica Hagedorn (born 1949) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Introduction to Danger and Beauty (1993)
“We must take care to feed the minds, hearts, and spirits of those coming up behind us--to offer songs, poems, and stories that will break open that which is hardened, expose that which is evil-minded or would harm, and remind us how we are constructed to bring forth beauty of thought and beingness.”
Joy Harjo (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Poetry is the culture of a people. We are poets even when we don’t write poems; just look at our life, our rhythms, our tenderness, our signifying, our sermons and our songs.”
Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know what it is to go over the same songs over and over again, and to try to make them perfect. It’s interesting and it’s hard and it’s difficult at the same time…You have to stay on top of things.”
Roberta Flack (1937–2025) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On staying in top form despite suffering a stroke in 2016 in “Roberta Flack Ready to Sing Again at Jazz Foundation of America Honors” in Billboard (2018 Oct 12)
“Ayodhya, an ancient Indian city, where the first Indian monarchs on the Ganges resided, was situated on the river Deva, in the latitude of 250, exactly in the spot where Faizabad now stands. It was the birthplace of Shirama, or Rama, an Indian hero, or the younger Bacchus, whose heroic achievements were celebrated in songs before the times of the Pagan Indians.”
Paulinus of St. Bartholomew (1748–1806) first seen 1800 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Journey to the East Indies, 1800. as quoted in Kishore, Kunal (2016). Ayodhyā revisited.
“Dancing on the hood in the middle of the woods On an old Mustang, where we sang Songs with all our childhood friends And it went like this, say Oops, I got 99 problems singing bye, bye, bye Hold up, if you wanna go and take a ride with me Better hit me, baby, one more time, uh Paint a picture for you and me On the days when we were young, uh Singing at the top of both our lungs”
Anne-Marie (born 1990) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 2002" · Official video
“If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it? I mean I write poems in these songs dedicated to you When you're in the mood for empathy, there's blood in my pen Better yet where your friends and them?”
Kendrick Lamar (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wanted to try to be a real live person, rather than just singing songs about them.”
Thao Nguyen (born 1984) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "The Rumpus Interview with Thao Nguyen" in The Rumpus (5 August 2013)
“I don't really want to talk about the old stuff - I really don't think it's important any more. I have a lot of new songs, which are more important to me”
Cui Jian (born 1961) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chinese rock legend sings on" in BBC (25 August 2010)
“What is love? Apparently, it is an odd mix of 1980's synthy love songs and modern trap beats. I don't think there is anything like this out there... which may be a fine thing - or I've just invented a genre. Crooner-Synth Trap-Pop.”
Kevin MacLeod (born 1972) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It’s a very rewarding experience to put songs out there that actually go on to impact people’s lives positively.” [9] Sharing her experience on what it feels like to be a gospel Artist.”
Lara George (born 1978) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“https://dailypost.ng/2025/03/28/i-dont-like-my-songs-after-recording-ayra-starr/Daily post”
Ayra Starr (born 2002) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Madness. Old age is a massacre. No place for sissies. No place for love songs. No place for dreaming. No place for dreaming erotic dreams”
Sarah Ladipo Manyika (born 1968) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For me it's important to make great dance songs, growing up as a dancer. You know, not only just getting lost in the beat but getting lost in the lyrics whether it’s about having a great time or having lyrics with more of a purposeful meaning.”
Victoria Duffield (born 1995) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Victoria Duffield (24 September 2011)
“I’m not career-minded. My mantra has always been “work.” I never had a “career.” I only had “work.” That was a way of going through different movies. I find something in a movie that I think works. It’s like a rock album. Maybe not all of it works in the script, but there’s one or two songs, one or two scenes that work.”
Nicolas Cage (born 1964) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: ‘People Thought I Didn’t Care — I Did.’ Nicolas Cage Sets the Record Straight" in Rolling Stone (16 April 2022)
“Every vital social movement immediately begins to generate art-songs, poetry, posters, murals, novels-an outpouring of the creativity that people will create from even the smallest crumbs of hope.”
Aurora Levins Morales (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It gives you some sort of responsibility because you are almost able to influence whatever that person is feeling at the time. Whether it’s from the songs you’re playing, the news you’ve just given or whatever it is.”
Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi (born 1984) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Responsibility that comes with being an OAP (2022)
“https://thenationonlineng.net/tems-my-songs-are-mostly-from-experiences/”
Tems (born 1995) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The problem we have in Africa is that unless you are a traditional musician telling the stories of your people through songs, you have no respect in society”
Angelique Kidjo (born 1960) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Angélique Kidjo asks: 'Who are they to tell me what's African?' 29 April 2010
“I knew [these songs] would benefit from making the recording process a very communal experience; it definitely opened them up into something bigger and less about me and my little world.”
Nataly Dawn (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Being that vulnerable is so necessary; putting words to those feelings is difficult, and it take a while to write the songs because I want to get them right. It can be excruciating, but it’s worth it, it feels like you actually got to the bottom of something, and the hope is that people can easily relate to it.”
Nataly Dawn (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think that actually that releases the emotional tension to be honest with you. I always think that, no matter what’s gone on prior to the, you know, treading the boards at night, I think we all kind of leave that behind when we’re on stage and you tend to even put more feeling into the songs I think”
Christine McVie (1943–2022) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview - 1987
“I think there’s always a certain amount of romance on our records, I mean, you know, that’s ‘cause I’m writing some of the songs, I always write about romance”
Christine McVie (1943–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Coming from the U.K., I can think of so many great songs and musical moments that didn't require a belter of a voice; my favorite singer is Kate Bush and she's not a belter, or PJ Harvey... I'm definitely more of an alternative girl.”
Carmen Ejogo (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If they can listen to our songs, that means they can listen to these messages of hope and change their lives,”
Miss Jojo (born 1983) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: , She is best known for her contemporary Rwandan music, but really she is skilled in many different aspects of music. Miss Jojo is currently the most famous female Rwandan musician (19 November 2009)
“All the songs are my personal experiences and journey through life. I hope to touch everyone with this album and I pray the people find it worthwhile”
Miss Jojo (born 1983) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: , To prove her music prowess, Josiane Uwineza aka Miss Jojo is set to launch her debut solo album. (11 November 2008)
“I am somebody who believes so much in love. So, I started writing love songs and all that. I also developed the art of dancing.”
Tamara Eteimo (born 1987) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I’m eyeing OSCAR award – Tamara Eteimo, 2013 Next Movie Star winner", Vanguard (March 29, 2013)
“We are a racist people in Egypt and we are in deep denial about it. On my Facebook page, I blamed racism for my argument and an Egyptian man wrote to deny that we are racists and used as his proof a program on Egyptian Radio featuring Sudanese songs and poetry! Our silence over racism not only destroys the warmth and hospitality we are proud of as Egyptians, it has deadly consequences.”
Mona Eltahawy (born 1967) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Arab world's dirty secret", The New York Times (November 10, 2008).
“In the whole process of circumcision, what we hate is the cut. All the rituals, blessings from cultural leaders, people dressing in their traditional clothes as dancing and singing our beautiful songs — it's not harmful. It's good”
Nice Nailantei Leng'ete (born 1991) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I do love singing covers. Funny thing is, I have always preferred singing other people’s songs and making them my own. That’s why this show is perfect for me.”
Coco Lee (1975–2023) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: - when talking about the “I am a Singer” competition. (~2015)
“The heart itself, and particularly the Jewish heart, is a violin: you pluck the strings, teasing out various, generally sad and gloomy songs”
Sholem Aleichem (1859–1916) said by 1916 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It’s all we can do. Otherwise we’ll go crazy. It’s a really good time [for creativity]. People will probably look back on these few months and say these Americans were pretty creative during this virus. Some artists are using it to their advantage: making videos and coming up with songs. As a cartoonist, I'm simply on that train.”
Ricardo Caté wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I signed with Open Mic only for three years. In these three years I dropped four albums. I have never received any cent of my sales. Some of my album reached platinum some gold. And a lot of hits songs that reached platinum and gold, but I continue to work without complaining.”
Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona (born 1996) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So the thing about me is, I’ve always considered myself to be a very versatile artist. From the very first EP, all five to six songs on are completely different and I’ve never wanted to box myself.”
Cina Soul (born 1996) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ivy Kekeli, Cina Soul shares her musical journey, yfmghana, 7 November 2022.
“But now I'm happier, I'm thinner, I'm sexier. When my son was born, I was at my heaviest, and I wasn't happy, I was performing because my songs were popping. The only thing that kept me going was because...my baby boy. Being a mom has just elevated me ... I want to be fit for myself.”
Busiswa Gqulu (born 1988) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Busiswa speaks on her musical hiatus and how motherhood changed her by Joy Mphande, 02 September 2023, Retrieved 22/11/2023
“But now I’m happier, I’m thinner, I’m sexier. When my son was born I was at my heaviest and I wasn’t happy, I was performing because my songs were popping. The only thing that kept me going was my baby boy. Being a mom has elevated me. I want to be fit for myself.”
Busiswa Gqulu (born 1988) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I never took singing lessons. I was like my daughter, singing in front of videos with a hairbrush as a microphone! Probably because I was imitating the songs I watched on TV. I thought it was great”
Aya Nakamura (born 1995) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Who is Aya Nakamura? All about the French singer who performed at the Paris Olympics,July 27, 2024,By Joyann Jeffrey
“I have always had a great passion for Naples, for its culture, from writing to philosophy to songs: it is a city that has always captured me.”
Lucio Dalla (1943–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“(About Rino Gaetano) he was hitchhiking with his guitar over his shoulder and I gave him a lift to Rome where he was looking for a contract. He made me preview his songs and I took him to Vincenzo Micocci who then launched him.”
Lucio Dalla (1943–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have studded my life, my publications, my records, with words addressed to God, with doubts, as can be seen in songs like "Blu moon", "What kind of God is there in the sky"," Tommy.”
Roberto Vecchioni (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“‘Yesu Ashimwe’ is the title track of the album, and I can confirm that all the songs on this album are finished. The audio was produced by Producer Popiyeeh, and there were other contributors involved in the production as well.”
Aline Gahongayire (born 1986) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Aline Gahongayire begins releasing songs from her eighth album – VIDEO Inyarwanda.com (28/02/2026)
“‘Yesu Ashimwe’ is the beginning of my journey with this album, which includes worship and praise songs, but also focuses on evangelism, prophecy, and other spiritual themes.”
Aline Gahongayire (born 1986) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Aline Gahongayire begins releasing songs from her eighth album – VIDEO Inyarwanda.com (28/02/2026)
“If you have a divine call upon your life you will be unique, you will stand out among others. If it’s about songs you will always let people know that you have something to say.”
Funmi Aragbaye (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“While bravehearts like Velu Nachiyar or the Marudhu brothers may have been eclipsed in our historiography, their heroism lives on in ballads, folk songs and folk memory, even as they are immortalized and worshipped as gods in temples built for them by villagers. Where popular historiography failed them, folk memory redeemed this lapse and kept them alive till date.”
Velu Nachiyar (1730–1796) said by 1796 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sampath V. (2022). Bravehearts of Bharat : vignettes from indian history. Penguin Random House India
“As a leader, I took my valuable time and reflected on how I could share some messages from what we learn during important meetings that we attend; believe me, there are opportunities that we are given as leaders that allow us to know several information before our fellow Rwandans; it’s our responsibility to share the information with them, be it through books, songs and even poems,”
Francoise Uwumukiza (born 1973) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: SEVENTEEN SONGS AND COUNTING: LAWMAKER SURPRISES WITH MUSIC TALENT KT Press (November 15, 2020)
“I did not author these songs because I am a member of parliament; I would do what I did if I was in a different position,”
Francoise Uwumukiza (born 1973) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: SEVENTEEN SONGS AND COUNTING: LAWMAKER SURPRISES WITH MUSIC TALENT KT Press (November 15, 2020)
“As Borges said, everything that was ever said in the world is a great story. History, philosophy, cookbooks, religions, scientific formulas, tango, novels, boleros, popular songs—all are stories about some part of the universe.”
Angélica Gorodischer (1928–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source