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“I ditched my family because they didn't want me to do music. They wanted me to finish school. So I left and came to Joburg. At that time there was something that was pushing me and that was 'the world needs this and the world needs a message that you are coming with'. Because I believe that every time I sing a song, it has a message”
Lwah Ndlunkulu wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My partner was already in the music industry. We used to be together quite a bit because there was really nothing to do. He said: ‘You know what, I need a vocalist. I have so many beats’ and I was like: ‘Bro, you know I can sing’ but in a joking manner… We recorded our first song and from then, that was it!”
Babalwa M (born 1994) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Music is like a drug; when you hear it, you have a vision. And that vision can change over time or remain the same. You know, that first time you’re in love and you hear a love song and every time you think about it you have that vision of your special someone. And then two years later, after you broke up, you’re at the bar. And you hear that song and you go, "Son of a bitch... I’ll have a Jaeger.”
Lewis Black (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is a song about the reason we all came down here today, and that's because we (expletive) love music. This is a crowd-surfing song.”
Bert McCracken (born 1982) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At a concert, commenting to the audience about The Used's song "Burning in the Aftermath", reported in Jason Newell (July 8, 2003) "Teens chill at hot concert", Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
“If there is really one thing that I am proud of in my long labor history, it is that while he was in prison, before he was executed, Joe Hill wrote a song for me dedicated to me, that was called, the "Rebel Girl" and that song, I hope you will do it here some time, it may not be the best of words or the best of music, but it came from the heart and it was certainly so treasured.”
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (1890–1964) said by 1964 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes, some labels just preach a lot before they sign you, but you get in there and you don't see anything. I remember when I actually was with Universal when I recorded Ojorley, they didn't want the song. And that's my biggest song too. That's how funny it was. I actually got signed to the Universal Music record label, and I'm independent again, I have been independent for a longer time.”
Cina Soul (born 1996) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I released my hit song ‘Ojorley’ without the approval of my former record label - Cina Soul, Ghana Web, 2 November 2022.
“She still remembers her first song, “Como ela dance” (how she dances), produced by the Mozambican producer “N-star.” Since the release of her first song, she has been nominated for many awards, including the “Ngoma" music award”
Liloca (born 1985) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: An interview with the talented Liloca, retrieved on November 02, 2015
“Willie Nelson has an ability that is particular to country music – these one-liners that set up a whole song, then everything else is built around that. I guess you could call them zingers. Crazy is the perfect song. It's an incredibly complex emotion: it's concise, but it describes a state of mind so clearly and poignantly. He's a true American poet.”
Michael Gira (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“(About the song Ti lascio una canzone) Gino wanted to pay tribute to Ornella Vanoni as a seal on their story. I loved the idea: even before it was born, that song already had a life of its own. He wrote the lyrics, I wrote the music. Paoli was like a cat: you never knew whether he was going to scratch you or purr.”
Peppe Vessicchio (1956–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's hard to quantify a 'top ten' list of songs for many reasons. I like many styles of music, and it's difficult to compare radically divergent types of music with each other.”
Andrew Sega (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If good music has charms to soothe the savage breast, bad music has no less powerful spells for filling the mildest breast with rage, the happiest with horror and disgust. Oh, those mammy songs, those love longings, those loud hilarities! How was it possible that human emotions intrinsically decent could be so ignobly parodied.”
Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What happened is the music listener has become much more of a connoisseur and a king of his own destiny. You can no longer shove an album down their throats and say, 'Here's 15 songs, four of them are good, you know. Spend 20 dollars on this CD.' It's not going to happen. That's what has taken the music industry down.”
Gloria Estefan (born 1957) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: thestrippodcast.com (September 9, 2006)
“Why do we write music, what does inspires us? Well, in the beginning it was just having instruments around and just loving music and bands and all that but then recently it just seems to me to be a point of existence, you know? I can't work at anything else in the world except at how to write songs and I think we all (the band) just escape into it, you know what I mean? source”
Chris Martin (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“…A lot of the ‘yous’ in my songs are abstract ideas about music...I will neglect everything else, including me as a person, just to get to keep making music…And even if it actually sometimes hurts, it doesn’t matter as long as I get to be a musician.”
Mitski (born 1990) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the object of affection that pervades her songs in “Don’t Cry for Mitski” in Pitchfork (12 Jul 2018)
“We need to embrace all kinds of music. We can’t all focus on high -life because it’s what is reigning right now. It’s okay to have one or two hi-life songs and make them timeless but let’s embrace other genres of music.”
Munachi Abii (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don't rush to make quick songs. I take my time with my music, crafting each one carefully. My goal is to make music that people will love for a long, long time.”
Gasmilla (born 1984) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Edith Mensah, Gasmilla says releasing hit songs is not his focus, Graphic Online, October 31, 2023.
“There is something called psychology in music, psychology is just studying peoples behaviour and my background as a psychology student has influenced the kind of things I say in my songs and people say my music is therapeutic.”
Cina Soul (born 1996) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: People say my music is therapeutic – Cina Soul, Ghana Web, 15 January 2020.
“Most Western music is people singing from the heart — singing to a girlfriend, so a lot of people are freaked out by our songs [...] But our lyrics are just stories. They’re just written to be as gross and disgusting as we could make them. At night we’d get a case of beer and watch gory horror movies. [...] We just play extreme music so we figured we needed extreme lyrics.”
Alex Webster (1931–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“First of all, the music I do is what Ugandans can relate to. I do love songs, club kind of music. I’m just happy for the support and love that they are showing me”
Irene Ntale (born 1989) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I always consider the overall harmony of the image, choreography, outfits, and concept when selecting music because I perform along with it. If I only chose songs based on my personal preference, I might not be able to showcase a wider range of performances. That's why I select music that creates synergy with the overall presentation, allowing me to show my best self.”
Jisoo (born 1995) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Feeney, Nolan (15 February 2025). "Jisoo Wants To 'Show My Best Self' As A Solo Star". Nylon.
“In engaging with the work, I hope to connect, to see what of my personal is actually public. Images allow us to meet at a collective memory. I wish people can relate while having their own interpretation. Just like music. Music brings us closer to our own experiences… In a way I hope the work reads like songs.”
Thato Toeba (born 1990) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Queer Artist Thato Toeba Wins 2025 FNB Art Prize-MAMBA ONLINE.COM (19 August 2025)
“My music has and will always be experimental and lyrical, I put on the record my state of mind at the time of writing. These days no one can determine what a mainstream hit could be; if the music connects, then it connects 100. “Crazy People”, “Problems”, “Pree We”, “Lost Ones” are all songs I connect with on a highly spiritual level. Who is to say listeners won’t connect to it the same way?”
Darkovibes (born 1995) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sharon's father was a gangster manager, so she's a great businesswoman. I remember saying to her once, "What's always amazed me is that you've been in the music business most of your life, but when you sing, you sound like a fucking dying wildebeest." She said, "What's always amazed me is how you've been in the music business most of your life and you don't know the ass end of a contract.”
Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No, I don't do that [sing about sex]. My music isn't forward like that. It's not sexual the way Britney's music is sexual. She feels comfortable singing about that, and that's fine, but I just don't talk about that kind of stuff, sorry. I just don't.”
Hilary Duff (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was born with music inside me. That's the only explanation I know of, since none of my relatives could sing or play an instrument. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me — like food or water.”
Ray Charles (1930–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hayley: I know what kind of music that I like, I love to sing. Bands like George and Missy Higgins are the guys that I like and that's the kind of music that I'd like to make.”
Hayley Jensen (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I come from a talented family of singers and musicians, and I never thought being talented in music was a gift. I thought everyone could sing. I found out later that it was a gift and decided to pursue music as a career.”
Mercy Myra wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That's the magic of this band: shooting from the hip. The lights have to follow our cues, because we're not going to follow their cues. We're not going to stick to a song the way it's supposed to be. Everything is up to us. That's music to me. That's American music. We're an American band.”
Dave Matthews (born 1967) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Dave Matthews, Rolling Stone interview "The Boys of Summer" (June 16, 2005). Eliscu, Jenny (2005). "The Boys of Summer" Rolling Stone (accessed June 19. 2006)
“These are the sort of things that push you on in music — the curiosity, a passion for new ideas. It's important to keep restoring that, and at the same time, hold on to the core things about music that whenever you pick the simplest form of instrument; guitar or piano, you can find a song that's worthwhile.”
Elvis Costello (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The multiple reinforcing cues of a good song—rhythm, melody, contour—cause music to stick in our heads. That is the reason why many ancient myths, epics, and even the Old Testament were set to music in preparation for being passed down by oral tradition across generations.”
Daniel Levitin (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you listen to a song on the radio you can definitely tell whose music it is. When you listen to my music you can tell it is Basshunter.”
Basshunter (born 1984) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: BBC interview (25 July 2008)
“Music is a gift from God. You know what it means to create a song and when you are asleep, people are dancing to it. Some people have sex to it? You go to different parts of the world and people are singing to it word for word. You cannot tell me that is not power. It is spiritual. So, when I make music, there are different ways it comes.”
Teni (born 1993) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My concept of music — what I feel is important, relevant and timeless — is different from what might be at the forefront of people’s minds in the modern-day world. I think that melody is king, the most important thing. The music has to honor that. We’re all just serving the song. That was the kind of thinking you had when Louis Armstrong was performing.”
Melody Gardot (born 1985) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I listen to music every day. It’s transportation. I love being able to go from an Afrobeat song to James Blake. It’s also linked to memory; if you think about most of your memories that come back to you easily, there was probably music playing somewhere in the background.”
Eloghosa Osunde wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Amapiano was a term that we used to diss a song that didn't fit neatly into the gqom or house music categories, which were the popping mainstream sounds back then. At some point, amapiano really sounded ratchet and too jazzy, especially to fans of deep house music!”
DJ Maphorisa (born 1988) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview: DJ Maphorisa Talks About Scorpion Kings' Success;By Nadia Neophytou,Retrieved on April 16, 2021
“They really don’t do anything with music they just wanted to hear my song… they weren’t a music group or anything like that. They basically just do photos and styling for an album cover, etc…”
Kenya Bell (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Although music appeals simply to the emotions, and represents no definite images in itself, we are justified in using any language which may serve to convey to others our musical expressions. Words will often pave the way for the more subtle operations of music, and unlock the treasures which sound alone can rifle, and hence the eternal popularity of song.”
Hugh Reginald Haweis (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Songs are not only like poo, but songs are almost like the ground that's fertilized by the manure of life.”
Brooke Fraser (born 1983) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: What a Beautiful Name' singer Brooke Ligertwood says her worship songs are inspired by 'the manure of life' Christian Today (July 9, 2018).
“Relating to the specifics of relationships, and writing love songs, I tapped into something that seemed to work for my generation. I love the fact that some of the songs continue to survive, but I think that there's a window of opportunity for a time when you really, really relate to your generation. And I think a lot of us pass through that as songwriters.”
Paul Williams (songwriter) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I told him I just want to write some more songs and put them on tape. I figure the content of the songs and how I choose to answer for myself is my business. He says he is sorry, even cut to the heart, but he cannot and will not sign me, as, alas, I cannot say the things he wanted to hear. I say I am sorry he cannot hear the things I'm trying to say.”
Mark Heard (1951–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The moments of perfect pleasure in Johnson's songs, and the beauty of those songs, remind one that it is not the simple presence of evil that is unbearable; what is unbearable is the impossibility of reconciling the facts of evil with the beauty of the world.”
Greil Marcus (born 1945) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Marcus on Robert Johnson in Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock 'n' Roll Music (1975, fourth revision May, 1997) p. 31.
“Van and Schenck put their songs over so skillfully that it isn't until their act is all done that you realize what extremely indifferent songs they are. Now, when John Steel is singing, on the other hand, you are never fooled for a moment. p.153”
Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) said by 1967 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something, we'd all love one another.”
Frank Zappa (1940–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have so many: Merle Haggard, Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul Simon. Hank Williams is one of the greatest ever because people can take his songs and do them in any fashion. They are simple, sweet songs, but they just touch your guts and reach you wherever they want to.”
Dolly Parton (1946–2026) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Dolly Parton on the Joys of Songwriting: ‘It’s What I Do and Who I Am’ Billboard ( December 3, 2020).
“You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs I look around me and I see it isn't so Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs And what's wrong with that? I'd like to know 'Cause here I go again... I love you.”
Paul McCartney (born 1942) first seen 1976 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Silly Love Songs", 1976
“She sings the songs without words Songs that sailors, and blind men, and beggars have heard She knows more of love than the poets can say And her eyes are for something that won't go away.”
Harry Chapin (1942–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm possessed by love — but isn't everybody? Most of my songs are love ballads and things to do with sadness and torture and pain. In terms of love, you're not in control and I hate that feeling. I seem to write a lot of sad songs because I'm a very tragic person. But there's always an element of humour at the end.”
Freddie Mercury (1946–1991) first seen 1985 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "I am the Champion" by Nick Ferrari in The Sun (19 July 1985).
“They are songs which can be sung in a Christian context, but they all had to mean something to me because I was often on the edge of not believing. The songs certainly have not made my fortune, but I am still grateful for the royalties when they come in.”
Sydney Carter (1915–2004) first seen 1996 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Times [London] (29 August 1996)
“When I thought I was dying in rehab in 1994, 'I Won't back Down' was my mantra. It lifted my up out of the pain and made me fight through it. 'The Waiting'... summed up my life. We can't stand waiting, we rock 'n' roll men and women. Tom Petty's songs are like a great book that you revisit when you need help. His songs make me better.”
Stevie Nicks (born 1948) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers", Billboard, Vol. 118, No. 12 (25 March 2006), p. 38
“The main instinct a lot of the time is to masquerade and hide the truth at all times. Whereas in reality what happens in songs is laying bare the truth. So a lot of time it's fighting that instinct, and the songs become almost confessional. They can also be quite condescending to myself, almost like I'm putting myself down.”
Pete Doherty (born 1979) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source