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. 1,159,190 quotes Who coined it · How we decide

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“If I was a better poet like William Carlos Williams I’d be able to write about anything, but I’m just a minor poet. So I just write about things like moments of crisis that tend to be on the sadder, darker side. You can spend ten minutes in a really dark place and write a song about it that lasts forever.”
John Doe (musician) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We human beings are tuned such that we crave great melody and great lyrics. And if somebody writes a great song, it's timeless that we as humans are going to feel something for that and there's going to be a real appreciation.”
Art Garfunkel (born 1941) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A song for our banner! The watchword recall Which gave the Republic her station: "United we stand, divided we fall!" It made and preserves us a nation!”
George Pope Morris (1802–1864) said by 1864 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Flag of our Union, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“A Song for September, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).”
Thomas William Parsons (1819–1892) said by 1892 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From every place below the skies The grateful song, the fervent prayer,— The incense of the heart, —may rise To heaven, and find acceptance there.”
John Pierpont (1785–1866) said by 1866 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Every Place a Temple, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919). Compare: "This is that incense of the heart / Whose fragrance smells to heaven" Nathaniel Cotton, The Fireside, stanza 11.
“Glorious the northern lights astream; Glorious the song, when God's the theme; Glorious the thunder's roar: Glorious hosanna from the den; Glorious the catholic amen; Glorious the martyr's gore.”
Christopher Smart (1722–1771) said by 1771 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My poetry is exacting a confession from me: I will not keep the truth from my song and the heartstringed instrument.”
Frank Chipasula (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have heard the mavis singing Its love-song to the morn; I've seen the dew-drop clinging To the rose just newly born.”
Charles Jefferys (1807–1865) said by 1865 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mary of Argyle, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, No winter in thy year.”
John Logan (minister) first seen 1919 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To the Cuckoo, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
Also quoted by: John Logan
“Let us give them a portion of the Evil Forest. They boast about victory over death. Let us give them a real battlefield in which to show their victory." [...] They offered them as much of the Evil Forest as they cared to take. And to their great amazement the missionaries thanked them and burst into song.”
Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Above her another window opened, and Alec leaned out. 'What's going on?' His gaze landed on Clary and the others, his eyebrows drawing together in confusion. 'What is this? Early caroling?' 'I don't carol,' said Simon. 'I'm Jewish. I only know the dreidel song.'”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In my sleep, which is the song of the tombs, I have just seen her again, as beautiful as in her youth.”
Albert Cohen (1895–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let the lament of this lonely bulbul pierce the hearts of all, Arouse the hearts of the sleeping, with this my clarion call. Transfused with fresh blood, a new compact of faith we'll sign. Let our hearts thirst again for a sip of the vintage wine. What if the pitcher be Persian, from Hejaz is the wine I serve. What if the song be Indian, it is Hejazi in its verve.”
Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) said by 1938 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Variant: "No matter if my idiom is Indian, my spirit is that of Hejaz." in Elst, Koenraad (2014). Decolonizing the Hindu mind: Ideological development of Hindu revivalism. New Delhi: Rupa. p. 343.
“Closer to showtime, the jovial crowd now arrives in droves. Laughing. Smiling. Until they hear the melodic sounds of “This Land Is Fagland,” being sung by small children. With the most vigor, even the tiniest join in, big smiles, swaying their heads like it were the Barney the Dinosaur song. The chubby, red-haired girl actually jumps while singing—she's that happy.”
Harmon Leon wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What are the wild waves saying, Sister, the whole day long, That ever amid our playing I hear but their low, lone song?”
Joseph Edwards Carpenter (1813–1885) said by 1885 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: What are the wild Waves saying?, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“Agitprop sticks in my teeth too, and I'd rather compose romances for you – more profit in it and more charm. But I subdued myself, setting my heel on the throat of my own song.”
Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893–1930) first seen 1929 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At the Top of My Voice" (1929-30); translation from Patricia Blake (ed.) The Bedbug and Selected Poetry (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1975) pp. 223-5
“My guitar is like my best friend. My guitar can get me through anything. If I can sit down and write an amazing song with my guitar about what's going on in life, then that's the greatest therapy for me.”
Miley Cyrus (born 1992) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mirror.co.uk (May 5, 2008)
“C is for Cute A is for Adorable R is for Ravishing M is for Gorgeous E is for Excellent L is for Lovable I is for I'm the best! T is for Talented A is for "A tap-dancing ballerina fairy princess veterinarian! NOW LET'S START MY WHOLE WONDERFUL SONG ALL OVER AGAIN!”
Daniel Handler (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He's been misled and he's been afraid. He's been hit in the head and left for dead. He's been abused and he's been accused and he's been refused a piece of bread. On and on he goes down this road getting pushed around and lost and around and given until sundown to get out of town, and yet this is basically a love song. He's had the shit kicked out of him, and guess what? It's love.”
Daniel Handler (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have a very young brother and sister, and if you can get a kid singing the words to a song after they heard it for the first time, it's a hit.”
Adam Levine (born 1979) first seen 1027 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Scaggs, Austin (2007-05-31), "Adam Levine". Rolling Stone. (1027):36.
“A song is communicating with people. Entertainment is a different area.”
Ronnie Drew (1934–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Almighty Freedom! give my venturous song The force, the charm that to thy voice belong; Tis thine to shape my course, to light my way, To nerve my country with the patriot lay, To teach all men where all their interest lies, How rulers may be just and nations wise: Strong in thy strength I bend no suppliant knee, Invoke no miracle, no Muse but thee.”
Joel Barlow (1754–1812) said by 1812 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mr. Jorrocks then called upon the company in succession for a toast, a song, or a sentiment. Nimrod gave, "The Royal Staghounds"; Crane gave, "Champagne to our real friends, and real pain to our sham friends.”
Robert Smith Surtees (1805–1864) first seen 1838 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jorrocks's Jaunts and Jollities (1838) ch. 12
“This next song is about how sad I am. It's about all the sad stuff; just picture a depressed onion cutting itself.”
Bo Burnham (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Some fans get genuinely upset if I admit that a song that they held close to their heart was not based on actual events in my life. Like “What Sarah Said”: I was never in a waiting room in a hospital waiting for news that somebody was going to die.”
Ben Gibbard (born 1976) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For us the Dresden Dolls were porcelain dolls that were made in that city at the time, that is what they were to us, and also a reference in Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut, and in a song by The Fall.”
Brian Viglione (born 1979) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: March 26, 2006 - PunkTv Interview
“The wrath of the son of Peleus,—O goddess of song, unfold! The deadly wrath of Achilles: To Greece the source of many woes! Which peopled the regions of death,—with shades of heroes untimely slain: While pale they lay along the shore: Torn by beasts and birds of prey: But such was the will of Jove! Begin the verse, from the source of rage,—between Achilles and the sovereign of men.”
James Macpherson (1736–1796) first seen 1773 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Iliad of Homer, translated by James Macpherson (London 1773)
“O lay me, ye that see the light, near some rock of my hills! let the thick hazels be around, let the rustling oak be near. Green be the place of my rest; let the sound of the distant torrent be heard. Daughter of Toscar, take the harp, and raise the lovely song of Selma, that sleep may overtake my soul in the midst of joy; that the dreams of my youth may return, and the days of the mighty Fingal.”
James Macpherson (1736–1796) said by 1796 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Pleasant are the words of the song," said Cuthullin, "and lovely are the tales of other times. They are like the calm dew of the morning on the hill of roes, when the sun is faint on its side, and the lake is settled and blue in the vale.”
James Macpherson (1736–1796) said by 1796 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I had a boyfriend who told me I’d never succeed, never be nominated for a Grammy, never have a hit song and that he hoped I’d fail,[...] I said to him, ‘Someday, when we’re not together, you won’t be able to order a cup of coffee at the f—ing deli without hearing or seeing me.”
Lady Gaga (born 1986) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cosmopolitan (April 2010).
“Just a second, It's my favorite song they're gonna play. And I cannot text you with A drink in my hand, eh. You shoulda made some plans with me, You knew that I was free. And now you won't stop calling me; I'm kinda busy.”
Lady Gaga (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Speech is insufficient to utter the last things; and this troubles it not, because the last things may be heard speaking for themselves. At last, after long delay the wondering soul gives form to that which is stirring within it and produces its works art and song and mighty deeds.”
L. P. Jacks (1860–1955) said by 1955 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on Earth.”
Dorothy Gurney (1858–1932) first seen 1913 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: God's Garden" lines 13–16, Poems, by Dorothy Frances Gurney (London: Country Life, 1913).
“Actually, you can make pretty good cash on stage without being a comedian or a stripper. My brother once won a talent contest by fartin' the song "Dixie" through an oil funnel. He not only took home 500 bucks, he got to meet Regis after the show. Who says dreams don't come true? (p. 11).”
Larry the Cable Guy (born 1963) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A man with a dream of pleasure can go forth and conquer a crowd and three. With a new song's measure can trample a kingdom down.”
Fred Shero (1925–1990) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Message Shero wrote on the team's blackboard prior to Game 6 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals
“The triumphs of the warrior are bounded by the narrow theatre of his own age; but those of a Scott or a Shakespeare will be renewed with greater and greater lustre in ages yet unborn, when the victorious chieftain shall be forgotten, or shall live only in the song of the minstrel and the page of the chronicler.”
William H. Prescott (1796–1859) first seen 1838 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sir Walter Scott" (1838), p. 239.
“Now if I seem to be afraid To live the life that I have made in song Well it's just that I've been losing so long.”
Jackson Browne (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A scrip on my back, and a staff in my hand, I march on in haste through an enemy's land; The road may be rough, but it cannot be long; And I'll smooth it with hope, and I'll cheer it with song.”
Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847) said by 1847 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“when a fool fails he says I was unlucky, when a wise man fails he says what a fool I had been. Song "If I was a Cat" live version.”
Avner Strauss (born 1954) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (2003 Blues Festival)
“Then re-united to the friends with whom vve took sweet counsel upon earth, we shall recount our toil, only to heighten our ecstasy; and call to mind the toil and the din of war, oniy that, with a more bounding throb and a richer song, we may fee! and celebrate the wonders of redemption.”
Henry Melvill (1798–1871) said by 1871 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is my story, this is my song If you feel it, muthafucka, you can't go wrong to the screw-face niggaz, whatch you on? Get off that, get a goal and focus dawg”
Kid Cudi (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A song is not just a collection of melodic riffs, it is an emotional statement.”
Andrew Sega (born 1975) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Melodic Structure", Necros, TraxWeekly #15, 1995
“One of the most common failings [when writing a drum track] is repetition. Nobody wants to hear that same stupid 16-line bass-snare pattern throughout the WHOLE song. Didn't your mother ever teach you that variety is the spice of life?”
Andrew Sega (born 1975) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Melodic Structure", Necros, TraxWeekly #15, 1995
“I'm singing this song for you and your mum that's all, And it won't be long before everyone is gone.”
Liam Gallagher (born 1972) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Young Ones. Darling we're the Young Ones. Young Ones shouldn't be afraid To live, love, there's a song to be sung, Cause we may not Be the Young Ones very long.”
Sid Tepper (1918–2015) said by 2015 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Christian's life on this side and beyond the grave is essentially the same, differing only as a song which, at a certain point, changes from the minor to the major key, and thenceforth wells along with still more glorious harmonies.”
John McClellan Holmes (1834–1911) said by 1911 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is not the evil itself which is horrifying about our times—it is the way we not only tolerate evil, but have made a cult of positively worshipping weakness, depravity, rottenness and evil itself. It is not the death rattle in the throat of Western civilization which is surprising; it is the fact that millions of Americans believe that the death rattle is a beautiful song!”
George Lincoln Rockwell (1918–1967) said by 1967 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And as the moon rises he sits by his fire Thinking about women and glasses of beer. And closing his eyes as the dogies retire, He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear, As if maybe someone could hear.Goodnight you moonlight ladies. Rockabye sweet baby James. Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose. Won't you let me go down in my dreams? And rockabye sweet baby James.”
James Taylor (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Just yesterday morning, they let me know that you were gone. Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you. I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song, I just can't remember who to send it to. I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend. But I always thought that I'd see you again.”
James Taylor (born 1948) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Fire and Rain" · Live performance (1970)
“Where do those golden rainbows end? Why is this song so sad? Dreaming the dreams I've dreamed my friend Loving the love I love To love is just a word I've heard when things are being said Stories my poor head has told me cannot stand the cold And in between what might have been and what has come to pass A misbegotten guess alas and bits of broken glass…”
James Taylor (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source