Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,745 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
EnglishItalianoPolskiעבריתFrançaisPortuguêsفارسیEspañol中文РусскийDeutschالعربيةहिन्दी日本語ΕλληνικάLatina
Music
LoveFriendshipHappinessHopeFearCourageDeathLifeTimeWarPeaceFreedomTruthWisdomKnowledgeScienceArtMusicNatureMoneyWorkPowerGodBeautyLaughterFamilySuccess and failureChangeDreamsBooks and reading
“There's rain on the road And the faithful have gone. In a crowd all alone, Walking 'round in a song.”
Tom Petty (1950–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then, does not misbecome a monarch.”
Horace Walpole (1717–1797) first seen 1774 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Sir Horace Mann (1774); this is derived from an proverb of unknown authorship: "A little nonsense now and then / Is relished by the wisest men".
“We'd be making sail in the dawn, with a fair breeze, singing a chanty song wid no care to it. And astern the land would be sinking low and dying out, but we'd give it no heed but a laugh, and never look behind. For the day that was, was enough, for we was free men — and I'm thinking 'tis only slaves do be giving heed to the day that's gone or the day to come — until they're old like me.”
Eugene O'Neill (1888–1953) said by 1953 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From the same song”
Clive James (1939–2019) said by 2019 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From "Beware of the Beautiful Stranger". title song of 1970 album, sung by Pete Atkin.”
Clive James (1939–2019) said by 2019 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That man’s best works should be such bungling imitations of Nature’s infinite perfection, matters not much; but that he should make himself an imitation, this is the fact which Nature moans over, and deprecates beseechingly. Be spontaneous, be truthful, be free, and thus be individuals! is the song she sings through warbling birds, and whispering pines, and roaring waves, and screeching winds.”
Lydia Maria Child (1802–1880) said by 1880 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Funny the way it is, if you think about it. Somebody's going hungry, someone else is eating out. Funny the way it is, not right or wrong. Somebody's heart is broken, it becomes your favorite song.”
Dave Matthews (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So hurting here is where I belong dreaming a song Blood on my hands to stay strong The flowers in the graveyard are all gone I don't belong There is no right to heal the wrong Soup's on hot feelin' like a do or die I can't throw up don't think i evan want to try”
“The message I got from my record label at the time — and this was on purpose — was that I wasn't selling enough. Even when the single was a hit, it wasn't enough of a hit — I never got to number 1; I only got to number 5. And MTV didn't like the first video for the song, and we had to do another one. So I never felt anything except how bad I was and like, "Oh, shame on you!”
Sophie B. Hawkins (born 1964) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interviewed by Cathay Che, The Advocate (8 May 2001)
“I was in a bookstore, browsing through an old Life magazine, when I saw a picture of what the article called spontaneous human combustion. There were an old guy's legs and shoes, perfectly intact...then, right around his knee area, was just a pile of charred ashes. I was going through some turmoil in my life, both good and bad, and the image struck a chord, so...I wrote a song about it.”
Brandon Boyd (born 1976) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Elliott: "Do you want to hear a happy or a sad song?"Crowd: "Happy!"Elliott: "Old or new?"Crowd: "Old!"Elliott: "Happy and old, that's a strange choice.”
Elliott Smith (1969–2003) said by 2003 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Labour itself is but a sorrowful song, The protest of the weak against the strong.”
Frederick William Faber (1814–1863) said by 1863 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Also quoted by: F. W. Faber
“Unlike my subject will I frame my song, It shall be witty, and it shan't be long.”
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) said by 1773 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Then in chat, or at play, with a dance, or a song, Let the night, like the day, pass with pleasure along. All cares, but of love, banish far from your mind; And those you may end, when you please to be kind.”
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) first seen 1763 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Advice to a Lady in Autumn", published in A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. I. (1763), printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley
“and and , all dark, all romantic. When I say "romantic," I mean a sensibility that sees everything, and has to express everything, and still doesn't know what the fuck it is, it hurts that bad. It just madly tries to speak whatever it feels, and that can mean vast things. That sort of mentality can turn a sun-kissed orange into a flaming meteorite, and make it sound like that in a song.”
Jeff Buckley (1966–1997) first seen 1996 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Double Take (February 29, 1996)
“Love is the song of the soul, singing to God.”
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) said by 1952 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Why should it be my loneliness, Why should it be my song, Why should it be my dream deferred overlong?”
Langston Hughes (1901–1967) said by 1967 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It started when i heard your song of love Pouring down like honey from above I started to spin, i started to move Just like a needle that is sticking through the same old groove”
Andy Partridge (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For a heart without love is a song with no words And a tune to which no one is listening So your heart must give love and you'll find that You shine like rain on the leaves you'll be glistening.”
Andy Partridge (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Night, when tangos play on the nurse's radio and rat poison sings its own hot song behind the cellar door. Night, when the long snake feeds, when the black sedan cruises the pleasure districts, when neon flickers "Free at Last" in a dozen lost languages, and shapes left over from childhood move furtively behind the moon-dizzy boughs of the fir.”
Tom Robbins (1932–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm on the Internet a lot more than I watch TV and most everybody I know is, and yet if you watch most late-night talk shows, it's as if it doesn't even exist. So the Internet, it's just something I wanted to make use of in some way. I was fascinated by what appeared to be a child singing this song. It just struck me as funny.”
Jimmy Kimmel (born 1967) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his initial impression of Andy Milonakis — reported in Susan Carpenter, Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times (May 3, 2006) "Making a fool of himself for video - Andy Milonakis' success story", Chicago Tribune, p. 8A.
“Addie Mae Collins, Carol Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, Denise McNair. Four little Black girls, none more than ten years of age, singing their last autumn song in a Sunday church school in . After the explosion clears it is not possible to tell which patent leather Sunday shoe belongs to which found leg.”
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I had his poster on my wall. He had me moonwalking around my bedroom. I'd love to have written any Michael Jackson song, so maybe start with one of the greatest.”
50 Cent (born 1975) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Soundtrack of my life" (1 October 2015), by Gavin Haynes, NME, p. 48
“Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?”
Matthew Prior (1664–1721) said by 1721 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Better Answer; reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“They multiplied into the Sirens' throng, Forewarned by fear of whom he stood bound fast Hand and foot helpless to the vessel's mast, Yet would not stop his ears: daring their song He groaned and sweated till that shore was past.”
Robert Graves (1895–1985) first seen 1930 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ulysses" from Poems 1930-1933 (1933)
“Yours is the guilt of all, who, judging wrong, Mistake tuned nonsense for the poet's song! Provoking dulness!—what a soul has he Who fancies rhyme, and measure, poetry!— He thinks, profanely, that this generous art Stops at the ear—with power to shake the heart.”
Aaron Hill (writer) first seen 1731 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Advice to the Poets (1731), p. 32
“But while listening Senates hang upon thy tongue, Devolving through the maze of eloquence A roll of periods, sweeter than her song.”
James Thomson (poet, born 1700) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He ceased; but still their trembling ears retained The deep vibrations of his witching song.”
James Thomson (poet, born 1700) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A thrush, because I'd been wrong, Burst rightly into song In a world not vague, not lonely, Not governed by me only.”
Richard Wilbur (1921–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Aiyyo; I heard your single, you better make a whole new song”
Big L (1974–1999) said by 1999 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If ever there was a theme song for the business end of the industry, it's: "We can't do that; we didn't do that yesterday.”
Frank Miller (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.”
John Masefield (1878–1967) first seen 1902 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: This is the original version of 1902. In later versions, the author inserted the word 'go' ("I must go down to the seas again").
“There's a bower of roses by Bendemeer's stream, And the nightingale sings round it all the day long; In the time of my childhood 'twas like a sweet dream, To sit in the roses and hear the bird's song.”
Thomas Moore (1779–1852) said by 1852 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee: Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty! God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity.”
Reginald Heber (1783–1826) said by 1826 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Holy" (1827)
“What is our life but a succession of preludes to that unknown song whose first solemn note is sounded by death?”
Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) first seen 1820 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Méditations Poétiques (1820), Second series, Sermon 15
“With fingers weary and worn, With eyelids heavy and red, A woman sat, in unwomanly rags, Plying her needle and thread— Stitch! stitch! stitch! In poverty, hunger, and dirt, And still with a voice of dolorous pitch She sang the “Song of the Shirt.”
Thomas Hood (1799–1845) said by 1845 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Where the ring of twilight gleams Round the sanctuary wrought, Whispers haunt me — in my dreams We are one yet know it not. Some for beauty follow long Flying traces; some there be Seek thee only for a song: I to lose myself in thee.”
George William Russell (1867–1935) said by 1935 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The song seraphically free Of taint of personality, So pure that it salutes the suns The voice of one for millions, In whom the millions rejoice For giving their one spirit voice.”
George Meredith (1828–1909) said by 1909 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Full lasting is the song, though he, The singer, passes”
George Meredith (1828–1909) first seen 1888 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Thrush in February, st. 17 (1888)
“Eat thou and drink; to-morrow thou shalt die. Surely the earth, that's wise being very old, Needs not our help. Then loose me, love, and hold Thy sultry hair up from my face; that I May pour for thee this golden wine, brim-high, Till round the glass thy fingers glow like gold. We'll drown all hours: thy song, while hours are toll'd, Shall leap, as fountains veil the changing sky.”
Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) said by 1882 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Silence more musical than any song.”
Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) said by 1894 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sonnet. Rest; reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“Angels’ song, comforting as the comfort of Christ When he spake tenderly to his sorrowful flock.”
Robert Bridges (1844–1930) first seen 1913 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Noel Christmas Eve 1913.
“I have loved flowers that fade, Within whose magic tents Rich hues have marriage made With sweet unmemoried scents: A honeymoon delight, A joy of love at sight, That ages in an hour My song be like a flower!”
Robert Bridges (1844–1930) first seen 1879 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Bk. II, No. 13, I Have Loved Flowers That Fade, st. 1 (1879).
“I don't concentrate on technical things like where a microphone is placed and things like that. As a producer, I try to keep the initial feeling from when I first heard a song and make sure we do what were initially aiming for. source”
Guy Berryman (born 1978) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That song is all about someone who's drunk with technology, who thinks they're the controlling living being on this planet. It's another one I'm not singing as myself.”
Eddie Vedder (born 1964) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's about first relationships. The song is about letting go. It’s very rare for a relationship to withstand the Earth’s gravitational pull and where it’s going to take people and how they’re going to grow. I’ve heard it said that you can’t really have a true love unless it was a love unrequited. It’s a harsh one, because then your truest one is the one you can’t have forever.”
Eddie Vedder (born 1964) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend, Before we too into the Dust Descend; Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie, Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer and — sans End!”
Omar Khayyám (1048–1131) said by 1131 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: XXIII (1859) · XXIV (1889)
“Indeed the Idols I have loved so long Have done my credit in this World much wrong: Have drown'd my Glory in a shallow Cup And sold my Reputation for a Song.”
Omar Khayyám (1048–1131) said by 1131 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: XCIII (1889)
“Say the opposite, say the opposite, say the same thing, say the same thing. (song/refrain on "The Show").”
“Give me bitter years of sickness, Suffocation, insomnia, fever, Take my child and my lover, And my mysterious gift of song — This I pray at your liturgy After so many tormented days, So that the stormcloud over darkened Russia Might become a cloud of glorious rays.”
Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Prayer," translated by Judith Hemschemeyer in Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova (1989)