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“We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage: And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, We Poets of the proud old lineage Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why.”
James Elroy Flecker (1884–1915) first seen 1913 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Golden Journey to Samarkand (1913) Prologue
“A celebrity has just as much right to speak out as people who hold real jobs. This is America, after all, and you should not be precluded from voicing your opinions just because you sing songs, mouth other peoples' words on a sitcom or, for that matter, spin a giant multi-colored wheel on a game show.”
Pat Sajak (born 1946) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 2005 column about celebrities and politics, cited in: "Sajak says...," at ;;ex-donkey.new. posted by: Gary at 04:33 PM.
“...I don’t think of myself as a pop star. I started out as a jazz singer. And I love having the chance to just jump in and sing songs that touch me or move me.”
Helen Reddy (1941–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I do not like praises and honours Nor did I fear disdain I just stayed away. My mind, clear water, My body bound and tied For three years in Chang'an. I sing what I feel in songs In straight words, undecorated.”
Sesson Yūbai (1290–1347) said by 1347 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From: Bingatshū, as cited in: Katō, Shūichi. A History of Japanese Literature: From the Man'yōshū to Modern Times, 1997. p. 105.
“The children of Orïsha dance like there’s no tomorrow, each step praising the gods. Their mouths glorify the rapture of liberation, their hearts sing the Yoruba songs of freedom. My ears dance at the words of my language, words I once thought I’d never hear outside my head. They seem to light up the air with their delight. It’s like the whole world can breathe again.”
Tomi Adeyemi (born 1993) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For me it was a lot of fun. It was exciting. There were lots of people who came to stay from different parts of the world. You would come down in the morning and there would be different bodies on the floor or on the sofa. There would be Party socials in the house where people would sing songs and recite poems. It was a very social upbringing…”
Jackie Kay (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On her Communist upbringing in “The SRB Interview: Jackie Kay” Scottish Review of Books (21 March 2016)
“Quite a lot of female musicians are talented and can write and sing their own songs, but some usually want to do so after fallout with their employers. That is like using more emotions than your talent”
Hope Masike (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“During secondary school days, I started entertaining my friends during lunchtime...I had a sort of request songs and I would sing.”
“I want to be like Chaka Chaka, one day I want to be the ‘Queen of Africa, representing Rwanda to the world as I sing songs full of rich messages, no matter how long it will takes I will work towards that,”
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)
“The songs we sing do not grow old. The musical style may become outdated, but the word of God does not grow old.”
Aline Gahongayire (born 1986) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Aline Gahongayire is preparing to release an 'Album' by the end of this yearKigaliToday(June 4, 2021)
“The silver-voiced bell-birds, the darlings of day-time, They sing in September their songs of the May-time.”
Henry Kendall (poet) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’ll sing thee songs of Araby, And tales of wild Cashmere, Wild tales to cheat thee of a sigh, Or charm thee to a tear.”
W. G. Wills (1828–1891) first seen 1877 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I'll sing thee songs of Araby", st. 1, in Lalla Rookh (1877), with music by Frederic Clay
“They eat India’s food, breath India’s air and sing songs in praise of Pakistan. They will be kicked out of the country through the surgical strikes.”
Bandi Sanjay Kumar (born 1971) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I write from scripture, I sing scripture, whatever scripture that the Holy Spirit drops in my heart that feels relevant at the time. That's how I write and that's how we wrote almost all the songs in the album”
Mmatema Moremi (born 1992) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Since I was young, I was never afraid of a challenge. I always wanted to test myself. I’d run against the older guys. At church I wanted to sing the most challenging songs. I was always keen to be around elders at bible studies because I wanted to learn more”
Omar McLeod (born 1994) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wouldn't have even participated in Canzonissima and other similar events if I hadn't been forced by a contract. I don't sing songs destined to win.”
Patty Pravo (born 1948) first seen 1974 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Canzonissima: tutti innocenti? La Stampa (September 06, 1974)
“As long as I’m honest with my audience and sing songs that they want to hear from me, inspire and touch their hearts—that has to be my focus.”
Jaya (singer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is easy to cry while singing songs about yourself because it can easily remind you of your life experiences. But with worship sometimes you don’t even sing a word and you cry like a baby because worship is more than words. That’s why people who have not spoken since birth also have an opportunity to worship.”
Frank Edwards (born 1989) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Frank Edwards Shares Thoughts On Self Worship Songs October 19 2024
“The dusky swallows will return again, Their love-songs in thy balcony to sing, And once again will beat thy window-pane With restless, fluttering wing.But those same swallows that restrained their flight, That lingered lovingly in years before, To contemplate thy charms and my delight— Those will return no more.”
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870) said by 1870 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Anonymous translation in The Equitable Record, No. 91 (February, 1893), p. 4
“In the carrying out of the function of singing, therefore, let us always remember that we are Africans, and that we ought to sing African songs, and that in African style and fashion.”
Mojola Agbebi (1860–1917) said by 1917 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hahaha... I can't understand why people constantly speak about the romantic quality in my voice. I have never made a conscious effort to sing with an extra romantic effect. But, I do enjoy love songs, as I am a romantic person.”
Shreya Ghoshal (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sappho survives, because we sing her songs; And Æschylus, because we read his plays!”
Robert Browning (1812–1889) said by 1889 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“Replying to Anatolii Kirillovich and Ilya Savelievich to their jokes about Aurica Rotaru during one of the rehearsals in Krasnodar [Russia] ('93): - One more time, one can't here Aurica! - Well, she is echoing in Moldavian... - She is not echoing in Moldavian. I'll show you, khokhols!! Just sing, Aurica. - Well, I am not singing in the beginning... - I'm telling you: sing.”
Sofia Rotaru (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Go, forget me! why should sorrow O’er that brow a shadow fling? Go, forget me, and to-morrow Brightly smile and sweetly sing! Smile,—though I shall not be near thee; Sing,—though I shall never hear thee!”
Charles Wolfe (1791–1823) said by 1823 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Because these things Will change. We can see it now. These walls That they put up, To hold us back Will fall down. It's a revolution, It's how we'll become. Who we're Supposed to be. We'll sing hallelujah; We'll sing hallelujah. Oh.”
Taylor Swift (born 1989) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Do you want me to sing to you? I'll sing all night if it will keep the bad dreams away.”
Stephenie Meyer (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In my solitude I sing to myself a sweet lullaby, as sweet as my mother used to sing to me.”
Albert Cohen (1895–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sing lullabie, as women do, Wherewith they bring their babes to rest; And lullabie can I sing to, As womanly as can the best.”
George Gascoigne (1525–1577) said by 1577 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Talk about celestial bodies, And your angels on the wing. She wasn't much good at stickin' around--but That girl could sing. She could sing...In the dead of night, She could shine a light On some places that you've never been. In that kind of light, You could lose your sight And believe there was something to win.”
Jackson Browne (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“After a ten minute prayer, the gist of which was, "Oh Lord, just sing through Mark tonight and keep him out of the picture altogether," I considered the prospect of lining up a great number of such concerts, then staying at home and sending a cardboard likeness of myself for God to sing through.”
Mark Heard (1951–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When I was a little baby, my mama she said "Son. Travel where you will and grow to be a man And sing what must be sung, poor boy Sing what must be sung.”
Hoyt Axton (1938–1999) first seen 1963 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Greenback Dollar (1963)
“What I hate the most in the world is injustice. Unfortunately, there is a lot of injustice in the world. Once we understood the mission that God gave us in this earth that is to sing to love, try to repeat his word, spread his word, because there is no other thing that we do but sing to love, tell people to be happy. Not to hurt each other, hit each other, kill each other.”
José José (1948–2019) said by 2019 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“O Goddess! sing the wrath of Peleus' son, Achilles; sing the deadly wrath that brought Woes numberless upon the Greeks, and swept To Hades many a valiant soul, and gave Their limbs a prey to dogs and birds of air,— For so had Jove appointed,—from the time When the two chiefs, Atrides, king of men, And great Achilles, parted first as foes.”
William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) first seen 1870 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Iliad of Homer (1870), book i, line 1
“I can't sing. As a singist I am not a success. I am saddest when I sing. So are those who hear me. They are sadder even than I am.”
Artemus Ward (1834–1867) first seen 1865 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Artemus Ward, His Travels, Lecture (1865).
“I realize my strengths. The truth is, I sing ballads. People like it when I sing ballads. I seem to have a way with them. And if the cool kids can’t say anything nice about me, that’s how it is.”
Norah Jones (born 1979) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Norah Jones’ sensitivity to criticism" (12 November 2009), The Week
“And I sing and sing of awful things The pleasure that my sadness brings.”
Conor Oberst (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When you sing in English and Spanish, it's two completely different forms of expression and . . . even the people who don't speak Spanish love to hear me sing in Spanish.”
Gloria Estefan (born 1957) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: iTunes interview (released June 2, 2007)
“Of course I am downcast and tremble with pity for my state when old age and wrinkles cover me,when Eros flies about and I pursue the glorious young. Pick up your lyreand sing to us of her who wears violets on her breasts. Sing especially of her who is wandering.”
Sappho (651–570 BC) said by 570 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Fr. 58 Voigt (tr. Willis Barnstone, 1965)
“When I sing for God, I feel myself in accord with Allah, and the house of God, Mecca, is right in front of me. And I worship. When I sing for Muhammad, peace be upon him, our prophet, I feel like I am sitting right next to his tomb, Madina, and paying him respect and admitting to myself that I accept his message.”
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948–1997) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, May 1997, http://www.red-lines.co.uk/utterance/nusrat.htm
“I’ve always chosen all my own material; no one ever told me what to sing or how to sing it, but I’ve always been pressured intensely to use musicians outside of my band.”
Jane Monheit (born 1977) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Toronto Star (November 11, 2010) commenting on her first seven studio albums.
“Well, if you want to sing out, sing out, And if you want to be free, be free. 'Cause there's a million things to be, You know that there are.”
Cat Stevens (born 1948) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, originally recorded for the 1971 film Harold and Maude
“The parrot cannot be taught to sing when the vibrating membrane in its throat has hardened too much due to age. It must be taught to sing while young, before the collar line appears on its neck. So in old age it is difficult to learn how to fix the mind on God, but it can be easily learnt in youth. (234)”
Ramakrishna (1836–1886) said by 1886 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Give Him thanks, all ye His works so wondrous! Sing His honor, sing His glory, bless and magnify His Name! Jehovah’s praise endures forevermore, Amen, Amen!.”
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) said by 1809 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The libretto of an 18th-century oratorio by Joseph Haydn states in praise of Jehovah. Source: The Watchtower magazine, article: Praise the King of Eternity!, 4/1, 1996.
“Getting crazy on the Waltzers, but it's the life that I choose. Sing about the sixblade, sing about the switchback and a torture tattoo. And I been riding on a ghost train where the cars they scream and slam, And I don't know where I'll be tonight but I'd always tell you where I am.”
Mark Knopfler (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Winter is icumen in, Lhude sing Goddamm, Raineth drop and staineth slop, And how the wind doth ramm! Sing: Goddamm.”
Ezra Pound (1885–1972) first seen 1915 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ancient Music", in Blast, no. 2 (July 1915), p. 20
“The fact that nobody asks you to sing is not an indication that you should sing louder. This sounds obvious until it's applied to matters like mass transportation. There are virtually no private mass transit companies. This does not represent the failure of the market to provide a needed service, it represents the failure of an unneeded service to go away!”
L. Neil Smith (1946–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As long as there are girls, we need guy bands. However, in this day, it is not good enough to just sing great. You have to write, sing and play. We want it all.”
Ashlee Simpson (born 1984) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in: Billboard. Vol. 117, nr. 37 (10 September 2005), p. 64
“A long, soft sigh, one of those very Italian sighs that express so much, that say "Ah, signor, if only this world were an ideal world, what would I not give to be able to do as you ask, we should sit together in the Tuscan sunshine, you and I, just two men together, and we should drink a bottle of the good red wine, and we should sing, ah, how we should sing.”
Alan Coren (1938–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For me, a line has to sing before it does anything else. The great thrill is when a sentence that starts out being completely plain suddenly begins to sing, rising far above itself and above any expectation I might have had for it. That's what keeps me going on those dark December days when I think about how I could be living instead of writing.”
John Banville (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don't sing them because I couldn't sing them as well as she did. I'd rather be a first-rate version of myself than a second-rate version of anybody.”
Liza Minnelli (born 1946) first seen 1977 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Liza Minnelli, interviewed by Gene Shalit in the September 1977 issue of The Ladies Home Journal, as quoted in "Women in the News," in The Sarasota Herald-Tribune (August 24, 1977), p. 6-D