Billie Holiday

Singer

Billie Holiday was a pioneering jazz singer known for her emotive voice and poignant songs like 'Strange Fruit,' which addressed racial injustice.

Born
April 7, 1915
Died
July 17, 1959
Quotes
51
Rank
#872

Quote collection

Billie Holiday quotes (page 3 of 3)

51 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Billie Holiday Singer
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"When Lester plays, he almost seems to be singing; one can almost hear the words."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"The only reason they're out there is to see me fall into the damn orchestra pit."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"Lust may be in the heart, though it be not seen by others; as guests may be in the house, though they look not out at the windows."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"I try to improvise like Les Young, Louis Armstrong or someone else I admire. What comes out is what I feel."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"If I don't have friends, then I ain't nothing."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"I can only sing songs my way. I don't know any other way."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"New Orleans is the only city in the world you go in to buy a pair of nylon stockings they want to know your head size."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"I can't stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"In this country, don't forget, a habit is no damn private hell. There's no solitary confinement outside of jail. A habit is hell for those you love. And in this country it's the worst kind of hell for those who love you."

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Billie Holiday Singer
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"In this country kings or dukes don't amount to nothing. The greatest man around then was Franklin D. Roosevelt, and he was the President; so I started calling Lester the President. It got shortened to Pres."

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