Music quotes
3.1K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Explore further
Browse quotes that often appear alongside music — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
Quote collection
Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.
"I began to realize that some of the things Ornette Coleman had said about things being played three or fours ways, independently of each other, were true because Bach had also composed that way."
"What is my definition of jazz? "Safe sex of the highest order.""
"The human attitude of which classical music is the expression is always the same; it is always based on the same kind of insight into life and strives for the same kind of victory over blind change. Classical music as gesture signifies knowledge of the tragedy of the human condition, affirmation of human destiny, courage, cheerful serenity."
"My ex-wife was trying to be nice once, so she took me to a concert in Los Angeles. I went with her to Symphony Hall, and the orchestra was playing. When the show started, the spotlight was sharp on this one man (Andres Segovia) and he had sombrero on and his guitar propped up like this and, oh man ... he was a master ! - I really heard it. That one guitar sounded like a whole orchestra to me."
"Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory; Odors, when sweet violets sicken, Live within the sense they quicken."
"The affairs of music ought, somehow, to terminate in the love of the beautiful."
"I was in New York, miserable because I was working supper clubs but I wasn't expressing myself. I was really unhappy with my life. I saw Max Roach again and he told me I didn't have to do things like that. He made me an honest woman on the stage. I have been performing in that tradition since. I feel that I'm a serious performer now whereas then I wanted to be but I didn't know how."
"I think that's what really a substantial work is, it's forever. It's the truth now and it was the truth then, and it will be the truth tomorrow."
"A day out-of-doors, someone I loved to talk with, a good book and some simple food and music - that would be rest."
"I've accomplished enough with the music that I haven't had to go out there and do other things to over-saturate."
"But right now we have an advantage of being the number one in music."
"O Music! Miraculous art! A blast of thy trumpet and millions rush forward to die; a peal of thy organ and uncounted nations sink down to pray."
"I'm always looking for ways to develop as a Jazz artist, to find different ways of using my voice."
"I let my music take me where my heart wants to go."
"Every accomplishment, every refined talent, every useful attainment in mathematics, music, and in all sciences, and art belong to the Saints."
"Some wise being organized my system, and gave me my capacity, put into my heart and brain something that delights, charms, and fills me with rapture at the sound of sweet music."
"...the people at large absolutely gave James Brown respect. He was an original like a Rembrandt or a Picasso"
"I finally realized that my relaxation is practicing the piano and writing. I've tried to do other things, but I've learned through the decades, that this is what I enjoy, practicing music and writing."
"When I had nothing else, I had my mother and the piano. And you know what? They were all I needed."
"How soar sweet music is, when time is broke, and no proportion kept!"
