99 Quotes by Billie Holiday

Sometimes it’s worse to win a fight than to lose.

I can’t stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession. If you can, then it ain’t music, it’s close order drill, or exercise or yodeling or something, not music.

You can’t copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling.

I can only sing songs my way. I don’t know any other way.

I’ve been told that nobody sings the word ‘hunger’ like I do.

The only reason they’re out there is to see me fall into the damn orchestra pit.

They think they can make fuel from horse manure – now, I don’t know if your car will be able to get 30 miles to the gallon, but it’s sure gonna put a stop to siphoning.

If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling. No two people on earth are alike, and it’s got to be that way in music or it isn’t music.

There’s no damn business like show business – you have to smile to keep from throwing up.