139 Quotes by Nina Simone

They don’t know that I’m dead, and my ghost is holding on.

Once I understood Bach’s music, I wanted to be a concert pianist. Bach made me dedicate my life to music, and it was that teacher who introduced me to his world.

To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt, and that’s not what I play. I play black classical music.

I would like a man now who is rich, and who can give me a boat – a sailboat. I want to own it and let him pay for it. My first love is the sea and water, not music. Music is second.

It’s a good time for black people to be alive.

I feel what they feel. And people who listen to me know that, and it makes them feel like they’re not alone.

I try to swim every damn day I can, and I’ve learned to scuba dive and snorkel.

I was not reluctant to become a singer. Singing has been an activity I’ve done my whole life, without thought.

Having as little to do with human beings as possible – in some weird way, I’m at peace.