Rhiannon Giddens Quotes

I think every good song tells a story, as ambiguous and vague as it may be. And if you know what a song is talking about, it can only help your performance.

If anyone will listen I will continue to sing.

I'm just glad to be singing songs that touch people.

Ultimately, words are only words, and its only the music that stands by itself.

I think of my songs as there to be something to move people emotionally.

I love the fact that I can go out there on stage with a guitar and sing a song that means something to somebody.

If the beat gets to the audience, and the message touches them, you've got a hit.

You know, it's funny how songs continue to grow and evolve and become a new and deeper reflection of your life.

And when I play they know I exist, and it leaves a space when I go.

I cannot conceive of music that expresses absolutely nothing.

Songs give you incredible opportunity to convey a tremendous amount in a relatively short period of time.

Because the beauty of songs, I think, is if you do it right a lot of people can relate to it in their own way and make their own meaning out of things.

Most of all, I like to sing my heart out to lyrics that really speak to people.

I'm not interested in how well someone can sing. It's what you're singing that interests me.

I really sing songs that move me. I'm not in show business. I'm in the communications business. That's what it's for me.

I loved the feeling I got when I sang. I loved the feeling that it gave to people when I sang.

Most people who ask me what's my favorite song, expect that it's 'Midnight Train' or 'Neither One of Us.' But actually, it's always kinda been 'The Need to Be' because of what it says. I love the way that song was written, I love the melody, I love everything about it.

I feel like 'Next To Me' is a great introduction because it's a simple song that has a simple message for me. I wanted to introduce something that lyrically I'm proud of and introduces me both as an artist and as a writer.

Some people try and tell you what the songs are about and it bores me to death.

When I'm singing a song, I picture somebody in particular. A lot of it is to a guy.

If I had my choice, I'd pick a song that tells a story every time. There is a great deal of pleasure in doing the vocal on a number that you can put feeling into.

I'm just excited I get to sing all the time. There's nothing but open ears of people wanting to listen.

A song has to take on character, shape, body and influence people to an extent that they use it for their own devices. It must affect them not just as a song, but as a lifestyle.

I just try to tell a story with a song, and be able to try to transmit the emotion to you. That's all I'm really trying to do.

Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.