Ella Fitzgerald

Music American 1917 – 1996 94 quotes

An American jazz singer often referred to as the 'First Lady of Song,' 'Queen of Jazz,' and 'Lady Ella,' known for her purity of tone, impeccable phrasing, and improvisation.

Quotes by Ella Fitzgerald

Dreams are the touchstones of our character.

Letter excerpt

I never stop learning; every song teaches me something new.

Interview 1980

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

Witty remark

My life has been a song of survival.

Personal reflection 1996

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Speech

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

Interview

The voice of the people is the voice of God.

Personal reflection

Improvisation is the essence of jazz; it's life in the moment.

Professional observation 1940

I've sung through pain and joy; that's what makes it real.

Interview 1975

Why worry? There's only two things to worry about: whether you're well or whether you're sick. If you're well, you don't need to worry. If you're sick, you only have two things to worry about: whether you're going to live or whether you're going to die. If you're going to live, you don't need to worry. If you're going to die, you only have two things to worry about: whether you're going to heaven or hell. If you're going to heaven, you don't need to worry. If you're going to hell, you can worry all you want, but it won't do any good.

Witty remark

Legacy is what you leave behind when the music stops.

Speech 1995

I started with nothing, and I still have most of it left.

Witty remark

Sing from the heart, and the world will listen.

Professional observation

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years.

Deathbed reflection 1996