Nat King Cole quotes

Nat King Cole was an American jazz pianist and singer, celebrated for his smooth voice and classic songs. His music broke racial barriers and influenced generations of artists worldwide. He remains an icon of elegance and sophistication in popular music. Here are 36 of his quotes:

I'm a musician at heart, I know I'm not really a singer. I couldn't compete with real singers. But I sing because the public buys it. (Nat King Cole)

Critics don't buy records. They get 'em free.

Nat King Cole

I'm a businessman. I work for business people. The kind of thing they say is: Now we've sold a lot of records, let's sell some more.

Nat King Cole

I felt something impossible for me to explain in words. Then when they took her away, it hit me. I got scared all over again and began to feel giddy. Then it came to me I was a father.

Nat King Cole

I ... started out to become a jazz pianist; in the meantime I started singing and I sang the way I felt and that's just the way it came out.

Nat King Cole

Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.

Nat King Cole

The buzzard told the monkey "You're chokin' me Release your hold and I'll set you free" The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said "Your story's touching but it sounds like a lie."

Nat King Cole

The people who know nothing about music are the ones always talking about it.

Nat King Cole

I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music.

Nat King Cole

I'm an interpreter of stories. When I perform it's like sitting down at my piano and telling fairy stories.

Nat King Cole

I am an American citizen and feel I am entitled to the same rights as any other citizen. (Nat King Cole)

The only sport I'm not interested in is horse racing. That's because I don't know the horses personally.

Nat King Cole

The whites come to applaud a Negro performer just like the colored do. When you've got the respect of white and colored, you can ease a lot of things.

Nat King Cole

Get me well so I can get on television and tell people to stop smoking.

Nat King Cole

Only time, education and plenty of good schooling will make anti-segregation work.

Nat King Cole

There's just one thing I can't figure out. My income tax!

Nat King Cole

I am famous because I am an African American jazz artist.

Nat King Cole

If I could read it, I could play it.

Nat King Cole

I make no claim to being a business genius. You can make so much money in this business that it loses its value.

Nat King Cole

I was a guinea pig for some hoodlums who thought they could hurt me and frighten me and keep other Negro entertainers from the South.

Nat King Cole

The Supreme Court is having a hard time integrating schools. What chance do I have to integrate audiences? (Nat King Cole)

I often wonder whether Negroes like myself who are pretty well known help out at all in breaking down barriers.

Nat King Cole

I can't bear to see myself even in movies. The feeling is complex. I can't stand the sight of myself.

Nat King Cole

I'm in the music business for one purpose - to make money.

Nat King Cole

Music is emotional, and you may catch a musician in a very unemotional mood or you may not be in the same frame of mind as the musician. So a critic will often say a musician is slipping.

Nat King Cole

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Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole - Image

Occupation: American Singer
Born: March 17, 1919
Died: February 15, 1965
Quotes count: 36
Wikipedia: Nat King Cole

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