Compay Segundo quotes

Compay Segundo was a Cuban musician and composer, renowned for his contributions to traditional Cuban music, especially son and trova. His unique voice and mastery of the tres guitar made him a key figure in the Buena Vista Social Club project. He inspired generations of musicians and brought Cuban music to worldwide audiences. Here are 23 of his quotes:

My secret? A desire to work, years of dedication and loving what you do; I can't live without music. (Compay Segundo)

I've done a lot of things away from my homeland.

Compay Segundo

In order to grow old, you have to experience everything, but in moderation.

Compay Segundo

Every time I talk about this, I say: when the singer is singing, he must be respected, you must be able to hear what he's saying. You can't put a trombone and a drum up there, and a microphone on the drum, microphones on everybody. You can't hear what he's saying.

Compay Segundo

I am a scholar of life. Every night before I go to sleep, I analyze every detail of what I did that day. I evaluate things and people, which helps me avoid mistakes.

Compay Segundo

The roots of Cuban music are in my head.

Compay Segundo

Can you imagine that Cuba and Europe's youth, who had forgotten about traditional music, who only thought of rock music, are now looking back towards their grandparents? That is a phenomenon.

Compay Segundo

Towns are suffering from all these things, we should unite until we are all satisfied, man cannot be killing each other as if we were animals, as if we had no culture; that is a lack of culture.

Compay Segundo

Cubans are frantic when it comes to appreciating music.

Compay Segundo

Everyone should have a philosophy for living better.

Compay Segundo

As long as your heart beats, one is never too old. (Compay Segundo)

Young people don't want to be second to anyone. Everyone wants to be an overnight star. Look how many years I had to wait, how many roads I had to travel, how many songs I had to sing. And now I'm just beginning, never ending.

Compay Segundo

As far as pleasures, you've got to have limits. You shouldn't have too much of good things, so you'll always have a desire for more and you won't get bored.

Compay Segundo

I don't sit in the corner waiting for death: death has to pursue me. I'm going strong. I hope to reach 100 and ask for an extension, just like my grandmother did.

Compay Segundo

I am still simple, just as if I were beginning.

Compay Segundo

Ry Cooder for me is a master, a great master that has a wonderful feel for Cuban music. He's also paid tribute my talent a bit, even though I don't know half of what he knows.

Compay Segundo

When it comes to musicians, I'm like the daddy of musicians here in Cuba.

Compay Segundo

I'll only stop singing when I'm in my grave.

Compay Segundo

The music that I play and that I like is traditional music, maybe it's because of my age.

Compay Segundo

I'm still strong and in the best shape to continue living my life.

Compay Segundo

I play music the way it was played in yesteryear. (Compay Segundo)

When you here a conjunto and you hear another conjunto, you think it's like a continuation of the first. It's all the same, same, same. There's no variety, just the same music.

Compay Segundo

Because people are very interested in my poetry, in what I say.

Compay Segundo

Compay Segundo

Compay Segundo - Image

Photo: David Shankbone, CC BY-SA 3.0

Occupation: Cuban Musician
Born: November 18, 1907
Died: July 14, 2003
Quotes count: 23

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