Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, was a legendary American jazz musician, singer, and trumpet player. Born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Armstrong rose to fame in the 1920s and became one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. Throughout his career, he entertained audiences around the world with his unique vocals and innovative trumpet playing.
Armstrong’s talent extended beyond his musical skills; he was also known for his witty and insightful quotes. His words continue to inspire and entertain people from all walks of life. Whether you’re a fan of jazz, music in general, or simply appreciate a good quote, you’ll find something to love about Louis Armstrong’s quotes and sayings.
In this article, we have compiled some of the most memorable quotes by Louis Armstrong. From musings on music and life to reflections on race and equality, Armstrong’s words are a testament to his talent, resilience, and infectious personality. Whether you’re looking for a dose of inspiration or a good laugh, these quotes offer a glimpse into the mind of a true jazz icon.
Famous Quotes by Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong, the legendary jazz musician and trumpeter, left behind a treasure trove of inspiring quotes. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “What we play is life.”
- “I never tried to prove nothing, just wanted to give a good show. My life has always been my music, it’s always come first, but the music ain’t worth nothing if you can’t lay it on the public. The main thing is to live for that audience, ’cause what you’re there for is to please the people.”
- “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.”
- “Seems to me it ain’t the world that’s so bad but what we’re doing to it, and all I’m saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we’d give it a chance. Love, baby, love. That’s the secret.”
- “Pops taught me everything there is to know about music.”
- “If I don’t practice for a day, I know it. If I don’t practice for two days, the critics know it. And if I don’t practice for three days, the public knows it.”
- “There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ’em.”
- “The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night, or something said long ago.”
These quotes capture the essence of Louis Armstrong’s passion for music, his love for the audience, and his belief in the power of love and nostalgia. They serve as a reminder of his incredible talent and his profound impact on the world of jazz.
Inspiring Sayings from Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong is not only known for his legendary talent as a jazz musician, but also for his wisdom and inspiring words. Here are some of his most memorable sayings:
- “What we play is life.”
- “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.”
- “There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.”
- “You gotta listen to the man playing the horn. Listen to the tone, the sound. If you don’t feel something then you won’t know what I’m talking about.”
- “Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No matter what kind it is.”
- “Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine, I look right into the heart of good old New Orleans. It has given me something to live for.”
- “I never tried to prove nothing, just always wanted to give a good show. My life has always been my music, it’s always come first, but the music ain’t worth nothing if you can’t lay it on the public. The main thing is to live for that audience, ’cause what you’re there for is to please the people.”
- “There’s no such thing as a wrong note.”
- “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
- “What we need is a lot more love and less fighting and fussing over the little things that don’t matter.”
These sayings reflect Louis Armstrong’s love for music, his dedication to his craft, and his belief in the power of music to bring people together. They serve as a reminder to us all to follow our passion and to spread love and joy through our art.
Wisdom from Louis Armstrong
- “I never tried to prove nothing, just wanted to give a good show. My life has always been my music, it’s always come first, but the music ain’t worth nothing if you can’t lay it on the public. The main thing is to live for that audience, ’cause what you’re there for is to please the people.”
- “There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.”
- “Musicians don’t retire. They stop when there’s no more music in them.”
- “What we play is life.”
- “You got to have a song, if your going to be singing, or a tune when you’re swinging. It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.”
- “The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the backyard on a hot night or something said long ago.”
- “Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No matter what kind it is.”
- “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
- “I don’t think I ever saw a jazz musician who didn’t have a smile on their face while they were playing. We just have fun.”
Memorable Lines from Louis Armstrong
1. “What we play is life.”
For Louis Armstrong, music was more than just a form of entertainment. It was a way of expressing the essence of life itself.
2. “Hot can be cool, and cool can be hot, and each can be both. But hot or cool, man, jazz is jazz.”
In this quote, Armstrong captures the essence of jazz music – its ability to bridge the gap between different styles and emotions.
3. “There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.”
Armstrong had a strong sense of musical integrity and believed in playing only the best music.
4. “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.”
For Armstrong, music was a lifelong passion. He believed that musicians would only stop playing when they no longer had the inspiration to create.
5. “I always make it a point to carry a flag in every parade I’m in. Show respect for your country. It shows you appreciate what it stands for.”
Armstrong, a proud American, believed in showing respect for his country and its values.
These memorable lines from Louis Armstrong continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world. They reflect his passion for music, his belief in the power of jazz, and his love for his country.
Notable Quotes by Louis Armstrong
“Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music.” – Louis Armstrong
“There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.” – Louis Armstrong
“All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard a horse sing a song.” – Louis Armstrong
“There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ’em.” – Louis Armstrong
“You can’t play a note that ain’t there.” – Louis Armstrong
“What we play is life.” – Louis Armstrong
“Seems to me it ain’t the world that’s so bad but what we’re doin’ to it.” – Louis Armstrong
“If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” – Louis Armstrong
“I never tried to prove nothing, just wanted to give a good show. My life has been my music, and I wanted to share it with the folks who loved me.” – Louis Armstrong
Timeless Wisdom from Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was not just a legendary jazz musician, but also a wise philosopher of life. Through his music and words, he shared profound insights that resonate with people across generations. Here are some of his most memorable quotes and sayings:
- “What we play is life.”
- “Music is life itself.”
- “There is two kinds of music, the good and the bad. I play the good kind.”
- “All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard a horse sing a song.”
- “Musicians don’t retire, they stop when there’s no more music in them.”
- “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
- “The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician.”
- “What we do is secret – something between God and me.”
- “People who don’t understand jazz are the same people who don’t understand the blues.”
- “If you can’t find anything good to say about someone, come sit next to me.”
These timeless words from Louis Armstrong remind us of the power and beauty of music, and the importance of embracing and cherishing the moments we have. They encourage us to find joy in life and appreciate the unique qualities of jazz and the blues. Let’s carry this wisdom with us and let the music play on.
Iconic Sayings by Louis Armstrong
1. “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.”
2. “What we play is life.”
3. “Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No matter what kind it is.”
4. “When you play jazz, you play happiness. You play love. You play joy.”
5. “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
6. “There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.”
7. “You can’t play a note on the horn that hasn’t already been played.”
8. “The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician.”
9. “Man, if you have to ask what it is you’ll never know.”
10. “What we need is some more American music.”
Thought-provoking Quotes from Louis Armstrong
1. “Music is life itself.”
2. “What we play is life.”
3. “You can’t play a note you haven’t learned yet.”
4. “You gotta listen to the melody and the words if you want to play a melody right.”
5. “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
6. “Making mistakes is part of life. The good thing is, you get a chance to fix them the next time around.”
7. “You blows who you is.”
8. “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music left in them.”
9. “There’s two kinds of music – the good, and the other kind.”
10. “If you have to ask what swing is, you’ll never get it.”
These thought-provoking quotes from Louis Armstrong remind us of the deep connection between music and life. The legendary jazz musician’s words emphasize the importance of music as an expression of the soul, the necessity of practice and dedication, and the timeless nature of great music. Armstrong’s insights on the essence of jazz and swing also highlight the intangible qualities that make these genres so captivating. Whether you’re a musician or simply a lover of music, these quotes will inspire you to appreciate the power and beauty of this universal language.