Leon Redbone Quotes

I think of these things as obstacles rather than opportunities, because if they were opportunities it means I actually took the business of doing them seriously. To take myself too seriously is the gentle kiss of death.

I've got a very behind-the-scenes personality. I don't know how I became a performer. I like to stay discreet, out of the public eye, very low-key.

Who told you I was a musician?

Lonesome. Lonesome. I know what it means. Here all by my lonesome, dreaming empty dreams. Weary. Weary at the close of day, wondering if tomorrow brings me joy or sorrow.

It can even be a single note which defines the entire song.

The silence between the notes is the good part for me. I find that to be a very important part of music that is often lacking.

The only thing that interests me is history - reviewing the past and making something out of it.

I extract what I consider the best material from different sources. But often the material I perform comes from a very strange location in history, which are minstrel shows.

I'm sad and blue, about nobody but you. I told you that I loved you right from the start, you told me the same and now you try to break my little heart.

The blues ain't nothing but a good man feelin' bad.

What I do and what I record only work for the moment.