Bessie Smith, often hailed as the “Empress of the Blues,” was a pioneering African American singer who left an indelible mark on the world of music during the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1894, Smith’s powerful voice and emotional delivery made her one of the most successful and influential blues singers of her time. She recorded extensively for Columbia Records, with hits like “Downhearted Blues” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” achieving widespread acclaim. Smith’s career was instrumental in popularizing the blues genre and influencing countless musicians who followed. Despite facing racial discrimination, she persisted, becoming one of the highest-paid black performers of her era. Tragically, Smith’s life was cut short in a car accident in 1937, but her legacy as a true icon of American music endures to this day.

Bessie Smith Quotes

1. “It’s a long old road, but I know I’m gonna find the end.”
— Bessie Smith

2. “I don’t want no drummer. I set the tempo.”
— Bessie Smith

3. “The Greatest Blues Singer in the World Will Never Stop Singing.”
— Bessie Smith

4. “Listen to my story and everything will come out true.”
— Bessie Smith

5. “When my bed is empty, Makes me feel awful mean and blue. My springs are getting rusty, Living single like I do.”
— Bessie Smith

6. “I need a little sugar in my bowl and a little hot dog in my roll.”
— Bessie Smith

7. “I ain’t good-lookin’, but I’m somebody’s angel child.”
— Bessie Smith