Ma Rainey Professions : Singer Born : April 26, 1886 Died : December 22, 1939 Browse All Authors Top 8 quotes by Ma Rainey If you don't like my ocean don't fish in my sea Ma Rainey mountain ocean sea They hear it come out, but they don't know how it got there. They don't understand that's life's way of talking. You don't sing to feel better. You sing cause that's a way of understanding life. Ma Rainey feel-better understanding talking This be an empty world without the blues. Ma Rainey empty world I can't tell my future, so I'm going to tell my past. Ma Rainey my-future music past [Advice to Bessie Smith:] Let your soul do the singin'. Ma Rainey music soul advice A tune's like a staircase - walk up on it. Ma Rainey staircases music tunes My audience wants to see me beautifully gowned, and I have spared no expense or pains . . . For I feel that the best is none too good for the public that pays to hear a singer. Ma Rainey singers pain want White folks hear the blues come out, but they don't know how it got there. Ma Rainey blues how know white Similar Authors Bert McCracken singer Betty Carter singer Bing Crosby singer Brian Fallon singer Brooke Allison singer Brook Benton singer All Authors
![[Advice to Bessie Smith:] Let your soul do the singin'. by Ma Rainey](https://whatsmyquote.com/images/quote-medium-quote-353497882153f707d765839dead31821.jpg)
