Talent Quotes

Sam Phillips asked me to go write a love song, or maybe a bitter weeper. So I wrote a song called, "Cry Cry Cry," went back in and recorded that for the other side of the record.

It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a point and makes sense, then people like to read that. But if it's off in left field and goes over the edge, you lose it. The same with musical talent, I think.

I'm ambitious. But if I weren't as talented as I am ambitious, I would be a gross monstrosity.

One thing I've learned is that I'm not the owner of my talent; I'm the manager of it.

I wanted to be famous for my music and my talent, and I always wished I could cut it out when I left the stage.

What I like about Elvis is the same I like about James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince. These guys, back in the day, there was no smoke and mirrors. It was just raw talent.

People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and know how to use it.

Find out what your gift is and nurture it.

Man, I was tame compared to what they do now. Are you kidding? I didn't do anything but just jiggle.

But I did go to music really early on, even when I was 4 or 5, I was responding to music probably in ways other kids were not.

As a performer I've played for 50,000 people and I've played for 50 people and I can tell you that it is harder to play for 50 people. 50,000 people have a singular persona, not so with 50. Each person has an individual, separate identity, a world unto themselves. They can perceive things more clearly. Your honesty and how it relates to the depth of your talent is tried.

A song is like a dream, and you have to make it come true. They're like strange countries that you have to enter. You can write a song anywhere, in a railroad compartment, on a boat, on horseback -- it helps to be moving. Sometimes people who have the greatest talent for writing songs never write any because they are not moving.

He can afford to be unassuming because he has what it takes. A man with lightning in his pocket doesn't ever brag.

No matter how talented you are, not everyone is going to like you, but that's life. Stay strong.

The first time that I appeared on stage, it scared me to death. I really didn't know what all the yelling was about. I didn't realize that my body was moving. It's a natural thing to me. So to the manager backstage I said, 'What'd I do? What'd I do?' And he said "Whatever it is, go back and do it again.

Rhythm is something you either have or don't have, but when you have it, you have it all over.

I was a strange, loud little kid who could sit at the piano and kill a Beethoven piece.

Some people are just born stars - you either have it or you haven't, and I was definitely born one.

Investing in yourself is the best thing you can do. If you've got talents, no one can take them from you.

No matter how great the talent or efforts, some things just take time.