Talent Quotes

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

When you have a special gift you don't realize it because you think everyone else has the same gift.

In the end, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and those you love and work hard. I mean, work like there's no tomorrow. Train. Strive. I mean, really train and cultivate your talent to the highest degree. Be the best at what you do. Get to know more about your field than anybody alive. Use the tools of your trade, if it's books or a floor to dance on or a body of water to swim in. Whatever it is, it's yours.

My illusions didn't have anything to do with being a fine actress. I knew how third rate I was. I could actually feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was wearing inside. But, my God, how I wanted to learn, to change, to improve!

I have always had a talent for irritating women since I was fourteen.

I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and for my talent.