--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. He had…" description: "\"I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. He had such a crazy range. And I grew up listening to old jazz, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone. I remember trying to imi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/borns-6163_billie-holiday_i-grew-up-a-huge-roy-orbison-fan-he-had_2294143.jpg" --- # I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. He had such a crazy… ![“I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. He had such a crazy range. And I grew up listening to old jazz, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone. I remember trying to imitate female jazz singers because I had a higher range.” quote by Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/borns-6163_billie-holiday_i-grew-up-a-huge-roy-orbison-fan-he-had_2294143.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/borns-6163_billie-holiday_i-grew-up-a-huge-roy-orbison-fan-he-had_2294143.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/borns-6163_billie-holiday_i-grew-up-a-huge-roy-orbison-fan-he-had_2294143.jpg) > “I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. He had such a crazy range. And I grew up listening to old jazz, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone. I remember trying to imitate female jazz singers because I had a higher range.” [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on early musical influences, noting admiration for Roy Orbison’s vocal range and exposure to jazz legends, shaping personal taste and attempts at imitation. **In simple terms:** Early music exposure shaped taste and vocal experimentation. Key Takeaway Explore diverse music to broaden artistic horizons. Themes music appreciation influence vocal development Mood nostalgic reflective Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - learning an instrument - vocal training - music education - personal identity formation Key Concepts cultural exposure genre blending Questions to Reflect On - How did these influences affect your own musical style? - What other genres could you explore? A Different Perspective Limited to personal anecdote; may not generalize to others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Billie holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billie-holiday/) [Crazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crazy/) [Grew Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grew-listening/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Nina Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nina-simone/) [Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old/) [Old Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-jazz-1511554/) [Orbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orbison-2225105/) [Orbison Fan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orbison-fan-5401875/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Roy Orbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roy-orbison-1044840/) ## Related quotes > [“I was always fishing for something on the radio. Just like trains and bells, it was part of the soundtrack of my life. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/i-was-always-fishing-for-something-on-the-radio-just-like-trains-and/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Roy Orbison is singing for the lonely, hey, that's me and I want you only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/roy-orbison-is-singing-for-the-lonely-hey-that-s-me-and-i-want-you/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The first concert I ever saw was Roy Orbison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-a-d-aniello/the-first-concert-i-ever-saw-was-roy-orbison/) [Daniel A. D'Aniello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-a-d-aniello/) > [I guess my biggest influence was actually my Grandfather. He used to play old records on vinyl, and would play old jazz and soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-henderson/i-guess-my-biggest-influence-was-actually-my-grandfather-he-used-to/) [Ella Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-henderson/) > [My big influences are Joni Mitchell, and a lot of classical and Indian music, as well as Nina Simone and the personal blues and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yael-naim/my-big-influences-are-joni-mitchell-and-a-lot-of-classical-and-indian/) [Yael Naim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yael-naim/) > [One day, I'd like to tackle a biopic. I grew up very influenced by Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zazie-beetz/one-day-i-d-like-to-tackle-a-biopic-i-grew-up-very-influenced-by/) [Zazie Beetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zazie-beetz/) > [I'm influenced a lot by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, even Paul Weller - Billie Holiday as well: People who wrote and sang songs that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hozier/i-m-influenced-a-lot-by-nina-simone-stevie-wonder-even-paul-weller/) [Hozier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hozier/) > [I say that I do soul, R&B music. I have so many influences, from Billie Holiday, Nina Simone to Stevie Wonder and Prince and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/i-say-that-i-do-soul-r-b-music-i-have-so-many-influences-from-billie/) [Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/) > [“And when we pressed our heads to each other's hearts how did we not hear Carmen McRae singing? In Angela's fisted hands, Billie Holiday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-woodson/and-when-we-pressed-our-heads-to-each-other-s-hearts-how-did-we-not/) [Jacqueline Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-woodson/) > ['Band Played On' is a good one. Barbara Orbison, who was Roy's wife, was involved in publishing in Nashville because she oversaw Roy's publishing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-walsh/band-played-on-is-a-good-one-barbara-orbison-who-was-roy-s-wife-was/) [Joe Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-walsh/) > [My vocal influences are a lot of jazz singers: Billie Holiday, Julie London, they had this tenderness to their voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/my-vocal-influences-are-a-lot-of-jazz-singers-billie-holiday-julie/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I listen to old jazz and classical music, and that's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-g/i-listen-to-old-jazz-and-classical-music-and-that-s-it/) [Kenny G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-g/) > [I listen to a mixture of old jazz, contemporary, pop, some world beat stuff and various odds and ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-listen-to-a-mixture-of-old-jazz-contemporary-pop-some-world-beat/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [Are you kidding? That's the music of the spheres, commissar. It's beautiful. Like old jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-watts/are-you-kidding-that-s-the-music-of-the-spheres-commissar-it-s/) [Peter Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-watts/) > [I like to shop for old jazz albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-cephas-jones/i-like-to-shop-for-old-jazz-albums/) [Ron Cephas Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-cephas-jones/) ## More by Borns > [I have these lacy shirts that look kind of like my grandma's curtains that I wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-have-these-lacy-shirts-that-look-kind-of-like-my-grandma-s-curtains/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I don't want to make a living. I want to make a life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-don-t-want-to-make-a-living-i-want-to-make-a-life/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I always go thrift shopping wherever I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-always-go-thrift-shopping-wherever-i-am/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [My parents played the Bee Gees; Earth, Wind & Fire; Michael Jackson. The best pop music to infiltrate a child's mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/my-parents-played-the-bee-gees-earth-wind-fire-michael-jackson-the/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [No one pursued music professionally in my family but they are all music lovers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/no-one-pursued-music-professionally-in-my-family-but-they-are-all/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [The more you practice something, the more you are aware of what you're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/the-more-you-practice-something-the-more-you-are-aware-of-what-you-re/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [That's the worst and best thing about being in the studio, feeling completely lost and not knowing how to put the final touch on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/that-s-the-worst-and-best-thing-about-being-in-the-studio-feeling/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [When I was growing up, there were a few musicians who would have regular gigs at restaurants, and I always thought it was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/when-i-was-growing-up-there-were-a-few-musicians-who-would-have/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I grew up watching 'The Tonight Show' and Jimmy Fallon on 'SNL.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-grew-up-watching-the-tonight-show-and-jimmy-fallon-on-snl/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I just love catchy melodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-just-love-catchy-melodies/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [A lot of people think I'm a chick. It happens the most at airports. The flight attendants will always say, 'Have a nice flight,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-a-chick-it-happens-the-most-at-airports-the/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I feel like piano is my main instrument. I'm most comfortable on the piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-feel-like-piano-is-my-main-instrument-i-m-most-comfortable-on-the/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I was pretty young when my folks were playing those kinds of records, '70s rock and psychedelic stuff. So I just remember those songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-was-pretty-young-when-my-folks-were-playing-those-kinds-of-records/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I don't wash my hair that often, to be honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-don-t-wash-my-hair-that-often-to-be-honest/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) > [I bought a Three Dog Night album when I was pretty young, and I remember listening to all those songs. That's just greatly crafted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/borns/i-bought-a-three-dog-night-album-when-i-was-pretty-young-and-i/) [Borns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) [Explore all 99 Borns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/borns/) ## More Billie holiday quotes > [My mother says I was two-and-a-half when I started playing. My father was a minister, and when he went to church in the morning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/my-mother-says-i-was-two-and-a-half-when-i-started-playing-my-father/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) > [With few exceptions, every major pop singer in the US during her generation has been touched in some way by her genius. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sinatra/with-few-exceptions-every-major-pop-singer-in-the-us-during-her/) [Frank Sinatra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sinatra/) > [Billie Holiday's voice was the voice of living intensity of soul in the true sense of that greatly abused word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-feather/billie-holiday-s-voice-was-the-voice-of-living-intensity-of-soul-in/) [Leonard Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-feather/) > [I love to sing old Motown songs to myself, or some Patti Smith Edith Piaf or Billie Holiday. That gets me in the mood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siobhan-fahey/i-love-to-sing-old-motown-songs-to-myself-or-some-patti-smith-edith/) [Siobhan Fahey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siobhan-fahey/) > [ The other songs \[of Billie Holiday\] - "Body and Soul" is like the standard - I also wanted some songs that I knew I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/the-other-songs-of-billie-holiday-body-and-soul-is-like-the-standard/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [“Beyond the table, there is an altar, with candles lit for Billie Holiday and Willa Carter and Hypatia and Patsy Cline. Next to it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-maria-machado/beyond-the-table-there-is-an-altar-with-candles-lit-for-billie/) [Carmen Maria Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-maria-machado/) > [ \[Billie Holiday\] was keeping it super real, and you can feel that to this day. Everything that she sang, she believed in. So I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/billie-holiday-was-keeping-it-super-real-and-you-can-feel-that-to/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [My big influences are Joni Mitchell, and a lot of classical and Indian music, as well as Nina Simone and the personal blues and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yael-naim/my-big-influences-are-joni-mitchell-and-a-lot-of-classical-and-indian/) [Yael Naim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yael-naim/) > [“He died at forty-two. I was there to collect his talent. I was there at the hospital deathbed of my beloved Billie Holiday, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-died-at-forty-two-i-was-there-to-collect-his-talent-i-was-there-at/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [I know I idolise someone like Billie Holiday, but I don't look at her and think I have to imitate her lifestyle, to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-stansfield/i-know-i-idolise-someone-like-billie-holiday-but-i-don-t-look-at-her/) [Lisa Stansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-stansfield/) > [I feel like, in many ways, Billie Holiday's still very under-appreciated as an artist. People focus on her voice, and all of the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/i-feel-like-in-many-ways-billie-holiday-s-still-very-under/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [I know the history of the record business so well because I followed Billie Holiday into the record studios. It was so primitive compared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/i-know-the-history-of-the-record-business-so-well-because-i-followed/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) > [If you look at the other singers of Billie Holiday's time, they were really trying to entertain. They were trying to make people feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/if-you-look-at-the-other-singers-of-billie-holiday-s-time-they-were/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [I also tried to focus on songs that Billie Holiday wrote, songs that she had a hand in shaping, like "Strange Fruit"; songs that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/i-also-tried-to-focus-on-songs-that-billie-holiday-wrote-songs-that/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [I've made my own music, and the way I've always described it is Peggy Lee with an electric guitar, or Billie Holiday with some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-rachel-wood/i-ve-made-my-own-music-and-the-way-i-ve-always-described-it-is-peggy/) [Evan Rachel Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-rachel-wood/) [Browse all 86 Billie holiday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billie-holiday/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. 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