I still think my whole career was accidental. I didn't pursue it. I feel like I'm cheating sometimes.

When I got involved with The Five Crowns who later became The Drifters, and we got this hit record, I still was looking at this as kind of a fun thing.

When the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we see. No, I won't be afraid, no, I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me.

Those things don't happen today. I feel sorry for the kids in the industry today. They have on sunglasses, eat caviar in jet planes, but they'll never know the true feeling that we did.

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall. Or the mountain should crumble to the sea. I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear, just as long as you stand by me.

I always felt I never chose music, it chose me.

I still perform it in all my shows. I'll do it as long as I'm breathing. I'm so proud it has stood the test of time.

You're writing it is how you feel. And when you're finished you put your signature on it and you mail it off and that's it. And that's how "Stand By Me" was really.

I do like what Alicia Keys and John Legend are doing. With their music, you keep your clothes on.

It doesn't take me long to write songs.

I do a lot of Vegas work and work with the comedians.

We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.

Love will always be blind, but will never be deaf.

The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.

This is the Hour of Lead – Remembered, if outlived, As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow – First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –

Before, I could only guess of who I was. Now, thanks to my art, I know who I am

Some Will Hate You Pretend They Love You Now Then Behind They Try To Eliminate You

I may be rancid butter, but I'm on your side of the bread.

It will be practicable to blot written words which you do not publish; but the spoken word it is not possible to recall. [Lat., Delere licebit Quod non edideris; nescit vox missa reverti.]

Most of the, or I should say many of the negro leaders actually suffer themselves from an inferiority complex even though they say they don't.

Good and decent people must be protected and persuaded by gentle means, but the rabble must be led by terror.