If I do have some success I'd like to enjoy it for heaven's sake! What is the point of having it otherwise?

The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do.

Art is the only thing you cannot punch a button for. You must do it the old-fashioned way. Stay up and really burn the midnight oil. There are no compromises.

I am here and you will know that I am the best and will hear me. The color of my skin or the kink of my hair or the spread of my mouth has nothing to do with what you are listening to.

Accomplishments have no color.

Who I am is the best I can be.

I have never given all of myself, even vocally, to anyone. I was taught to sing on your interest, not your capital.

Be black, shine, aim high.

If you're not feeling good about you, what you're wearing outside doesn't mean a thing.

You should always know when you're shifting gears in life. You should leave your era - it should never leave you.

For a long time the only time I felt beautiful-in the sense of being complete as a woman, as a human being, and even female-was when I was singing.

There have been times I have thought some dreams should never be dreamt, but I would hate a world where that was true.

Yes of course I know it's all a dream. Isn't everything?

I'm a master of speaking silently—all my life I've spoken silently and I've lived through entire tragedies in silence.

If you don't smell good, then you don't look good.

I don't care about my character here on earth.I don't care about what other people think or say about me, all I care about is my standing before the Lord.

A pitcher is worth a thousand worts.

There are no laws, there are no rules, just grab your friend and love him.

Alabama seniors all across the Third Congressional District continue facing high drug costs.

I want people to think about the connection between mothers and daughters. I like the idea of continuity of life and generations.

I've never been to a class reunion or anything because I'm always afraid of that one - there's going to be some 'Carrie'-like incident.