I'm never tired of going to the studio. I enjoy recording and documenting everything and trying new things.
— Aretha Franklin
Music changes, and I'm gonna change right along with it.
Let's start with the church. As you know, it's my background, it's a natural setting for me and it's definitely my roots.
Yes, I've always been fashion conscious.
I always felt rock and roll was very, very wholesome music.
I'm the lady next door when I'm not on stage.
Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!
Women absolutely deserve respect.
I am doing what I love to do, and you cannot beat that, especially when the audience appreciates what you prepare for them. It's very, very gratifying.
I know people I feel are extremely talented, but I don't know that I've ever heard any geniuses.
And I was booked once to go on 'Ed Sullivan' and I got bumped and ran out the back door crying.
I've never recorded anything I didn't like.
My faith always has been and always will be important to me.
I'm a big woman. I need big hair.
Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.
Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.
I donate heavily to the church and various churches in the Detroit community and food banks.
Now, occasionally I will still have that quarter pounder because I love fast food, but you have to keep it to a minimum.
I saw the Supremes when they were still singing in little black skirts and white blouses.
Falling out of love is like losing weight. It's a lot easier putting it on than taking it off.
If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about.
I think the hardest thing is losing weight. That's the hardest thing more than anything else.
I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is.
