Aretha Franklin

My upbringing was in the church. We had to attend regularly. And, of course, the church provided a training ground for me, so to speak, as a young vocalist and certainly gave me all of the spiritual values that I needed as a young lady.

I paid my dues; I certainly did.

I like being married. It's an institution that I like.

I loved going to church. I enjoyed being a part of the choir and just doing things in and around the church. But as a young girl, I certainly enjoyed watching and listening to my dad.

I love producing, writing. I rarely write with other writers unless I have a real great respect for them. Like Burt Bacharach, or Carole Sager, or Stevie Wonder. Somebody like Smokey - like that. Otherwise, I choose to write alone.

Prince is gone. But the music will go on.

As a very small girl, I listened to Charlie Parker and loved him and Max Roach and people like that.

I sing, and the musicians kind of fit things around me.

I've met my share of guys who have insulted and assaulted my intelligence with their stories and games. I say hello and goodbye!

I'm never tired of going to the studio. I enjoy recording and documenting everything and trying new things.

Men have always been gentlemen to me - responsible people with healthy attitudes.

Politics are not my arena. Music is.

Women absolutely deserve respect.

As a parent you try to maintain a certain amount of control and so you have this tug-of-war ... You have to learn when to let go. And that's not easy.

Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!

...the people at large absolutely gave James Brown respect. He was an original like a Rembrandt or a Picasso

I'm the lady next door when I'm not on stage.

The man who gets me is getting one hell of a woman.

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.