I need my career. That's what validates me.

I would make far more money if every song were my own, but I don't write to fill up the album with my songs.

My father worked on assembly lines in Detroit while I was growing up. Every day, I watched him do what he needed to do to support the family. But he told me, 'Life is short. Do what you want to do.'

I'd love to be the political voice of my generation, but that's not my gift.

I'm used to getting up at 7, getting breakfast, getting the kids off to school, and doing the mommy thing and the wife thing and the daughter thing.

I'm in love, sweet love. Feel me calling out your name, I feel no shame.

Typically, the theme of my albums, if there is a theme, is, 'How does it feel?' And that always leads to love songs. It just does.