I think there's no sacrifice too great for family, whether it's career, singing, whatever.

Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems. We all do.

If I could be doing anything, I'd be laying on the floor in my birthday suit eating junk food and watching something dumb on TV.

I used to sing at funeral homes for families that didn't have a vocalist. I didn't get paid. I needed to sing.

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.'

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.

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