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

Music changes, and I'm gonna change right along with it.

Now, occasionally I will still have that quarter pounder because I love fast food, but you have to keep it to a minimum.

And I've been hurt hurt bad. I might be just twenty-six, but I'm an old woman in disguise twenty-six goin'on sixty-five.

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.

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.

My heart is still there in gospel music. It never left . . . I'm gonna make a gospel record and tell Jesus I cannot bear these burdens alone.