Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It's transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening.

If you disrespect everybody that you run into, how in the world do you think everybody's supposed to respect you?

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

I've been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well.

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

Clark Terry is an American Master. I love to listen to him, particularly 'Mumbles.' I was so delighted when we received degrees together, along with Edward Kennedy, at the New England Conservatory in 1997.

I don't feel one's personal medical condition is everybody's business. It just isn't something you advertise, and it's not open to discussion.