Let's start with the church. As you know, it's my background, it's a natural setting for me and it's definitely my roots.

Better friends than lovers. Sugar can't you see? You need you and I really need me.

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

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.

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

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.

I like Beyonce's music - some of it, not all of it.