So many artists who came out during that time, including myself, were able to get on radio. New forms of singer-songwriters developed out of that.

You usually can't tell what's inspiring until you look back on it.

I took it to heart that in order to be a good person; you never said anything mean about anybody.

The sound of birds stops the noise in my mind.

The advancements that women have made are very threatening to men in the job place. There haven't been that many women in politics. If you look at the conventions, it's kind of pathetic how many men are the heads of companies. On the other hand, I'm not sure what the reality should be.

I had a mastectomy in 1998, and then chemo.

It didn't matter as much because I'm a singer, not an actress, but my face is more acceptable in a way now than when I first came on the scene, because I'm part black.