I always thought my days spent in darkness [as a child she had cataracts and was unable to see for nearly four years] gave me a very special sensitivity. Much later, when I really wanted to hear, really 'see' a song, I'd close my eyes, and when I wanted to bring it out of the very depths of myself, out of my guts, out of my belly, when the song had to come from far away, I'd close my eyes.

I want to die young. I think it's awful to get old, and sickness is ugly.

Performers and their public should never meet. Once the curtain comes down, the performer should fly away like a magician's dove.

To be successful in my native France, where people speak the same language and understand me, is nothing.

I think you have to pay for love with bitter tears.

I always thought my days spent in darkness [as a child she had cataracts and was unable to see for nearly four years] gave me a very special sensitivity. Much later, when I really wanted to hear, really 'see' a song, I'd close my eyes, and when I wanted to bring it out of the very depths of myself, out of my guts, out of my belly, when the song had to come from far away, I'd close my eyes.

Use your faults, use your defects; then you're going to be a star.