Kate Smith Quotes

Public and employer opinion often defeat society's best interests with a prejudice against middle-aged women.

I have been extremely lucky with reviewers and critics throughout my career.

And when all is said and done, there is no greater success in the world than just being happy.

I have always examined closely the motives of any group for which I am asked to raise money.

I could see myself in a white nurse's uniform, working unnoticed for many years and at last dying, unknown, unmarried and unsung.

An entertainer should in his public performance keep himself out of any controversy, political or otherwise.

Ice cream was my undoing, and six chocolate milk shakes in a row were nothing to me at one time.

I learn my songs by ear.

I sometimes get that wonderful sympathy between me and the audience, telling me I've reached their hearts. And when I do, the thrill is mine.

Every small town has its dramatic group, its barber-shop quartet, every home has music in one form or another.

It has been said that genius is only the power of making continuous effort. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it. We are told that there is no failure, except in no longer trying - no defeat, except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own weakness of purpose.

As soon as I began to earn what might be called fairly large sums, I bought a car and began to explore the country around New York.

I am continually embarrassed by people who point me out as an example of what can be done without training.

There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

Middle-aged women have greater stability, they are more loyal, and their capacity for steady work is greater than that of younger women.

This nation loves singing and loves acting.

I have personally believed in every product I have ever advertised.

I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.

I shall always respect the composer. If I embellish, it is his idea I am embellishing.

I was always daydreaming about singing in big productions on Broadway.

Because of my voice, speaking words which had been carefully chosen, women had used money they had set aside for other purposes to buy war bonds.

Intelligent analysis of the composer's intention and strict adherence to it automatically ensures sincerity.

My singing is part of me, like my stoutness, or my light hair, or my poor eyesight.

after several months of probation work, standing on my feet some ten to twelve hours a day, I decided that as a nurse I was a pretty good entertainer.

During the presidential primaries of 1940, I received a request from the Democratic National Committee to sing God Bless America before the speeches.

I could not separate myself off stage from myself on stage, as so many actors can.

In 29 years, I had recorded over 2,200 songs. I was amazed.

I have never known stage-fright at any time.

I am exceedingly lucky that my voice, along with perfect pitch and perfect rhythm, was given me at birth.

I vowed that whenever my family needed me, I would give up everything to go to them, no matter what. The show must go on was meaningless to me.

I must work hard to make my singing above reproach; there must be no faults which hard work would take care of.

I know I'm fat and I know my hair is straight, but I can sing.

I just can't read music.

I love animals to the extent that my home is my dog's home! Which means that nothing is too good for my Freckles-chairs, couches, beds. But I do draw the line on chipmunks nibbling at my table linens, bedding, blankets, etc.