Slavery has never been abolished from America's way of thinking.

I believe the time will come when the whole definition of pop music will change. It will get to the point where a song will not be a good song until it has a high level of creativity in writing and performance. In other words, in order to be popular, songs will have to meet these high standards.

I feel what they feel. And people who listen to me know that, and it makes them feel like they're not alone.

My singing, if you want to call it that is merely another medium of expression. Just an instrument I play. That's how I see my voice.

I try to swim every damn day I can, and I've learned to scuba dive and snorkel.

I made wine from the lilac tree/Put my heart in its recipe/It makes me see what I want to see/And be what I want to be

It's logical that people from bad times will reflect their feelings in their communication. Music is part of the communication. If you lived it, you can do it.