I was always a politician from the day the civil rights people chose me as their protest singer.

When a child is gifted, people try to help that child.

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.

The worst thing about that kind of prejudice... is that while you feel hurt and angry and all the rest of it, it feeds you self-doubt. You start thinking, perhaps I am not good enough.

I feel more alive now than I ever have in my life. I have a chance to live, as I've dreamed.

What is love but a prelude to sorrow...with heartache ahead for your goal.

I think if I were over there in America, protest music would be more important. But I'm not going.