I believe in racial memory too. I'm sure I've got ancient African blood in me that has something to do with what I am.

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

This may be a dream, but I'll say it anyway: I was supposed to be married last year, and I bought a gown. When I meet Nelson Mandela, I shall put on this gown and have the train of it removed and put aside, and kiss the ground that he walks on and then kiss his feet.

My name sounds French but that's just a stage name.

Music is an art and art has its own rules. And one of them is that you must pay more attention to it than anything else in the world, if you are going to be true to yourself. And if you don't do it - and you are an artist - it punishes you.

Talent is a burden not a joy. I am not of this planet. I do not come from you. I am not like you.

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