I was always a very good student.

I think singing is one of the most natural things that human beings do, but it's difficult.

I have not changed with the accomplishments. I've remained the same. If I had changed, great. You know, but I haven't.

Music enabled me as a fragile young person to give voice to emotions I could barely name, and how it enables me to give my voice the unique and mysterious power to speak to others.

Every singer eventually gets around to a Christmas disc.

At this stage in my career, I don't have to take any big risks. You want to take a calculated risk, not one that leads to people saying 'yes, but there was that one time when she made that big mistake.' It's always a shame when that happens, especially if you've gotten by for decades without anything hugely tragic.

A lot of bad behavior in singers is caused by nerves.