I had no desire to become a singer until I heard Billie Holiday. The first time I heard her on a record, it was a revelation. She sounded like a woman singing about herself.

If I love a song I hope to find a way to get other people to love it too.

Somebody called me a 'bruised romantic' once, and I like that.

If you sing honestly and sincerely to kids, they will respond with all their hearts.

Thank God for beautiful songs about feeling despair when you yourself are in despair. They really get us through.

Please believe that I do this because I am convinced that my illness cannot be helped for any length of time and I cannot bear to be a burden on anyone any longer.

I have complete artistic control, and I just do my best album every time and trust it to fate.