Sam Cooke had a huge influence on me. He left the gospel field at one point and went into the secular, and he had this huge hit, 'You Send Me.' Irma, my older sister, and I heard 'You Send Me' on the radio while we were driving through the South one night. We had to stop the car. We got out and danced around the car out on the highway.
I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is.
I'm a big woman. I need big hair.
You could call my piano my trademark, or one of my trademarks.
I love producing, writing. I rarely write with other writers unless I have a real great respect for them. Like Burt Bacharach, or Carole Sager, or Stevie Wonder. Somebody like Smokey - like that. Otherwise, I choose to write alone.
When God loves you, what can be better than that?
I like writing and don't confine myself to just the words or just the music. But I don't particularly write songs with myself in mind.
I am doing what I love to do, and you cannot beat that, especially when the audience appreciates what you prepare for them. It's very, very gratifying.
I think it would be a far greater world if people were kinder and more respectful to each other.
I've met my share of guys who have insulted and assaulted my intelligence with their stories and games. I say hello and goodbye!
I've probably cried with a lot of songs - in teenage crushes, adult crushes.
I love 'Anne of Green Gables.' I have for years. That's one of my favourite things. She's such a can-do kind of girl; that's why I'm crazy about her.
I wouldn't be without Google, and I love Facebook.
I'm the lady next door when I'm not on stage.
I haven't had the occasion to meet Adele. She lives in England. So when I'm flying, or when she comes over here, perhaps we'll have a chance. I think she's a very fine singer, a very strong writer and performer.
Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.
The term 'Sock it to me!' was a big, big thing in our neighborhood - all the kids were saying it.
I'm never tired of going to the studio. I enjoy recording and documenting everything and trying new things.
My faith always has been and always will be important to me.
I saw the Supremes when they were still singing in little black skirts and white blouses.
