People are stubborn about what they perceive to be the right thing or the wrong thing, and it takes a long time to filter this human condition. There's a waiting period until people catch up. But if you have patience - which it takes when someone thinks differently from you - everybody always catches up. That patience is a wonderful virtue.
I love the whole aspect of music, especially the singing; I never get tired of finding new songs to sing and sing them in a way that's interesting for the public.
I'm still going strong. I have been very blessed and still am. I love singing. Obviously, at my age, I don't tour with as many dates throughout the year as I did in the past. But I do this to honor my father who was also a singer. I still miss him and his encouragement.
I thought I sounded a little like Eartha Kitt for a long time, and I didn't like it.
My mom and dad always tried to make Christmas special for us. We were poor, but it's funny because we had no idea.
It doesn't mean a thing when others tell you you're good. You have to feel it yourself.
You know the secret to dunking a ball? Big hands. You've got to be able to palm it, and I couldn't.
There are not so many songs written about love today like there were in the past. It's all changed, but that's why my songs still last as big favorites today.
As long as those things are on vinyl or tape or what have you, the record companies are going to release them someday.
For me, hearing my voice is sometimes a little nauseating, especially at Christmas.
At this stage, most of the awards I get are concerned with my longevity. Even I'm amazed at myself because there have been new generations since I've been born and new music that they create, so it's amazing to still be on the radar.
I got an invitation to go to the Olympic trials. And in the same week, I got a telegram from a... big executive at Columbia Records.
When you do interviews, you have to talk about yourself - and I like to find out about other people. I am so familiar with everything that I do. I've said it over and over again. I think it is boring.
I think it's important to cultivate as many people as you can to see which ones you jive with. And it makes you happy. If one dies, you have another one. So living is a process that you have to do by yourself, and if you can learn a few little goodies along the way that might make it easier for you, so much the better.
I cannot tell you how lucky I am: the songs that I sing, I like!
Mitch Miller knew exactly what he wanted me to sing. He didn't want me to improvise at all.
Each person's voice is very different, so you need to find what works for you. Make sure you keep to your routine.
I've had several unavoidable problems because of my athletic career.
I go to the gym rather early with a workout pal. I get there at 7, or a little before, and do weights and a little cardio for an hour, five days a week.
I had stage fright for years and years, and I could hear it in my singing. But since I've done it so often for so many years, you'd think that I'd relax a little bit, and I think that I have.
