In nearly all ballads, the words set the mood and meaning, while the music intensifies or enhances them.
I could see myself in a white nurse's uniform, working unnoticed for many years and at last dying, unknown, unmarried and unsung.
I know I'm fat and I know my hair is straight, but I can sing.
Because of my voice, speaking words which had been carefully chosen, women had used money they had set aside for other purposes to buy war bonds.
There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.
It became obvious in 1957 that I was endangering my health by carrying so much weight.
Ice cream was my undoing, and six chocolate milk shakes in a row were nothing to me at one time.
As soon as I began to earn what might be called fairly large sums, I bought a car and began to explore the country around New York.
Many people submit to excessive appetites without realizing that they do not need to eat so much food.
I am exceedingly lucky that my voice, along with perfect pitch and perfect rhythm, was given me at birth.
I vowed that whenever my family needed me, I would give up everything to go to them, no matter what. The show must go on was meaningless to me.
An entertainer should in his public performance keep himself out of any controversy, political or otherwise.
During the presidential primaries of 1940, I received a request from the Democratic National Committee to sing God Bless America before the speeches.
I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.
I have been extremely lucky with reviewers and critics throughout my career.
I just can't read music.
Most of the people who act and sing do so for their own pleasure and that of their friends and family.
This nation loves singing and loves acting.
Since I have been singing for so many years, I don't always need to approach a song quite so laboriously and meticulously.
Public and employer opinion often defeat society's best interests with a prejudice against middle-aged women.
