Top 70 Aretha Franklin Quotes

Yeah, I want a job in Barack‘s Cabinet. How about a job, Mr. Obama? Please? Please?

Intermittently in my concert format, I sing a little jazz, a little scatting.

I picked up some wonderful things just listening to other pianists that I appreciate, and that would be Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Vladimir Horowitz, and Art Tatum. Those are the pianists I really enjoy and admire.

I think women and children and older people are the three least-respected groups in our society.

I saw the Supremes when they were still singing in little black skirts and white blouses.

I think it would be a far greater world if people were kinder and more respectful to each other.

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.

I’ve done the Kennedy Center many times. I’ve sang for Marian Anderson. I’ve sang for Marion Williams. I’ve sang for Lionel Hampton.

Prince is gone. But the music will go on.

I’m really an old-fashioned girl – I like to be romanced.

I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is.

Most of what I wear, I select myself. You can’t please everybody, and as long as I’m comfortable with what I wear, I think that’s what’s important.

Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.

I don’t do crazy things – I just don’t.

‘Rocking With Leroy’ used to come on when I would come in from school. It was a very, very big R&B broadcast of the day when I was a young girl. And I would come in and put my books down, lie down on the floor, and listen to ‘Rocking With Leroy.’

I guess I could‘ve been a prima ballerina. Or a nurse. Aretha Nightingale!

We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.

I’m never tired of going to the studio. I enjoy recording and documenting everything and trying new things.

I’m not ever going to retire. That’s – that wouldn’t be good, for one, just to go somewhere and sit down and do nothing. Please. No, that’s not moi.

We didn’t have music videos. You weren’t an overnight sensation. You had to work at it and learn your craft: how to take care of your voice, how to pace your concerts, all that trial and error.

We’ve come a long way, but there is still a lot of discrimination.

Falling out of love is like losing weight. It’s a lot easier putting it on than taking it off.

Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.

I’ve probably cried with a lot of songs – in teenage crushes, adult crushes.

Ariana Grande – I like her a lot.

When God loves you, what can be better than that?

Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-olds would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms.

I’m the lady next door when I’m not on stage.

And I was booked once to go on ‘Ed Sullivan’ and I got bumped and ran out the back door crying.

Don’t say Aretha is making a comeback, because I’ve never been away!

I remember singing around the house to records that were playing. All kinds of music. And the great James Cleveland was often in our house, and I grew up with his sound as well.

As a very small girl, I listened to Charlie Parker and loved him and Max Roach and people like that.

I think the hardest thing is losing weight. That’s the hardest thing more than anything else.

My mentor was Clara Ward of the famous Ward gospel singers of Philadelphia. And my dad was my coach. He coached me. And just my natural love for music is what drove me.

When I first started, I wore Ceil Chapman gowns. I’ve been wondering for years what happened to the Ceil Chapman line of clothing.

Parents have to really talk to their children before they leave home.

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.

Beyonce is very outspoken on feminist issues. So I think that’s good. That could be brought to the forefront more.

I still have perfect diction!

I like being married. It’s an institution that I like.

The duet with Frank Sinatra, ‘What Now My Love,’ is one of my favorites.

Beyonce is a very hard-working woman. Astrologically, for whatever it’s worth, she’s a Virgo – like Michael Jackson, a hard worker.

Politics are not my arena. Music is.

If a song’s about something I’ve experienced or that could’ve happened to me it’s good. But if it’s alien to me, I couldn’t lend anything to it. Because that’s what soul is all about.

The term ‘Sock it to me!’ was a big, big thing in our neighborhood – all the kids were saying it.

I just loved working with George Benson, whom I very much enjoy musically and as a person.

He was definitely an original and a one-of-a-kind. Truly there was only one Prince.

I used to have hamburgers coming and going, especially when I was on the road. Now, occasionally I will still have that quarter pounder because I love fast food, but you have to keep it to a minimum. I am now opting for salads and just healthier lunches.

Christmases past, my sister Carolyn and I – we’d been waiting for Santa all night. Nothing! Where is this man?

People really don’t have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you.

Men have always been gentlemen to me – responsible people with healthy attitudes.

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.

There’s a lot of great singers out here.

My generation, we came along, we had to really know our craft.

You have singers that are trained, and then you have natural singers: people that, in my opinion, were just born to sing. And hopefully, I am one of them.

I know people I feel are extremely talented, but I don’t know that I’ve ever heard any geniuses.

I like ‘Bootylicious,’ ‘Survivor‘ – my little granddaughter loves ‘Survivor.’

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.

Let’s start with the church. As you know, it’s my background, it’s a natural setting for me and it’s definitely my roots.

As long as it’s good music. I love all music. It’s got to be constructed properly.

Sometimes, what you’re looking for is already there.

Women absolutely deserve respect.

I had not been in the jazz environment, having been brought up in the church. But once I got to New York, and I was signed to perform at The Village Gate and the Vanguard and clubs like that, and these – the Vanguard was one of the most elite, if not the most elite, jazz club out there.

I was in my dad’s church, his Baptist church, and I think the first song I ever performed was ‘Jesus Be a Fence Around Me.’

Many of my friends were there at Motown. The studio was only a few blocks from where my dad’s home was, where we lived.

Well, Babyface brings his savoir faire to every project. He’s a very easy producer to work with, very detailed in listening to everything.

I’ve met my share of guys who have insulted and assaulted my intelligence with their stories and games. I say hello and goodbye!

It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person. It means I’ve done my job.

Art Tatum was a genius.

I wouldn’t be without Google, and I love Facebook.