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. – Aretha Franklin
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. – Aretha Franklin
Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it. – Aretha Franklin
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. – Aretha Franklin
I saw the Supremes when they were still singing in little black skirts and white blouses. – Aretha Franklin
We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right. – Aretha Franklin
I don’t feel one’s personal medical condition is everybody’s business. It just isn’t something you advertise, and it’s not open to discussion. – Aretha Franklin
It’s easy for a singer to sometimes pick up on another singer’s sound, but that’s just copying. – Aretha Franklin
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. – Aretha Franklin
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. – Aretha Franklin
Well, Babyface brings his savoir faire to every project. He’s a very easy producer to work with, very detailed in listening to everything. – Aretha Franklin
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. – Aretha Franklin
Now, occasionally I will still have that quarter pounder because I love fast food, but you have to keep it to a minimum. – Aretha Franklin
When I first started, I wore Ceil Chapman gowns. I’ve been wondering for years what happened to the Ceil Chapman line of clothing. – Aretha Franklin
As a very small girl, I listened to Charlie Parker and loved him and Max Roach and people like that. – Aretha Franklin
I just got into Mike Tyson. My security people kept saying, ‘Haven’t you seen him yet?’ Well, I finally did, and he’s got a real knockout punch. – Aretha Franklin
Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-olds would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms. – Aretha Franklin
I know people I feel are extremely talented, but I don’t know that I’ve ever heard any geniuses. – Aretha Franklin
I’ve been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well. – Aretha Franklin
Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening. – Aretha Franklin
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. – Aretha Franklin