Women absolutely deserve respect.
Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-olds would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms.
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 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.
For many years, I've wanted to do one, and I've always mentioned it to the chieftains, and they would say things like, 'Oh well. Christmas albums don't sell,' and things like that. But that's not the point. Christmas albums are important. The music is important. The season is important.
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.
Christmases past, my sister Carolyn and I - we'd been waiting for Santa all night. Nothing! Where is this man?
My American audiences are pretty mixed. I get all sorts of people, old and young. It's nice.
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.
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 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.
Politics are not my arena. Music is.
Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!
I guess I could've been a prima ballerina. Or a nurse. Aretha Nightingale!
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 can say that my big records and my success have been due to the backing which Atlantic have put behind me.
My upbringing was in the church. We had to attend regularly. And, of course, the church provided a training ground for me, so to speak, as a young vocalist and certainly gave me all of the spiritual values that I needed as a young lady.
Men have always been gentlemen to me - responsible people with healthy attitudes.
And I was booked once to go on 'Ed Sullivan' and I got bumped and ran out the back door crying.
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.'
