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.
– Aretha Franklin
Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!
– Aretha Franklin
I always felt rock and roll was very, very wholesome music.
– Aretha Franklin
I might be just twenty-six, but I'm an old woman in disguise... twenty-six goin'on sixty-five.
– Aretha Franklin
I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is.
– Aretha Franklin
I think the hardest thing is losing weight. That's the hardest thing more than anything else.
– Aretha Franklin
I'm a big woman. I need big hair.
– Aretha Franklin
I'm gonna make a gospel record and tell Jesus I cannot bear these burdens alone.
– Aretha Franklin
I'm the lady next door when I'm not on stage.
– Aretha Franklin
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
My faith always has been and always will be important to me.
– Aretha Franklin
Trying to grow up is hurting, you know. You make mistakes. You try to learn from them, and when you don't, it hurts even more.