Aretha Franklin

I've probably cried with a lot of songs - in teenage crushes, adult crushes. ”

I don't think I was a catalyst for the women's movement. ”

Women absolutely deserve respect. ”

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

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

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. ”

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

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

I think you have a lot of really good artists today. You have your Beyonce, Usher, Nicki Minaj and the like. But our generation, the artists were stronger. You're talking about myself, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, The Four Tops. ”

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