59 Quotes by Anita Baker
"I have as many pictures of my vocal cords as I do of my children. I have a great ear, nose and throat doctor, and we look at them - if there's some redness, maybe I'll take a little time off."
"I love radio, but it's a very limited thing today. Everything has to be edited down to 3:59, and too bad if I didn't make my statement in three minutes and 59 seconds. Everybody's song has to make its point so quickly."
"My kids' eyes always light up -- 'Why are these people screaming over my mother?' ... People around Detroit have made me cry, just walking up to me in the supermarket to say, 'It's good to have you back.' It's been beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful."
"I can't go anywhere until I finish this Christmas album, ... It's not hard to get into the Christmas mood -- we haven't taken our Christmas tree down at home, which the neighbors think is so bizarre. And it is. But this is a jazz Christmas album, so I don't have to be too traditional or mind too many rules. That's what's pulling me along."
"Long tresses down to the floor can be beautiful, but learn to love what you have."
"At home I'm relaxed. I may be in the yard talking to neighbors, or riding my bike, or fishing, making up the bed-and things just come to me. I'll hum a melody, and if it feels real good, I'll play it on the piano and put it on tape, and then develop it later. The music speaks words to me."
"It's been a whirlwind. Everybody's been so supportive, especially here in the home base -- radio, press, fans, everybody. The feedback has just been tremendous. I use this phrase over and over, but it's been like a family reunion for me."
"If you understand a person's origins, you can understand her. I've always had to take care of myself. I couldn't just be that sweet little girl who kept her mouth shut. Had I done that, I'd be long gone by now. In this business, an African-American woman has to protect herself because precious few will."