"We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right."
About Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin — Life and Legacy
Aretha Franklin, known as the 'Queen of Soul', made an indelible mark on music and culture with her powerful voice and emotive performances. Her song 'Respect' not only became a defining anthem for the civil rights movement but also exemplified her belief in self-worth and dignity. Franklin's quotes often reflect her deep understanding of love and resilience, as seen in her assertion that 'Music is my sanctuary', which reveals her reliance on music as a source of strength and solace. Franklin's worldview was shaped by her experiences as a Black woman in America, and her lyrics frequently challenged societal norms, advocating for equality and empowerment. In stating, 'I am not a woman who is afraid to speak her mind', she encouraged others to embrace their voices and assert their rights. Her legacy is not just in her music but in the way she inspired countless individuals to stand up for themselves and their communities. Today, Aretha Franklin's quotes continue to resonate, reminding us of the power of authenticity and the importance of love and respect in our lives. Her ability to convey complex emotions through her art has left a lasting impact, making her words as relevant now as they were during her lifetime.
Quote collection
Aretha Franklin quotes (page 1 of 3)
57 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Be your own artist, and always be confident in what youre doing. If youre not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it."
"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."
"Soul is a constant. It's cultural. It's always going to be there, in different flavors and degrees."
"I'm a big woman. I need big hair."
"I sing to the realists, people who accept it like it is. I express problems. There are tears when it's sad and smiles when it's happy. It seems simple to me, but for some people, I guess feelin' takes courage."
"If you disrespect everybody that you run into, how in the world do you think everybody's supposed to respect you?"
"People really don't have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you. And just don't let that go to your head, whatever it is they give you."
"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."
"Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!"
"Falling out of love is like losing weight. It's a lot easier putting it on than taking it off."
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me."
"My faith always has been and always will be important to me."
"Better friends than lovers. Sugar can't you see? You need you and I really need me."
"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."
"As a parent you try to maintain a certain amount of control and so you have this tug-of-war ... You have to learn when to let go. And that's not easy."
"Music changes, and I'm gonna change right along with it."
"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."
"When God loves you, what can be better than that?"
"Women have broken through the glass ceiling, and they're now more and more in the power seats."