Aretha Franklin

You could call my piano my trademark, or one of my trademarks.

I didn't really want to sing at first, but my dad insisted that I do.

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'm really an old-fashioned girl - I like to be romanced.

Most of what I wear, I select myself. You can't please everybody, and as long as I'm comfortable with what I wear, I think that's what's important.

I sing, and the musicians kind of fit things around me.

Beyonce is a very hard-working woman. Astrologically, for whatever it's worth, she's a Virgo - like Michael Jackson, a hard worker.

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.

There is no way in the world anyone else could do my wedding other than myself, along with whomever I select to do various things.

Many of my friends were there at Motown. The studio was only a few blocks from where my dad's home was, where we lived.

I certainly enjoy Usher, Beyonce, Chris Brown, and there is Fantasia; these people will be around a while. They've got it. They've got the 'it' factor.

As long as it's good music. I love all music. It's got to be constructed properly.

Men have always been gentlemen to me - responsible people with healthy attitudes.

Who hasn't had a weight issue? If not the body, certainly the big head!

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

I really don't have any shelf music.

I still have perfect diction!

The love of my life? I'm much too young to answer that question.

I had not been in the jazz environment, having been brought up in the church. But once I got to New York, and I was signed to perform at The Village Gate and the Vanguard and clubs like that, and these - the Vanguard was one of the most elite, if not the most elite, jazz club out there.

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