Quotes by Anita Baker

“Im picking and choosing in terms of the stress factor. If its not fun, Im not going to do it.”

“I say if its going to be done, lets do it. Lets not put it in the hands of fate. Lets not put it in the hands of someone who doesnt know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead.”

“You leave home to seek your fortune and, when you get it, you go home and share it with your family.”

“We dont do drugs, drink or use profanity. Instead we instill morals and values in my boys by raising them with a love of God and a love and respect for themselves and all people. I believe they will have a chance.”

“Long tresses down to the floor can be beautiful, if you have that, but learn to love what you have.”

“My mother only called when she wanted things. She doesnt know me, so how could she have a feeling for me? Still, I see her each time I pass a mirror. The resemblance shocks me. Someday Ill go back to make a new stab at a relationship, but not yet. Happily, her approval is no longer necessary. No ones is. Im no longer driven to prove Im worthy. That war is over, even if there are still days when I have to do battle.”

“If you understand a persons origins, you can understand her. Ive always had to take care of myself. I couldnt just be that sweet little girl who kept her mouth shut. Had I done that, Id be long gone by now. In this business, an African-American woman has to protect herself because precious few will.”

“I dont let people use me. Thats why I like a small number of people in my life. The more people in my life, the more complex it becomes, so I just try to keep it at a minimum.”

“Completeness? Happiness? These words dont come close to describing my emotions. There truly is nothing I can say to capture what motherhood means to me, particularly given my medical history.”

“At home Im 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. Ill hum a melody, and if it feels real good, Ill play it on the piano and put it on tape, and then develop it later. The music speaks words to me.”

I say if its going to be done, lets do it. Lets not put it in the hands of fate. Lets not put it in the hands of someone who doesnt know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead.

You leave home to seek your fortune and when you get it you go home and share it with your family.

Long tresses down to the floor can be beautiful if you have that but learn to love what you have.

I made numerous attempts to find a way to do it all, to be a creative singer, songwriter, producer, and to be the mother, daughter, sister, lover, wife. And the thing about music is, with me, that shes a harsh mistress. She does not come to me in the midst of stress.

Completeness? Happiness? These words dont come close to describing my emotions. There truly is nothing I can say to capture what motherhood means to me, particularly given my medical history.

You leave home to seek your fortune and, when you get it, you go home and share it with your family.

If I could be doing anything, Id be laying on the floor in my birthday suit eating junk food and watching something dumb on TV.