Quotes from Kate Smith

I could not separate myself off stage from myself on stage, as so many actors can.

An entertainer should in his public performance keep himself out of any controversy, political or otherwise.

I have always examined closely the motives of any group for which I am asked to raise money.

Every small town has its dramatic group, its barber-shop quartet, every home has music in one form or another.

In nearly all ballads, the words set the mood and meaning, while the music intensifies or enhances them.

I am exceedingly lucky that my voice, along with perfect pitch and perfect rhythm, was given me at birth.

Most of the people who act and sing do so for their own pleasure and that of their friends and family.

It is important that the audience should understand every syllable of every word, for only then can they grasp the meaning of the song.

I am continually embarrassed by people who point me out as an example of what can be done without training.

I shall always respect the composer. If I embellish, it is his idea I am embellishing.

It became obvious in 1957 that I was endangering my health by carrying so much weight.

If rock-and-roll is well done, there's nothing so terribly wrong with that kind of music. But the lyrics are another story.

I vowed that whenever my family needed me, I would give up everything to go to them, no matter what. The show must go on was meaningless to me.

I have personally believed in every product I have ever advertised.

I was always daydreaming about singing in big productions on Broadway.

My singing is part of me, like my stoutness, or my light hair, or my poor eyesight.

And when all is said and done, there is no greater success in the world than just being happy.

Ice cream was my undoing, and six chocolate milk shakes in a row were nothing to me at one time.

I must work hard to make my singing above reproach; there must be no faults which hard work would take care of.

I sometimes get that wonderful sympathy between me and the audience, telling me I've reached their hearts. And when I do, the thrill is mine.

I have been extremely lucky with reviewers and critics throughout my career.

I have never known stage-fright at any time.

In 29 years, I had recorded over 2,200 songs. I was amazed.

I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.