Quotes By Kate Smith

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

Because of my voice, speaking words which had been carefully chosen, women had used money they had set aside for other purposes to buy war bonds.

I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.

Middle-aged women have greater stability, they are more loyal, and their capacity for steady work is greater than that of younger women.

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

Since I have been singing for so many years, I don't always need to approach a song quite so laboriously and meticulously.

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

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

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

There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

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

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

As soon as I began to earn what might be called fairly large sums, I bought a car and began to explore the country around New York.

I have never known stage-fright at any time.

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 know I'm fat and I know my hair is straight, but I can sing.

I learn my songs by ear.

I just can't read music.

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

I could see myself in a white nurse's uniform, working unnoticed for many years and at last dying, unknown, unmarried and unsung.

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

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

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.

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

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

Intelligent analysis of the composer's intention and strict adherence to it automatically ensures sincerity.

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

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

Public and employer opinion often defeat society's best interests with a prejudice against middle-aged women.

It's up to the audience. It always has been.