Quotes By Kate Smith

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

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

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

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

I have never known stage-fright at any time.

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 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 learn my songs by ear.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This nation loves singing and loves acting.

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

Many people submit to excessive appetites without realizing that they do not need to eat so much food.

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

During the presidential primaries of 1940, I received a request from the Democratic National Committee to sing God Bless America before the speeches.

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