Quotes By Kate Smith

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.

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

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

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

I have never known stage-fright at any time.

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.

I learn my songs by ear.

I just can't read music.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

This nation loves singing and loves acting.

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

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

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.

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