"Applause felt like approval, and it became a drug that soothed the pain, but only temporarily." - Anita Baker
"At home I'm 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. I'll hum a melody, and if it feels real good, I'll play it on the piano and put it on tape, and then develop it later. The music speaks words to me." - Anita Baker
"Completeness? Happiness? These words don't 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." - Anita Baker
"I don't let people use me. That's 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." - Anita Baker
"I would say that my peak was making my first million at the ripe age of 29, after the first album." - Anita Baker
"I'm picking and choosing in terms of the stress factor. If it's not fun, I'm not going to do it." - Anita Baker
"If you understand a person's origins, you can understand her. I've always had to take care of myself. I couldn't just be that sweet little girl who kept her mouth shut. Had I done that, I'd be long gone by now. In this business, an African-American woman has to protect herself because precious few will." - Anita Baker
"We don't 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." - Anita Baker
