Aretha Franklin is and will always be a national treasure. — Michael McDonald Always Copy Share Image
When I get in a bad mood about anything, I realize, 'Hey, I'm still working. It could always be a lot worse.' — Michael McDonald Always Copy Share Image
Most times, lyrics are the last thing I listen to, being a musician. — Michael McDonald Being Copy Share Image
Being in the studio, for me, can be a miserable experience - I can really psych myself out. — Michael McDonald Being Copy Share Image
I've always felt like the Forrest Gump of the music business. I've been fortunate to work with a lot of great people. — Michael McDonald Business Copy Share Image
Whether artists know it or not, I think we're all a little influenced by what came before. — Michael McDonald Art Copy Share Image
Most of my life is taken up with family. It takes me awhile to get a record together that I feel is… — Michael McDonald Family Copy Share Image
I think it takes longer for me to make a record than most artists. — Michael McDonald Art Copy Share Image
I love Hank Williams songs, but I love hearing Ray Charles sing them much more. — Michael McDonald Country Copy Share Image
Aretha Franklin holds a significant place in the collective heart of America. She's a singular example of what we represent at our… — Michael McDonald America Copy Share Image
Each generation tries to disassociate itself with the last generation. And then, about three decades later, people kind of start to maybe… — Michael McDonald Done Copy Share Image
I grew up in the era where everybody wanted to sing like Mitch Ryder and James Brown. And I did, too. But… — Michael McDonald Era Copy Share Image
What I particularly liked about Nineties hip hop was it had a certain reverence for the groove that I hadn't been hearing… — Michael McDonald About Copy Share Image
'Livin' on the Fault Line' was kind of a commercial disappointment for us, although it seemed to have a certain buzz with… — Michael McDonald Disappointment Copy Share Image
Looking back, I sometimes wish I had done things differently. But if I had, I'm not sure that I wouldn't have proven… — Michael McDonald Differently Copy Share Image
In the '70s, there was no shortage of people taking themselves too seriously, as 'artistes,' if you will. I think we all… — Michael McDonald Art Copy Share Image
I tell my son, when your music becomes less relevant, your pathetic comic value might be of some use. So you've got… — Michael McDonald Becomes Copy Share Image
I love writing Christmas music. It's some of the easiest songs to write... You draw from your own memories - it's kind… — Michael McDonald Christmas Copy Share Image
There were certain Ray Charles albums and a couple of early Marvin Gaye records that I used to listen to with a… — Michael McDonald Beatles Copy Share Image
Rap is like any other genre: There are the people who are very creative with it and do remarkable things... and then… — Michael McDonald Genre Copy Share Image
I was attracted to black music for the same reason that I loved those old Irish ballads. Both were social statements of… — Michael McDonald Black music Copy Share Image
My first rock band was called Mike and the Majestics. I was about twelve, and my older sister Kathy was the manager.… — Michael McDonald Band Copy Share Image
Where I grew up in St. Louis, Saturday was country music day on television. We'd watch the Bill Anderson show, the Willie… — Michael McDonald Country Copy Share Image
When I first heard Thundercat's stuff, I thought, 'Man, this is so original.' A lot of his ballads, to me, had such… — Michael McDonald Anything Copy Share Image
I love to write songs, but they don't come easy to me - I spend a lot of time writing really dumb… — Michael McDonald God Copy Share Image
I truly cherish the time and experience with friends that I have been making music with for so many years, even decades… — Michael McDonald Cherish Copy Share Image
I'm a very slow songwriter; it takes me sometimes years to write one song, if I ever finish. — Michael McDonald Finish Copy Share Image
In order for life to be more than a frustrating game of one-upsmanship, one has to remain emotionally open and vulnerable. — Michael McDonald Emotionally Copy Share Image
I like to celebrate the holiday season - not so much in a religious way, per se, but in a unifying way. — Michael McDonald Celebrate Copy Share Image
When I listen to songs, to this day, I listen to the chords and the groove and the melody. — Michael McDonald Day Copy Share Image
Probably some of the most miserable years of my life were grappling with some definition of what success was. — Michael McDonald Life Copy Share Image
Hey, I'd love to have a hit single, but if that doesn't happen, I'm not going to complain. — Michael McDonald Complain Copy Share Image
I'd like to do something with Frank Ocean, you know, and I love working with Thundercat, and I'd love to do more… — Michael McDonald Frank ocean Copy Share Image
I've never felt that I was doing anything more worthwhile musically than when I was with Steely Dan. — Michael McDonald Anything Copy Share Image
