Melissa Manchester

“When I sing, I'm telling a story. It's a story of my life or someone else's.”

“Don't cry out loud, just keep it inside, learn how to hide your feelings.”

“A song is a souvenir of an emotion.”

“The world is not a pleasant place to be without someone to hold and be held by.”

“If it's not in your heart, you can't play it.”

“I'm a survivor. But I'm also a romantic. I have to be; I'm a songwriter.”

“The most profound, tangible influence in my life has been my father.”

“Performing is the most extraordinary experience you can have. You have this unique connection with the audience.”

“You just have to be driven to become a songwriter. It's a craft. It's not something that you can just do.”

“My voice is my instrument. It's what I have.”

“You can't just wish for a hit. You have to go out and write it.”