Merry Clayton Quotes

Powerful Merry Clayton for Daily Growth

About Merry Clayton

Merry Clayton, a prolific American singer-songwriter and background vocalist, was born on December 16, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her career spans over five decades, marked by her powerful voice, versatility, and influential contributions to music. Clayton's musical journey began at an early age when she joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church Choir. This early exposure to gospel music laid a strong foundation for her future career. At 18, she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a backing vocalist for various artists, including The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley. In 1969, Clayton's life took an unexpected turn when she was invited by Leon Russell to record "A Song for You" for his album Self Portrait. This song became her breakthrough hit, reaching the top 20 on the R&B charts and launching her solo career. Clayton gained further recognition in 1970 when she provided the powerful vocals for The Rolling Stones' hit "Gimme Shelter." This duet with Mick Jagger is considered one of rock music's most iconic performances. Throughout her career, Clayton has worked with a wide range of artists, including Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson. In 1986, she collaborated with Barbra Streisand on the song "The Windmills of Your Mind," which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Despite her success, Clayton remains humble and dedicated to her craft. Her unique voice and impactful performances continue to resonate, making her an enduring figure in the music industry. Today, she continues to perform and record, with her most recent album, Beautiful Scars, released in 2018.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm a lady, I don't swell up and turn blue!" - Merry Clayton (from her performance on "Tumbling Tumbleweeds")

This quote highlights the strength, grace, and resilience of Merry Clayton as an artist. By stating that she doesn't "swell up and turn blue," she metaphorically emphasizes that despite challenges or intense emotional situations (symbolized by swelling or turning blue), she maintains her composure, dignity, and femininity - characteristics often associated with being a lady. It suggests that Merry Clayton was able to express deep emotions authentically without losing her identity or becoming overwhelmed by them, demonstrating her exceptional talent during her performance on "Tumbling Tumbleweeds".

"Sometimes I wonder if God ever wastes a minute just thinking about me." - Merry Clayton (from her song "I Forgive You")

This quote, from the song "I Forgive You" by Merry Clayton, reflects a deep sense of personal worth and divine compassion. It implies that despite the immensity of God's existence and the vastness of His creation, there is a moment, even if fleeting, where He pauses to consider an individual – the speaker in this case. This suggests a divine intimacy, empathy, and profound appreciation for each person, emphasizing their value and worth within the grand scheme of the universe.

"If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife." - Merry Clayton (from her song "Old Man River")

This quote by Merry Clayton seems to suggest that the pursuit of happiness in a long-term relationship might require something beyond physical attractiveness or superficial beauty. Instead, it may imply that deeper qualities such as mutual understanding, shared values, and emotional connection are more crucial for maintaining long-lasting happiness. It is essential to remember that people evolve over time, and their appearance can change, while the qualities of character and spirit remain constant. This quote encourages us to seek those qualities when choosing a partner, rather than solely relying on physical beauty.

"You can't hurt me, I'm covered with the blood of the Lamb!" - Merry Clayton (from her performance on "I Need You")

This quote is a powerful expression of faith and resilience. The "blood of the Lamb" in Christian symbolism represents the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which, according to belief, cleanses sinners from their sins and provides eternal life. Here, Merry Clayton is asserting that because she has accepted this spiritual protection through faith, she is immune to harm or hurt from worldly trials. This quote suggests a deep sense of peace, security, and trust in the saving power of God's love.

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." - Merry Clayton (often quoted from the Bible)

This quote, often attributed to the Bible, signifies a struggle between one's desires (the spirit, representing mental or emotional strength) and physical limitations or temptations (the flesh). It suggests that despite our willingness to act according to our convictions, we may find ourselves unable due to human frailty. The quote underscores the complexities of the human condition, where the mind aspires for great things, but the body or circumstances may present challenges that hinder us from fully realizing those aspirations.

I knew how to sing in choirs and sing in church, but I didn't know how to sing in a studio. That's what Darlene and the Blossoms taught me to do - to be a studio singer.

- Merry Clayton

Singer, Knew, Studio, Blossoms

I started with Bobby Darin. He signed me to Capitol when I was 15. I was 14, getting ready to be 15. Then the next encounter I had was with I think Peggy Lee. I sang background with The Blossoms with Darlene Love.

- Merry Clayton

Love, Next, I Think, Blossoms

I always say that I went to the College of Blossoms and the University of Ray Charles.

- Merry Clayton

College, University, Always, Blossoms

I have always said every good thing is divinely sent from heaven.

- Merry Clayton

Said, Always, Good Thing, Divinely

My dad sung and played piano. But he was also a man of God. He was a minister. So when Sam Cooke would come in town, you know, with The Soul Stirrers at that time, he was singing gospel, they would end up at my dad's church, and it would always be a guest singer for Sunday morning.

- Merry Clayton

Singer, Sunday Morning, Dad, None

Oh boy, I grew up hearing Sam Cooke, The Soul Stirrers, Mahalia Jackson, sitting on Mahalia Jackson's lap in my dad's church.

- Merry Clayton

Soul, Church, Dad, None

My family is part Creole, and we're Indian, and we're also very, very black. My father was so black, he was blue.

- Merry Clayton

Father, Part, Very, Indian

I was very proud to be Mrs. Curtis Amy. My thing in life when I married Curtis Amy was being Mrs. Curtis Amy. Career was fine, but I was enthralled with being Curtis' wife. That was very important to me back then, and that's always important to a young lady from New Orleans. That's our upbringing: to be a wonderful wife and mother first.

- Merry Clayton

Career, Young, Very, Orleans

I got put out of my church choir because my pastor said, 'We can't have baby sister singing the blues and coming in here and singing on Sunday morning.'

- Merry Clayton

Church, Here, Sunday Morning, Pastor

I remember working with Ray Charles when I was quite young, and I would wonder, 'Why would he sing 'Georgia On My Mind' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You' every night?' I said, 'Oh my God if I have to sing these songs, if I have to sing 'I Can't Stop Loving You' one more night, I'm going to fall out.' Of course, I was young and I didn't understand.

- Merry Clayton

Young, I Remember, Charles, Every Night

I was signed to A&M, I was signed to Lou Adler, who had a company within a company, which was A&M Records, and everything - James Taylor, Rita Coolidge, Carole King - I worked on all of that stuff.

- Merry Clayton

Within, Which, Taylor, Rita

I was able to endure and play a special part in music history. And I always managed to keep working, even if I wasn't a big solo artist.

- Merry Clayton

Play, Big, Always, Solo

Back when I was working with the Stones and with Joe Cocker and Neil Young and Neil Diamond and all of those - 'the boys,' I call them - it was fun.

- Merry Clayton

Young, Back, Joe, Stones

You get royalties from certain songs that you do when you do background. It's according to the work that you put in.

- Merry Clayton

Work, Songs, Background, Royalties

My mother was a lupus patient. I was a child with the lupus gene.

- Merry Clayton

Mother, Child, Patient, Gene

Carole King is one of my dearest friends. We're like family.

- Merry Clayton

Family, King, Like, Dearest

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