Top 40 Ethel Merman Quotes

I preferred delivering my performance in person. I liked to be in control. You couldn’t be in films.

I’ll admit – I was honored to be on the cover of Time.

I wouldn’t change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes.

I was born in my parents’ bedroom on January 16. The World Almanac says it was 1909. I say it was 1912. But what difference does it make as long as I feel 33?

When you are in deep conflict about something, sometimes the most trivial thing can tip the scales.

Eisenhower was my war hero and the President I admire and respect most.

Mom and Pop were proud of my popularity, but from their point of view, show business was no way to make a living.

I am known to be able to take care of myself when I become angry. I don’t mince words.

Always give them the old fire, even when you feel like a squashed cake of ice.

If I feel in need of sleep, I just open a book or turn on the television. Both are better than any sleeping pill.

My father taught me to read music and play the piano-but not well, even though people have said that I’m a natural musician.

I’ve never cooked. I can’t do much more in the kitchen than make a cup of tea and some toast.

I wouldn’t trust any man as far as you can throw a piano.

Everything’s coming up roses – for me.

In my case, things have pretty much been handed to me.

There’s such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn’t appropriate another’s inventions.

Who’s happy these days?

Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I’ve been very good to broadway.

Music, in the past few years… anything singable or understandable is square.

Mom claimed that I could carry a tune at 2 or 3 years of age. Maybe she was a little prejudiced.

You gotta have a gimmick.

I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank.

I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old.

At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first.

The slapdash way producers used to assemble a show seems a little unbelievable when we talk about them now.

Any audience that gets a laugh out of me gets it while I’m facing them.

Legend has it that when God created me, he gave me a big distinctive voice, a lot of boldness and no heart.

I don’t like to read. The only things I read are gossip columns. If someone gives me a book, it had better have lots of pictures.

I work as often as I want and yet I’m free as a bird.

My career at Warner Brothers consisted of one musical short subject. I was running around in a bear skin. Very chic.

When I’m asked how to succeed in show business, I always say I haven’t the foggiest.

I’ve never suffered stage fright. That fascinates people.

Christmas carols always brought tears to my eyes. I also cry at weddings. I should have cried at a couple of my own.

My beloved Mom and Pop always rated tops with each other, and that’s the way it will always be.

Once I had all the attention, all I had to do was deliver.

I attend surprisingly few shows. The type of theater that is popular today just doesn’t appeal to me.

I was lucky enough to have the songs in my first show written by George and Ira Gershwin. Then Cole Porter wrote five shows for me.

I’ll pat myself on the back and admit I have talent. Beyond that, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

As far as dramas are concerned, it’s considered passe for playwrights to turn out anything the average person can understand.

At one time I smoked, but in 1959 I couldn’t think of anything else to give up for Lent so I stopped – and I haven’t had a cigarette since.