I find that the older I get, the more I see that there really aren’t huge zeniths of happiness or a huge abyss of darkness as much as there used to be. – Paula Cole
I wanted to be a cheerleader, like my sister was – all the most popular and beautiful girls are cheerleaders and I wanted that, and it demolished this vision of myself. That’s when I found the piano, when music saved me; that’s when I first attempted to write my own songs. – Paula Cole
The older I get, the more I see that there really aren’t huge zeniths of happiness or a huge abyss of darkness as much as there used to be. I tend to walk a middle ground. – Paula Cole
I’m glad I made a piece of art that can be interpreted so widely. Art is always interpreted subjectively. – Paula Cole
People have become less discriminating listeners, which is tragic, really. There’s a lot of emperor’s new clothes out there, whether they’re female or male solo acts. That bothers me. It’s hard to break through, and it’s like climbing Mount Everest if you actually do. – Paula Cole
Walking is magic. Can’t recommend it highly enough. I read that Plato and Aristotle did much of their brilliant thinking together while ambulating. The movement, the meditation, the health of the blood pumping, and the rhythm of footsteps… this is a primal way to connect with one’s deeper self. – Paula Cole
I’ve left Bethlehem, and I feel free. I’ve left the girl I was supposed to be, and some day I’ll be born. – Paula Cole
For me music is a vehicle to bring our pain to the surface, getting it back to that humble and tender spot where, with luck, it can lose its anger and become compassion again. – Paula Cole
I struggled with being in the public eye, losing my anonymity when my star rose quickly in the late 90’s. But I need the challenge of showing up and getting up there to spill my guts and connect with my loyal folks. – Paula Cole
I was curious and hungry at a young age, and jazz was such a mystery to me, an ocean where you can express yourself in the moment. It represented freedom, it represented wearing wings and going somewhere with music. – Paula Cole
I’m used to adversity and working really well in difficult situations. It was hard for me to accept the success. – Paula Cole
But at the age of 44, I sure hope to be a better businesswoman. I want to get the music straight to my fans. – Paula Cole
I think of my shows as family reunions. I give 100% every time. I just do. It’s a huge therapeutic release. Also I love my touring family. And I love my audiences very much. – Paula Cole
Being a writer is a very private, internal process. Ultimately I am more the writer, being an introvert. – Paula Cole
If not for music, I would probably be a very frustrated scientist. It’s one way to answer the question, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ I feel music answers it better. – Paula Cole
Didgeridoo was something I picked up while I was on tour in Australia with Peter Gabriel in ’93. I found out later that it’s only meant to be played by men. – Paula Cole
The flower has opened, has been in the sun and is unafraid. I’m taking more chances; I’m bold and proud. – Paula Cole
But looking back, the fact was that I had a couple of big hits too quickly and it was simply too much for an introvert like me to handle. – Paula Cole
