‘Everyone on my new album is better than I am!’: 10 Questions for Rita Coolidge

APART from solo hits including We’re All Alone and the theme from the Bond film Octopussy, Rita Coolidge has sung with Crosby, Stills and Nash, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.

She wrote part of Eric Clapton’s song Layla. Married to Kris Kristofferson for seven years, she won two Grammy awards. Her new album, Safe In The Arms Of Time, is out on Friday.

How important is music to you now?

Very, but I need space away from it at home, mopping the floor or washing my dirty laundry. There’s a time for a public role, and a time for peace and quiet. That keeps me grounded.

Are you a confident singer?

Listen, everyone on my new album is better than I am. I’ve got Michael Jackson’s backing singer on there. What’s he thinking going from Michael to me? (laughs)

So how come you’ve had all these hits for so long?

A girlfriend once said that she could sing rings around me but she couldn’t do what I do. It’s more than the voice. I blame Sammy Davis Jr.

Why is Sammy Davis responsible?

I had dinner with him years ago and he said: “So what if you’re a singer? Stop making records. I don’t make records. Learn to entertain for a while.” It was a wake-up call.

How do you sum up the new album?

The best I’ve done. I spent two years gathering songs, and then my sister died in the middle of it. I took time off to look after my family, then I started again. So it’s very personal.

And the overriding theme?

Love! I’m 72 and I never thought I’d fall in love with my childhood sweetheart again at this age. Older people shouldn’t give up on love. We can find it at any time.

Are you a generous person?

Well I’ve given away my clothes in the past month (laughs.) I’m moving from California to Florida so I need the space. Seriously, I have a loving heart for both family and strangers alike. It comes from my Dad.

He was a Baptist preacher. Are you religious?

My belief in the Creator hasn’t changed but I do have problems with fundamentalists who hijack the Bible for their own ends. Even the Ku Klux Klan say God’s on their side.

How would you describe where you are in life?

I’m older and I’ve lived a lot of life which now informs my music. I know when to leave the public role for private, and I’m in love. That’s it.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

I’d call my family, friends and band together. I’d make a pot of gumbo (stew) and lay on champagne, then we’d sing and play music all day long. After death I have no doubt we are all going home.