23 quotes
Fairness in Talent Recognition and Opportunity
Effie White
Tell me something, Curtis. Do you think it's right to promote an amateur performer over a professional?
Curtis Taylor Jr.
I'm not sure what this is about...
Effie White
It's about fairness, Curtis. It's about people paying their dues. Isn't that what you keep telling me? "Get in line, Effie. Wait your turn". So why am I sitting here without so much as a B-side on a 45, when an amateur like ] gets his own freaking album? I mean, can he even sing?
[[Martin Luther King Jr.]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Desires of a Hungry Performer
James "Thunder" Early
Jimmy want a rib, Jimmy want a steak, Jimmy want a piece of your chocolate cake!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggles of Beauty and Talent in Music
Effie White
So... Deena's going to sing the lead cause you like the way she looks? Am I ugly to you, Curtis?
Curtis Taylor Jr.
Baby, come on! You know how I feel about you, come on. Don't make it personal.
Effie White
Well, what am I supposed to do? Deena's beautiful, and she's always been beautiful... but I've got the voice, Curtis! I've got the voice! You can't put me in back; you just can't!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Lorrell's Heartfelt Reflection on Love and Loss
Lorrell Robinson
And Lorrell loves Jimmy Lorrell loves Jimmy Lorrell loves Jimmy, it's true But Lorrell and Jimmy are through
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Aging and Perceptions of Time
Magic White
Momma, why are you so slow?
Effie White
Because I'm old.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Effie White's Determination to Succeed
Effie White
That's right Curtis. You stopped me once, but you'll never stop me again. Cause this time, Effie White's gonna win!
[sings]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggling with the weight of sadness
James "Thunder" Early
I can't do it no more. I can't sing no more sad songs.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing Dreams and New Possibilities
The Dreams
Ev'ry man has his own special dream And that dream is just about to come true Life's not as bad as it may seem If you open your eyes towards in front of you.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Commentary on Racial Discrimination in Employment
Marty Madison
That place is so white they will not even hire us to wash dishes!
[Referring to a club in Florida where Curtis has booked the Dreamettes]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Resilience of Soul in Adversity
James "Thunder" Early
Hey, I got soul! You can't kill a man with soul!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Introducing the Dreamettes on Stage
M.C.
And now, the courageous, the curvaceous, Creamettes!
Deena Jones
It's the Dreamettes! The Dreamettes!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Choosing a Voice for Control
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Deena, you know why I chose you to sing lead? Because your voice... has no personality. No depth. Except for what I put in there.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Support and Performance Expectations
Marty Madison
Effie, it is time for you to perform. For the past four months I have been your food, your rent, your support network.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unwavering Commitment and Devotion
Effie White
And I am telling you I'm not going You're the best man I'll ever know There's no way I could ever go no, no, there's no way No, no, no, no way I'm living without you I'm stayin', I'm stayin And you, and you...you're gonna love me.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unfulfilled Promises of Love
C.C. White
Effie, Curtis was supposed to...
Effie White
Love me. Curtis was supposed to love me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Power of Dreams
Taglines
All you have to do is dream.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Racial Disparities in Music Airplay History
Curtis Taylor Jr.
Who was the first artist to sing "Hound Dog"?
C.C. White
].
[[Elvis Presley]
Curtis Taylor Jr.
Big Mama Thorton. She had the number-one single on the R&B charts, but the white stations wouldn't play it, because to them it was just another race record.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Timeless Nature of Dreams
Taglines
Fame comes and goes, starts rise and fall, but dreams live forever.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Purpose of Music Debate
C.C. White
Isn't music supposed to express what people are feeling?
Curtis Taylor Jr.
Music is supposed to sell.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Promise of Dreamgirls' Support
The Dreams
We're your Dreamgirls, boy, we'll make you happy... Yeah! We're your Dreamgirls, boy, we'll always care We're your Dreamgirls, Dreamgirls will never leave you... No, no! And all you got to do is dream Baby, we'll be there.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Betrayal Among Friends in the Music Industry
C.C. White
Lay off, Effie. Just take the money and run.
Effie White
You in this with them, C.C.?
C.C. White
Cool it, Effie. This time you know what you've done.
Effie White
So they bought your black ass too, huh?
C.C. White
I said, cool it, Effie. This time you've gone too far.
Effie White
Oh, I can go further! I can go further!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
One Dream Can Transform Everything
Taglines
One dream will change everything.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Betting Against the Dreamettes' Victory
Curtis Taylor, Jr.
$500 says the Dreamettes do not win.
Contest judge
Thanks a lot man, because they were going to lose anyway!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.