Dionne Warwick on Her New Song 'Merry Mission' and Why She Doesn't Give Advice to Younger Artists (Exclusive)

The R&B legend opens up to PEOPLE about working with her son on her new song and waiting on Elon Musk to get back to her

There isn't much that Dionne Warwick hasn't done. In her more than 62-year career, the legendary actress and singer has released more than 40 albums, accumulated five Grammys, raised millions of dollars for AIDS research with her hit "That's What Friends Are For" and — in recent years — has become the reigning Queen of X (formerly Twitter).

Her next project? Lending her voice to Build-A-Bear Workshop's new holiday movie Glisten and The Merry Mission (out Nov. 3). Not only is the R&B legend taking on the role of a wise elf named Sage Evergreen in the animated film, but she's also releasing a festive holiday ballad for the film — "Merry Mission" — which is written by Warwick's Grammy Award-winning son Damon Elliot.

Ahead of the film's release, the "Walk on By" musician spoke to PEOPLE about the meaning behind her new song, whether or not she's spoken to Elon Musk yet and why she doesn't give advice to younger artists.

How did you become a part of the Glisten and The Merry Mission movie?

Well, I was called and asked if I would read for it. They were satisfied with me as the person, the character of this film, and that's how I got involved.

Tell me about your character Sage Evergreen.

It appears that I'm very much a mother figure as the character. This is how I looked at it with information given to all the other little animals that are running around there, letting them know how important it is to be who you are and practice the good part of yourself.

Not only do you have a role in the animated film, but you have an original song called "Merry Mission” written by your son.

Yes. Well, he got involved with the organization doing the film first and suggested they give me a call to see if I'd be interested in being one of the characters. When you have a fairytale such as this, the object apparently is to bring some information, some joy, happiness to those who are watching the film and the meaning of being kind to each other and being there to do the job that you are supposed to be doing. It's just being a person — a real person.

That's a lovely sentiment. You've been collaborating with your son for a while now. What was your experience working with him on this song?

It was a bunch of fun. It really was. Once he told me what he was doing and what the film was about, I said, "Well, sure, I'd love to be a part of this." So it's been wonderful working with him, absolutely wonderful.

What's your favorite holiday tradition?

Family, can't put it any clearer than that.

You’ve become the Queen of Twitter, but with Elon Musk’s changes, are you still enjoying the platform?

I have yet to speak with Mr. Musk. I have sent a message that I'd like to talk to him, which really will let me know if I really want to stay. Because I don't know exactly what it is that he wants to do with the format. So until I find that out, I've kind of been a little dormant, my tweets.

What's your favorite Twitter account to follow?

I follow a lot of people. I love following the youngsters, and of course, those who are in the industry. I'll jump in on their platform and make a comment. I'm watching them as well. There's a variety of entities on that format specifically that I follow.

Is there a favorite tweet that you've put out that sticks with you?

I think everybody remembers the very first one that I did with Chance the Rapper. They said, "Oh, she knows who Chance the Rapper is?" Yeah, I know who Chance the Rapper is, and I thought I would just poke a little fun at him. If I had to think of one, that would probably be the first one of the celebrities that I poked a little fun with.

You’ve been in the industry a long time. Do you have any advice for younger artists?

No, I don't give advice at all. I don't see the point of giving advice. Nobody takes it anyway. But I will encourage. If I'm asked a question, I have no problem answering it. But not only artists, but people generally, they have questions that they have posed to me. I try to give them what I feel is the appropriate answer — that's sometimes not what they want to see or hear as an answer. But if you don't want to know, don't ask me.

Which younger artists or up and coming artists have you given your "encouragement" to?

I've really not been that active lately, so I don't know the last one that I interacted with.

Do you have any favorite up and coming artists?

No, I don't.

What keeps you feeling young?

Because I am young.

You are! Two of your albums are celebrating their 60th anniversaries next year, a third is celebrating its 30th. Do you plan on commemorating the anniversaries of those albums?

Oh, absolutely. Well, it's basically to commemorate 62 years. That's exactly how long I've been in the industry. It's to bring words of inspiration and joy and happiness, again, back to music. And that's why I'm doing this particular CD [Songs of Inspiration], and hopefully everybody will understand the true meaning of inspirational songs.

You’re releasing your new gospel album — Songs of Inspiration — in 2024. What are you most looking forward to with that record?

It's time. It really is. We need to get back to loving each other again. I don't know what's going on in our world right now, so much hatred, obstinance and ugliness. People are basically doing things that they feel they're entitled to do without any retribution whatsoever. I just feel now, we need to get back to our Bible. We need to get back to the words that are meaningful, words of encouragement, happiness. We're missing so much that we all should be looking forward to.

Are there any songs that you don't enjoy performing but feel obligated to for fans at this point?

It'd be foolish for me to say yes, wouldn't it? Every song I sing has a meaning and will always have a meaning. Each one of the songs that I sing, I had the pleasure of recording and enjoying a great deal of success with. First, you don't argue with success. I'm sure you're aware of that, but each one of them has a very specific meaning for me — because they're written specifically for me.

Your Glisten and The Merry Mission co-star Billy Ray Cyrus just recently got married. Do you have any wedding well wishes for him?

Well, it's the very best. Hopefully, it's something that God has sanctioned for the both of them, that they will enjoy a great deal of happiness with each other. How can you not wish them happiness and joy? Of course I do.

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