I never use that word, retire.

When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille.

You never miss what you've never had. I never had any other life. I didn't know any other life.

Blues purists never cared for me. I don't worry about it. I think if it this way: When I made 'Three O' Clock Blues,' they were not there. The people out there made the tune. And blues purists just wrote about it. The people is who I'm trying to satisfy.

Ladies, friends, and music - without those three, I wouldn't wanna be here

No one can take it away from you.

A day that I don't learn something new is a wasted day.