Them that's got shall get, Them that's not shall lose. So the Bible says, And it still is news. Mama may have, Papa may have, But God bless the child that's got his own.

I can't stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession. If you can, then it ain't music, it's close order drill, or exercise or yodeling or something, not music.

I don't think I'm singing. I feel like I'm playing a horn...What comes out is what I feel.

You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.

When Lester plays, he almost seems to be singing; one can almost hear the words.

I can only sing songs my way. I don't know any other way.

I'm always making a comeback but nobody ever tells me where I've been.