Before I became famous I had a very full life, and that gave me a lot to pick from. I always use everything. It always comes in handy. Working with animals... Well, I just enjoyed that. That was the most peaceful time.

I wouldn't record any song that I didn't like.

If you fall, I will catch you. I will be waiting, time after time.

Your own shoes are hard enough to fill, but somebody else's are even tougher.

There have been great things that happened to me.

When I got hoarse, the manager would say, 'Drink this. Joplin used to drink this,' and I used to say, 'Joplin? Joplin's dead

I've got a Grammy and Emmy, I'd like to have a Tony.