I was training to be an electrician. I suppose I got wired the wrong way round somewhere along the line.

I figure all any kid needs is hope and the feeling he or she belongs.

Every time I think that I'm getting old, and gradually going to the grave, something else happens.

On a cold and gray Chicago morning another little baby child is born in the ghetto, and his Mama cries.

The first time that I appeared on stage, it scared me to death. I really didn't know what all the yelling was about. I didn't realize that my body was moving. It's a natural thing to me. So to the manager backstage I said, "What'd I do? What'd I do?" And he said, "Whatever it is, go back and do it again."

The closest I ever came to getting married was just before I started singing. In fact, my first record saved my neck.

Maybe I didn't treat you Quite as good as I should have Maybe I didn't love you Quite as often as I could have Little things I should have said and done I just never took the time You were always on my mind You were always on my mind