I figured I could do "It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World" because I believe it's the truth.

You can't fake this music. You might be a great singer or a great musician but, in the need, that's got nothing to do with it. It's how you connect to the songs and to the history behind them.

They said that Etta James is still vulgar. I said, Oh, how dare them say I'm still vulgar. I'm vulgar because I dance in the chair. What would they want me to do? Want me to just be still or something like that? I've got to do something.

When I'm singing the blues, I'm singing life.

What happens is, when I perform, I'm somewhere else. I go back in time and get in touch with who I really am. I forget my troubles, my worries.

The only time that I am really truly happy—when I feel at my best—is when I'm on the stage.

I was originally like a punker, know what I mean, like the punks are today, I'd spit in a minute.