I am so happy that I am alive and can walk.

Long as I was riding in a big Cadillac and dressed nice and had plenty of food, that's all I cared about.

I like to shop, but I don't like to go out to dances.

All the things I used to like - cookies, ice cream, gumbo - I don't like anymore.

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

People always say 'Etta, you know what your problem is? You're neither fish nor fowl. There is no place to rack you.' When I would go in a record shop, you might find one or two records by me in different stacks.

When I sing for myself, I probably sing for anyone who has any kind of hurt, any kind of bad feelings, good feelings, ups and downs, highs and lows, that kind of thing.