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.

My mother always told me, even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it. I'd like to think I did that.

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

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.

You know, YOUR President, the one with the big ears-he ain't my President - had that woman singing for him at his Inauguration. She's going to get her [expletive] whooped. How dare Beyonce sing MY song that I been singing forever. Now I'm going to sing it for y'all.

Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude.