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.

When Malcolm X was assassinated I was working at the Apollo. They brought his body to the Unity Funeral Home, which was around the corner.

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

It's not about battling the original artists when I record these songs, it's about paying tribute to them.

I'm not a braggart, but when I was a little girl people used to come from all over Hollywood to hear me sing.

To me, country music is like the blues, but it's something very hip and - I don't want to say commercial - but it's very worldly and good listening.

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.