My mother always wanted me to be glamorous. When I thought about that, it really fired me up, and once I lost all those pounds, I started to feel really good about myself.

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

I'm not starry eyed, and I'm not money crazy.

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.

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

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

Jazz took too much discipline. You have to come in at the right place, which is different than me singing the blues, where I can sing, 'Oh, baby,' if there's a pause in the melody. With jazz, you better leave that space open, or put in something real cool.