If you possess something but you can't give it away, then you don't possess it... it possesses you.

What I do with my life is of my own doing. I live it the best way I can.

I'm just a singer, Elvis was the embodiment of the whole American culture.

It is Billie Holiday who was, and still remains, the greatest single musical influence on me.

If you don't know the guy on the other side of the world, love him anyway because he's just like you. He has the same dreams, the same hopes and fears. It's one world, pal. We're all neighbors.

The only male singer who I've seen besides myself and who's better than me--that is Michael Jackson.

Most of what has been written about me is one big blur, but I do remember being described in one simple word that I agree with. It was in a piece that tore me apart for my personal behavior, but the writer said that when the music began and I started to sing, I was "honest."