Why should I limit myself to only one woman when I can have as many women as I want?

Writing music is not so much inspiration as hard work.

True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time.

Out of my entire annual output of songs, perhaps two, or at the most three, came as a result of inspiration. We can never rely on inspiration. When we most want it, it does not come.

My people are Americans. My time is today.

I want to say at once that I frankly believe that Irving Berlin is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived.... His songs are exquisite cameos of perfection, and each one of them is as beautiful as its neighbor. Irving Berlin remains, I think, America's Schubert.

Jazz is one of the best things that you can find in your life, it can always be your friend.