It's ill-becoming for an old broad to sing about how bad she wants it. But occasionally we do.

A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it.

The naked female body is treated so weirdly in society. It's like people are constantly begging to see it, but once they do, someone's a hoe.

Count Basie isn't just a man, or even just a band. He's a way of life.

You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way.

I don't have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I'd become. I'm me, and I'm like nobody else.

I remember the day tDr. King died. I wasn't angry at the beginning. It was like something very personal in my life had been touched and finished.