I think God made a woman to be strong and not to be trampled under the feet of men. I've always felt this way because my mother was a very strong woman, without a husband.

I am the innovator. I am the originator. I am the emancipator. I am the architect of rock 'n' roll!

Black people lived right by the railroad tracks and the train would shake their houses at night. I would hear it as a boy and I thought: I'm gonna make a song that sounds like that.

I gave up rock 'n' roll for the rock of ages! I used to be a glaring homosexual until God changed me!

It's hard to have a friend when your name's a household word.

And I'd like to give my love to everybody, and let them know that the grass may look greener on the other side, but believe me, it's just as hard to cut.

I also think that what's wrong with all of us is that we don't show enough love toward each other.