My mom taught me a lot. A lot about minding your own business and leaving other people's business alone. And let them think what they want.

If somebody don't like something that I do, that's his or her prerogative. Just like it's mine.

When I started to sing like myself - as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while - when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.

I can't help what I sound like. What I sound like is what i am. You know? I cannot be anything other that what I am.

I'm not a jazz singer, blues singer or country singer. I'm a singer that can sing rhythm & blues, that can sing jazz, that can sing country. There's a big difference. In other words, I'm not a specialist.

All my life I've always been so blue, born to lose, and now I'm losing you.

Affluence separates people. Poverty knits 'em together. You got some sugar and I don't; I borrow some of yours. Next month you might not have any flour; well, I'll give you some of mine.