"I've been told that nobody sings the blues like Billie Holiday. That's because I don't sing the blues, I live the blues."

"I've got to be myself, and I can't be myself unless I sing what I feel."

"I'm not a saint. I'm a sinner."

"If I'm going to sing like someone else, then I don't need to sing at all."

"You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar in your shoes, and still mess up."