Baby, black promoters oppressed me before white promoters ever got hold of me. Don't talk skin to me.

When you are through with the blues, you've got nothing to rest on.

It is easy to be independent when you've got money. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing, that's the Lord's test.

My hands, my feet, I throw my whole body to say all that is within me.

If you want me to sing this Christmas song with the feeling and the meaning, you better see if you can locate that check.

I've always been a tomboy. I've always liked to wear red, black, and white, and mostly pants.