I liked roaming around by myself.

The blues comes right back to a person's feelings, to his daily activities in life. But rich people don't know nothing about the blues, please believe me.

The music business used to carry a certain amount of brotherly love, but it isn't that way now.

If I'm going to do blues, it's going to be a typical Jimmy Rushing record.

This business switching styles can't be done honestly by one man. As soon as he can play his instrument well, he can express himself, and all his life he has only one self.

There's a difference between the blues of the New Orleans guys and anyone else and the difference is in a chord, but I can't figure the name of it. It's a different chord, and they all make it.

It's dangerous to get too far from what they identify you with.

I'm more relaxed when I can hear the beat clearly all the time I'm singing.

Anytime a person can play the blues, he has a soul and he has a 'lift' to play anything else he wants to play. It's sort of like the foundation to a building.

Your vision is a glimpse of your purpose and a picture of your larger dream.

You keep playing with what broke you, then wonder why you don’t heal.Leave the wound alone, throw away the poison, and watch the magic of recovery.Your wings of wisdom are ready for flight.

Vanity is becoming a nuisance, I can see why women give it up, eventually. But I'm not ready for that yet.

The book is like the spoon, scissors, the hammer, the wheel. Once invented it cannot be improved. You cannot make a spoonthat is better than a spoon

Most of the hip-hop people are very straight.

I'm a mad dog whose only concern is winning.

I like that people who are not experts can not only understand but get engaged by my work. I like that Joe Paterno can read me. Bill Bradley.

Wait a minute, Juanita. Make up your mind. This Snow Crash thing—is it a virus, a drug, or a religion?" Juanita shrugs. "What's the difference?

He is gifted with genius who knoweth much by natural inspiration.

All these poses of classical torture ruined my mind like a snake in the orchard. I did go from wanting to be someone, now I'm drunk and wearing flip-flops on Fifth Avenue.