Music may be the activity that prepared our pre-human ancestors for speech communication and for the very cognitive, representational flexibility nec….

I do more writing by myself than with anybody else. My best thing is sitting...around somewhere with a guitar, and having an idea. You never know whe….

True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time..

The effect of music is so very much more powerful and penetrating than is that of the other arts, for these others speak only of the shadow, but musi….

[At a musical concert:] . . . the music's pure algebra of enchantment..

... there are chords in every human heart. If we only knew how to strike the right chord, we would bring out the music..

The strength you've insisted on assigning to others is actually within yourself..

Here we are now, entertain us..

the relentless touring and endless repetition of the same songs over and over again promoted a creeping awareness that my music had begun to sound li….

With the Rhythm Kings, I can involve myself in arranging and producing the music as well as the choice of songs..

You can't copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you're working without any real feeling..

I hate straight singing. I have to change a tune to my own way of doing it. That's all I know..

A kiss that is never tasted, is forever and ever wasted..

I never had a chance to play with dolls like other kids. I started working when I was six years old..

I've been told that nobody sings the word 'hunger' like I do..

I don't like to go into the studio with all the songs worked out and planned before hand ... you've got to give the band something to use its imagina….

Some people think I'm a mythical genius, others think I'm a junkie madman..

Fonny and I just sat there... while the voices of the congregation rose and rose around us, without mercy... Teddy had the tambourine, and gave the c….

Mozart has the classic purity of light and the blue ocean; Beethoven the romantic grandeur which belongs to the storms of air and sea, and while the ….

Mozart eliminates the idea of haste from life. His airs could not lag as they make their journey through the listener's attention; they are not the r….

I get way down in the music / Down inside the music..