Etta James quotes - page 2

Etta James was an iconic American singer, celebrated for her rich, powerful voice and influence on blues, soul, R&B, and rock and roll music. Her timeless classics like "At Last" and "I'd Rather Go Blind" have left an enduring mark on music history. She became a symbol of emotional depth and artistry, inspiring generations of musicians. Here are 45 of her quotes:

It's not about battling the original artists when I record these songs, it's about paying tribute to them. (Etta James)
Most of the songs I sing have that blues feeling in it. They have that sorry feeling. And I don't know what I'm sorry about. I don't. View quote
Etta James
Johnny Guitar... just one of my favorite singers of all time. I met him when we were both on the road with Johnny Otis in the '50s when I was a teenager. We traveled the country in a car together.I would hear him sing every night. View quote
Etta James
The only time that I am really truly happy - when I feel at my best - is when I'm on the stage. View quote
Etta James
When I sing for myself, I probably sing for anyone who has any kind of hurt, any kind of bad feelings, good feelings, ups and downs, highs and lows, that kind of thing. View quote
Etta James
It feels so good to be happy. View quote
Etta James
I'm not a bourgeois person, never will be. View quote
Etta James
See, I don't like places where people can't dance - don't like clubs or theatres where a bunch of bourgeois people sit around tip, tip, tipping their fingers. View quote
Etta James
Jazz took too much discipline. You have to come in at the right place, which is different than me singing the blues, where I can sing, 'Oh, baby,' if there's a pause in the melody. With jazz, you better leave that space open, or put in something real cool. View quote
Etta James
I'm not starry eyed, and I'm not money crazy. View quote
Etta James
I really turned into, you know, the real street kid. I was kind of like a runaway, but I had a mother, you know what I mean, and I had a place to stay. (Etta James)
I was a sloppy kid, wanted to be just wild. View quote
Etta James
People always say 'Etta, you know what your problem is? You're neither fish nor fowl. There is no place to rack you.' When I would go in a record shop, you might find one or two records by me in different stacks. View quote
Etta James
Country music has the great stories. View quote
Etta James
To me, country music is like the blues, but it's something very hip and - I don't want to say commercial - but it's very worldly and good listening. View quote
Etta James
My mother used to play nothing but Billie Holiday. View quote
Etta James
Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. View quote
Etta James
But even so, I still get nervous before I go onstage. View quote
Etta James
Long as I was riding in a big Cadillac and dressed nice and had plenty of food, that's all I cared about. View quote
Etta James
I was originally like a punker, know what I mean, like the punks are today, I'd spit in a minute. View quote
Etta James

Etta James

Etta James - Image
Photo: John K. Addis, CC BY-SA 3.0
Occupation: American Musician
Born: January 25, 1938
Died: January 20, 2012
Quotes count: 45