The noted rhythm and blues singer shares her own turbulent life, in an anecdotal memoir that recalls her rise from poverty to the heights of musical fame and her struggle with addiction, obesity, loss, and broken love affairs. Foreword: ``Etta, the Time Is Now!'' ix Acknowledgments xiii Jamesetta 3(8) Years of Fears 11(6) ``Swing It Away, Echoes of Eden Choir!'' 17(9) Tragic Stroke 26(7) Sugar on the Floor 33(5) Wild 38(10) Etta James 48(8) More Road Shows 56(18) Kings and Queens 74(8) ``Wake Up, Etta, and Tell the Man You a Nigger!'' 82(9) Rage 91(10) At Last 101(10) Jamesetta X 111(8) ``Dear God, How Did It Come to This?'' 119(8) Fluid on the Brain 127(5) The Pimp 132(10) The Repertoire 142(7) ``A Change Is Gonna Come'' 149(5) Working for My Habit 154(6) ``Bitch, I'm God'' 160(8) Gender Benders 168(7) Security 175(7) Frantic 182(6) The Chicken Is Heroin 188(10) Bonnie and Clyde 198(5) Living for the City 203(6) ``I'm Etta James and I'm a Spoiled Baby'' 209(6) Rumble in the Jungle 215(7) Deep in the Night 222(9) Like a Rolling Stone 231(6) ``You Ever Heard of Etta James?'' 237(9) Back to the Blues 246(5) Seven-Year Itch 251(8) Swap-Meet Girl 259(6) Selected Discography 265(1) Index 266