When I'm really, really angry, if I'm privileged enough to be next to someone who can hold my anger, I'll definitely take them up on holding the bucket.

What influenced me was Tori Amos, who was unapologetic about expressing anger through music, and Sinead O'Connor. Those two in particular were really moving for me, and very inspiring, before I wrote 'Jagged Little Pill.'

Typically I go in the studio and whatever I'm contemplating that day will wind up being a song. I don't come in with lyrics... I just go in and let it happen.

It's exciting for people to define who they are in relation to what I write - whether it be by loving or hating it.

I think God is everything. Human beings created the punitive, vengeful deity who considers us to be innate sinners.

I do feel blessed to be in the public eye so I can share what I believe. But I think it would be extremely disappointing if I were to count on it to provide happiness. I've come to realize that any time I do that, the fulfillment is short-lived at best.

I was motivated by just thinking that if you had all this external success that everyone would love you and everything would be peaceful and wonderful.