My songs were influenced not so much by poetry on the page but by poetry being recited by the poets who recited poems with jazz bands.

keep a clean nose, watch the plain-clothes.

I like the fans, but I don't feel an obligation that I have to be an example to them, like say maybe a baseball player would, or a football player or maybe some other type of musicians. I don't feel I have to really set an example that somebody else has to live up to.

I feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet, putting her in a wheel-barrow and wheeling her down the street.

It goes back to the destiny thing.I made a bargain with it, you know, a long time ago. And I'm holding up my end.

I was born a long way from where I belong and I am on my way home.

Some times I think this whole world Is one big prison yeard Some of us are prisoners The rest of us are guards