...It's all sort of dreams and it's all illusion. It's theater; it's not real. We're making up stories, you know, and people tend to run into you and believe you are your characters. And I suppose the funny thing is the longer you go, you do become sort of some version of [your characters]. You both diverge from them - you know - you live, but you also permanently inhabit that geography and that mental space - and so you do morph a little bit. We do become what we imagine.

You need two things to remain very, very present. You need to continue to write well and engage yourself in the issues of the day. And you have to continue to make good, relevant records.

Anyone who's grown up or lived on the Jersey Shore knows the place is unique.

I cut my bow from the wood of this tree of evil. Of this tree of good, I want a kiss from your lips.

I don't want to make a record like in the '50s or the '60s or the '70s. I want to make a record like today, that`s right now.

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive

We all have stories we're living and telling ourselves.