I do not mind having written the song at all. I just wish that I had written it in a different key, as the high d is hard to play. I am glad that I wrote something that brought joy to millions of people.

Brazilian music has many of the ingredients that I strive for in my own music: Strong melodies and a disciplined but intense rhythmic concept, and interesting harmonies.

There's not much in the way of written-down arrangements - just things that Gerry and I have worked out, from playing spontaneously together and hanging on to whatever seems to fall in right.

Whether it's string writing or whatever, I try to write for what each instrumentalist can do best.

My music has always been strong in melodic content.

I can count on one hand the number of instrumental hits there have been over the last 10 years.

I have been recording for five decades now.