Everybody who I ever cared about has told me that they like my music: Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Al Green, The Spinners, Smokey Robinson. Everybody that matters.

Americans think that if you're popular, there must be something wrong with you.

Smokey Robinson is one of my heroes as a singer and songwriter, a major influence on my own music from the very start.

When you have that first flash of what you think is going to be a great idea-from the mouth, from the hands-that's an amazing feeling. I don't think anything's quite as good as that.

If you work hard and you're good, you can build something for yourself.

I have gone from one relationship to a marriage and stepchildren.

I love antique architecture, so if I have any indulgences, I have owned and renovated and reconstructed a lot of old houses.