During the lifetime of Japan I became very neurotic, very paranoid.

Creating a decent pop song is a challenge - and occasionally, once in every decade - it's kind of fun to do that.

Sometimes a little compromise isn't a bad thing. You don't need to be precious about it.

Zen Buddhism is a discipline where belief isn't necessary.

I don't listen to a lot of music any more and even the people I've loved for years - the Nick Drakes of this world - I can't go back to them and listen to them over and over.

It wasn't my natural inclination to get into writing protest songs.

People are afraid to ask musicians to be involved in projects because they anticipate being turned down. Young artists hesitate before contacting me. People in my position don't get approached often enough.