When people ask me what 'American Pie' means, I tell them it means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to.

Some believe in Jesus, they don't act like they do. Some believe in Mohammed, I don't believe that's true. Cause they do believe in money, and gold is what it's for, all the gold can't buy no peace of mind in a world that don't believe in nothing anymore.

I'm gonna say this and I really mean it - I'm very thankful that I'm not a huge star. I've all the stardom and celebrity that I can handle. But I also have peace and quiet. I am left alone. And I am not recognized everywhere I go and it's perfect. I can come and fill the theatres and I get on stage ... people say: "Well, oh yeah, that must be him," you know?

In the autumn of 1970 I had a job singing in the school system, playing my guitar in classrooms.

The kids today all seem to think they should be stars, but I wasn't brought up that way.

Every pulse of your heartbeat is one liquid moment that flows through the veins of your being. Like a river of life flowing on since creation, approaching the sea with each new generation.

I think longevity is more important than trying to make people realize you're around every second.