A song must move the story ahead. A song must take the place of dialogue. If a song halts the show, pushes it back, stalls it, the audience won't buy it; they'll be unhappy.

Keep it in tune with the times, but don't write with the specific purpose of trying to create a hit. If you're doing it strictly to make money, you're crazy. There are easier ways to make money.

A rhyme doesn't make a song.

Grab your coat, and get your hat Leave your worry on the doorstep Just direct your feet To the sunny side of the street.

In a show or a movie, one must work with many people. Many women just don't have the time for it.

Love is the reason you were born.

A song doesn't just come on. I've always had to tease it out, squeeze it out. 'No thesaurus can give you those words, no rhyming dictionary. They must happen out of you.