It sounds simple, of course, but personally I can think of no more mentally arduous task than making music.

When jazz is played in another nation, it is called American. When it is played in another country, it sounds false. Jazz is the result of the energy stored up in America.

For suddenly, I saw you there And through foggy London town The sun was shining everywhere.

It is always possible to create something original.

I want to say at once that I frankly believe that Irving Berlin is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived.... His songs are exquisite cameos of perfection, and each one of them is as beautiful as its neighbor. Irving Berlin remains, I think, America's Schubert.

Out of my entire annual output of songs, perhaps two, or at the most three, came as a result of inspiration. We can never rely on inspiration. When we most want it, it does not come.

The European boys have small ideas but they sure know how to dress 'em up.