When I record somebody else's song, I have to make it my own or it doesn't feel right. I'll say to myself, I wrote this and he doesn't know it!

Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I could get by with it. I did and I've worn black clothes ever since.

I learn from my mistakes. It’s a very painful way to learn, but without pain, the old saying is, there’s no gain.

I'm thrilled to death with life.

Jesus will not fail me, I shall not be moved.

What I said, what are you [Rick Rubin] going to do with me that nobody else has been able to do to sell records with me?

In the Air Force, I had an old Wilcox Gay recorder, and I used to hear guitar runs on that recorder going (vocalizing) like the chords on "I Walk The Line." And I always wanted to write a love song using that theme, that tune.