I like to sit on the front porch of an old cabin I built in the woods and just listen to the birds; I like to fish in the pond and I always throw the fish back.

Gospel music is so ingrained into my bones. I can't do a concert without singing a gospel song. It's what I was raised on.

I love to go to the studio and stay there 10 or 12 hours a day. I love it. What is it? I don't know. It's life.

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?

Those that have lived longer than us always have something to teach us, that we can take with us for the rest of our lives.

I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes. I'm thankful for the birds; I feel like they're singing just for me when I get up in the morning... Saying, 'Good morning, John. You made it, John.' I'm thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down. I'm thankful.

Could it be the girls and boys are trying to be heard above your noise?