I had made all these rules for myself: I'm not writing social commentary, I'm not writing love songs.

They'll crucify you for staying the same, and they'll crucify you for change. I'd rather be crucified for changing.

Unlike some of my peers, I haven't really hit a writer's block. When I hit a block I just paint, which is an old crop rotation trick.

I try not to steal from myself, but the modalities create similarities.

The Blue album, there’s hardly a dishonest note in the vocals. At that period of my life, I had no personal defenses. I felt like a cellophane wrapper on a pack of cigarettes. I felt like I had absolutely no secrets from the world and I couldn’t pretend in my life to be strong. Or to be happy. But the advantage of it in the music was that there were no defenses there, either.

I always thought the women of song don't get along, and I don't know why that is.

I never really wanted to be a star. I didn't like entering a room with all eyes on me. I still don't really like the attention of a birthday party.