I heard someone from the music business saying they are no longer looking for talent, they want people with a certain look and a willingness to cooperate. I thought, that's interesting, because I believe a total unwillingness to cooperate is what is necessary to be an artist — not for perverse reasons, but to protect your vision. The considerations of a corporation, especially now, have nothing to do with art or music. That's why I spend my time now painting.

In terms of fiction, I'd rather go out and have a good time than read a book about someone having a good or bad time.

How does a person create a song? A lot of it is being open to encounter and to be in touch with the miraculous.

When you reach that kind of successful pinnacle, it is the nature of the business and the press and everything that they go about tearing you down.

At the point where I'm trying to force something and it's not happening, and I'm getting frustrated with, say, writing a poem, I can go and pick up the brushes and start painting. At the point where the painting seems to not be going anywhere, I go and pick up the guitar.

Daydreamin' drugs the pain of living.

Rolling Stone hates me. They must have an editorial policy to do me in for many years.