I wanted to write songs that would play themselves on stage, songs that sweep you through their current.

I think masculinity is bravado against the mystery of the universe of women. It's just a fear of not knowing what women have that's so powerful. It's this shield they put up to try to get closer.

Heartache is very fertile ground for song-making but so is happiness, so is absolute bliss.

I'm a singer and as long as I can sing - which, thank God, is something that I still seem to be able to do - I'd like to carry on making records.

Country music was a part of my life. Now it isn't. We had a good relationship, really, but we wanted each other at arm's length. The people in Nashville didn't want to be responsible for my looks or my actions. But they sure did like the listeners I brought.

You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself.

We all love animals. Why do we call some 'pets' and others 'dinner?'