The other day I was reading a blog and I linked over to Streisand's Web site, and it was amazing politically. She's so insightful and incisive. And she also says whatever she wants.

Now, in music, it seems more like the popular crowd suppresses anyone who is different.

I would argue that the uncomfortable feelings she elicits are simply the by-product of watching a woman wanting and taking like a man.

What does it mean when something changes how it's always been?

Wearing a veneer of perfection never did me any good.

I knew that collaborating on songwriting would be difficult for a lot of people, because I was known very much, for my independence and the fact that I wrote these quirky songs that were not typical structure, not typical sound - you know, really original stuff.

I mean, I think about it, but I don't design my record to get a certain public response.