I refuse to live a conventional life.

Art keeps me alive. I've obviously been devastated or heartbroken all my life, since my mother's death.

Whenever I do my live shows, I feel artistically inspired and excited because I get to do and say a lot of things that I can't if I just make a record. A lot of times it's the only way people are going to hear my music because you don't get to have your music played on Top 40 if you're above the age of 35.

When I came to New York it was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi-cab, the first time for everything. And I came here with 35 dollars in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done.

I'll flirt with anyone from garbagemen to grandmothers.

Sometimes I look back at myself and remember things I used to say, or my hairstyle, and I cringe.

I'm ambitious. But if I weren't as talented as I am ambitious, I would be a gross monstrosity.