When you have great songs that are going to live longer than the composers, everything you can do to bring those different elements and nuances out, serve the song

I have friends who've tried to break into the UK, who went back with their tails between their legs. Fortunately I've had the opposite experience.

There are certain people who have become better artists, but they're brilliant at marketing. I think someone who's been phenomenal like that is Madonna.

Whoever best serves the song is going to be served by the song

It's an important thing to remember where you came from.

The Top 40 is geared toward 20 and under, not 20 and up. That's the audience I'm geared to

I'm proud of my mentors. Ray Charles is the strongest influence on me as a singer