I think its very important that we enjoy our life, that we get everything we can out of it.

I always wrote like rock 'n' roll. And I always listen to rock 'n' roll as poetry.

I think the film [Dream of Life] is life-affirming.

I always hesitate when people call me a musician.I have had no musical training. I can't play anything. I really think of myself as a performer. It's always been writing for me. I evolved with my band in rock 'n' roll through poetry, not through music.

He found it was as easy to hurl beauty as anything else. (On Robert Mapplethorpe)

We all make choices. Believe me, I would like to write the hit of the world. It's not like I have any desire to be in the shadows. My vision isn't marketing. Some people want to sell 6 million albums. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just not what I do. I'd rather look at a piece of work and say it's great rather than it's successful.

You're not a rock 'n' roll person four hours a day or even when you're on stage. It's become the rhythm of your whole life.