When I was working on the lyrics, I thought of all the lullabies we learn as children: "Away in the Manger," William Blake's lullabies. I realized that the key to lullabies is simplicity.

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

I walk alone, assaulted it seems, by tears from heaven.

I wrote every day. I don't think I could have written Just Kids had I not spent all of the 80s developing my craft as a writer.

I hate to be enclosed. I don't like bathroom doors - I don't shut them. In fact, in my house, I have no doors.

Steven [Sebring] just fell in with my family life. He helped me wash the dishes and play with the kids. I could tell that he was a person who understood families.

The whole process of working with Steven [Sebring] and being filmed by him helped me psychologically to get my feet back on the ground.