If we keep our little flame alive, our first feeling of enthusiasm of who we are, without the influence or intervention of others, we will prevail.

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 got over the loss of his desk and chair, but never the desire to produce a string of words more precious than the emeralds of Cortés.

New generations have unprecedented power to make great changes. Take the music business for example. The new generations have toppled the music industry by file sharing, downloading, and Myspace. Rock 'n' roll belongs to the people.

Why can't I write something that would awake the dead? That pursuit is what burns most deeply.

One day we’ll go in together, and the work will be ours.

I got my style from a lot of different people, even my style of reading, even Johnny Carson inspired me.