Coming from a little suburban town, I wasn't a hip city kid. I was quite the opposite, really. Songs like 'Saturday's Kids' rang a bell for kids all over the country. That song was about the kids I grew up with.

My own personal theory is that all popular music, in whatever form it is, to me, it all comes from Africa. Whether it's filtered through America or whatever - African-American. But I still think there's something in that roots music that's very, very African, and I think that's what unites people.

It is nice to make a record and people like it, and it's encouraging.

I don't think about what I can't do or what I shouldn't be doing. I just think there are endless possibilities musically, really.

There have been records I've been really, really pleased with that haven't connected with people. But I felt good about them.

I think the biggest influence for me is when I hear a great piece of music, whatever the style, I'm kind of inspired by that greatness and I'm inspired to try and obtain something that comes close to that greatness.

If you gave me a fresh carnation, I would only crush its tender petals.