I could write songs about politics, but I'm conscious of not writing songs that sound the same as the ones I wrote 30 years ago.

I'm so lucky, I'm just really grateful for what I've got around me - children and my wife and everything else.

In my old age, my mind gets more open, and I listen to so many different types of music and I guess that all reflects in my work.

I get labelled as just being about one thing, but there's lots of layers to what I do.

The whole nostalgia thing, and just sticking with what you always liked and what you know and not taking a chance on something or expanding. I think especially after a certain age.

I'd like to think that what I've written over the years and what I'm doing now means something to people. People in the street all the time are saying "love the new record" or "I love that record," this tune or that tune. It means an awful lot, or it's been a big part of their lives. As a songwriter, what else would you really want? You're trying to connect with people, people's emotions, and maybe say something about their lives or feelings. That's probably a good enough compliment to receive, really.

I play out my role, I've even been out walking -They tell me that it helps, but I know when I'm beaten.