Michael (Jackson) was so shy, he'd sit down and sing behind the couch with his back to me while I sat with my hands over my eyes-and the lights off.

To me it's no accident that all the symphony orchestras around the world tune up to the note A. And A is 440 cycles, except in Germany where it's 444. But the universe is 450 cycles. So what I'm trying to say is, I think it's God's voice, melody especially. Counterpoint, retrograde inversion, harmony... that's the science and the craft.

I was reading Omar Khayyam, Kahlil Gibran, Rumi, L. Ron Hubbard, all sorts of philosophy. Bebop cats are like that. Curious. I wanted to know about everything.

China's got a billion people and a hit record over there is a million records. You know that ain't right.

I'm a great believer in letting lyrics just flow out, wherever they come from.

Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old shared a little of what he is good at doing.

Greatness occurs when your children love you, when your critics respect you and when you have peace of mind.