I like the idea of taking a true classic written by a true genius and essentially destroying it!

The best of my songs are more than just a joke. There's something else going on - a character, or it's not just a plain joke.

I've always had a lot of respect from the people I respected.

You've got troubles, I've got 'em too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We'll stick together to see it through cause you've got a friend in me.

Things aren't black and white in the world.

I've often written about places that are totally different from anything I know. Sometimes they turn out better.

In England, in France, in no other country would a black man have a chance to get elected. There's no two ways about it. Our country [USA] has been better about dealing with immigration and people who are different from each other than any other country in the world, that I know of.