If we'd had another carefree 70s, I'd have been dead. It was a little too carefree, you know? I don't know how carefree they were for me, I think I was worried then, I can't remember what about.

The easiest thing I do is assignment songs. They tell me what they need me to write. I can do that fairly quickly. Writing for an orchestra is difficult. Writing songs [on your own] is most difficult of all. Though [writing for] the orchestra is close.

I once had dinner with Madonna and I wasn't nervous but within about a minute I found myself talking about underwear.

I seen her with the milkman, riding down the street. When you're through with my baby, milkman, send her home to me.

I ain't saying that I'm better than you, but maybe I am.

If getting on the radio was a major motivation, I'd be one of the worst writers of all time. I admire people who do it, and I think it's a nice way to work, but I try to do the best I can and write what I like. I don't worry about it.

Don't forget to bring that little blonde haired girl along. You know the one, love to watch her jump up and down.