Opera needs to be a total escape from real life. To relate to what we're going through today is fine and dandy, but it's really about being transported and completely swept away by a romantic notion.

I personally don’t have the ability to lie about my life, for better or for worse.

I should write a musical. That is probably one of the final areas that I should pay attention to, because it does kind of involve everything. It's got theatre, it's got young, pretty people... And it's got money!

I think I've done a pretty fantastic job, but of course I want to sell millions of records.

I find so many songwriters today are missing an element ... either the production is amazing but the songs aren't, or it's the other way around.

I'm 33 and in my "Jesus year," and I want it all right now. I want a perfect body. I want to have a perfect love affair. I want every member of my family to be healthy and happy. And I want the world to save itself and for America to realize that it has to give up its idea of being an empire. Wait until I hit 40; then it'll all come crumbling down.

I am ridiculously high-maintenance.