I can go write an absolutely saccharine pop record with a really catchy lyric for another artist that could become a hit without meaning anything to me, but that's more the science laboratory, that's the other thing.

Everything that kills me , makes me feel alive

There is maybe a cynicism because of my past as a writer.

I knew I could make money from songwriting, so how much and when was not really the question.

Melody is the single most important thing to any song, period. I don't care what anybody says, it trumps everything. Not because that's my opinion but because I think it's actually indisputable fact. The human brain retains melody easier than it retains words. It's that simple.

I'm a huge Lady GaGa fan - she makes the world a more incredible place.

I'm a sucker for pop melodies, things you can't get out of your head.