I think the nature of songwriters is that they are philosophers, and philosophers have a bent towards poetry and songwriting, so I think that the two run around together. The nature of a songwriter could be philosophical. Looking for universal ideas, a way to say things, get the story across as a means of entertaining, provoking thought.

Is this really Butte, Montana, or just existential blues?

I never hid out. I was never big enough a star.

I am a fan of history.

I had the notion that I wanted to write the great dirty American novel, so I went to Roanoke College on the GI Bill.

A monkey was the President, though maybe not the first. And there was peace and harmony throughout the universe.

Make your melodies simple enough so that the average person can hum them.