It's rather mystifying when you think about writing songs - where they come from, and how they're born.

I like Thelonious Monk, he's so gnarled, he's like a piece of machinery that's pulled up the bolts on the floor and gone off on its own.

I was born in the back seat of a Yellow Cab in a hospital loading zone and with the meter still running. I emerged needing a shave and shouted 'Time Square, and step on it!'

I don't like hearing Beatles songs in commercials. It almost renders them useless. I think, 'Oh God, another one bites the dust.'

Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends.

For a songwriter, you dont really go to songwriting school; you learn by listening to tunes.

I'm not fighting for justice. I am not fighting for freedom. I am fighting for my life and another day in the world here.