You almost have to create situations in order to write about them, so I live in a constant state of self-imposed poverty. I don't want to live any other way.

If you can make a little painting for the ears with a few words, well, I like words; I like cutting them up and finding different ways of saying the same thing... I get into a spell, and it all comes easy. I don't labor over it. I go inside the song, I think you make yourself an antenna for songs, and songs want to be around you. And then they bring other songs along, and then they're all sitting around, and they're drinkin' your beer, and they're sleeping on the floor. And they are using the phone, they're rude, thankless little f---ers.

You want soldiers who, when they get to a river after a long march, don't start rooting for their canteen in their pack, but just dive right in.

It's the same with men as with horses and dogs, nothing wants to die.

It's cold out there, colder than a ticket taker's smile at the Ivar Theatre on a Saturday night.

God's away, God's away, God's away on business. Business!

You know when you throw a party, you think people will show up and no one will like each other. It's like that with music - parts of your musical psyche have never met other parts. You wonder if you should get them together.