Going down the old mine with a transistor radio.

Rock is gut level and it just gets to people. I think there's far too much emphasis on intellectualization, especially in rock 'n' roll which is a primitive form.

Large audiences did not suit my low-key approach.

J.P. Donleavy - now he's one writer I am consistent with. He's written books that I can definitely connect with. He has amazing insights which other people missed out on. Even with his descriptions of Northern Ireland.

In order to win you must be prepared to lose sometime. And leave one or two cards showing.

When I started out in this business, I was a performer before I was a songwriter, I was a performer before I was recording. Performing is the roots. That's where it all came from. You didn't start out doing it because you wanted to make an album.

See the man on the TV with a phony smile. Bring you up, bring you down, he can turn your head around.