I'm always coming up with ideas that have been inspired by memories, everyday life and this and that and the other.

I'm dealing with things as they come along, and I'm talking about it.

I'm going to have my moody times.

I'm trying to get out of my own way.

I'm trying to learn how to tap into the power of my own being. I know it sounds corny.

My approach to recording and all that is pretty organic. It just has to do with all the songs I wrote; go in and record them.

Sade's stuff is real deceptive. She's got stuff about prostitutes, poverty and people on the streets.

Sometimes I might borrow something from a song I started a long time ago and see if I can grab something.

The more I separate myself from my upbringing, the more I appreciate what it's done for me.

The way I look at life, whatever I'm doing at that time in my life is going to be reflected in my songs, for the most part.

There's so many other things to write about than unrequited love.

We just did a few takes of a song and just picked the best one. It was real organic and genuine.

You can't really praise somebody's work and then criticize the process.

You should put time into learning your craft. It seems like people want success so quickly, way before they're ready.

First thing, I throw on some jeans, a T-shirt and my Keds sneakers and make coffee. That is actually my favorite time of day. That is when I do my songwriting, when I am in writing mode.

I certainly had my God-can-you-just-take-me-now-I've-just-had-it-I'm-checking-out-let-me-off-the-train-I'm-done kind of thing. But, you know, I would never actually do it. I just can't imagine what it would take to do that.

I feel a lot more comfortable being me these days. I'm constantly told that my work is good. A lot of fans and a lot of other artists say my songs and albums mean a lot to them. Isn't that what's important?

I grew up in a very literate, very independent household where people spoke their ideas and were very supportive of helping each other find their own way.

I have a folder of scraps and pieces of paper with stuff, ideas for songs from the last 25 years; just little things, maybe early songs that I finished, but didn't think they were good enough.

I've had trouble being in relationships and writing. This has been a real problem for me. I don't know if it's because I'm not free to fantasize or create these fantasy things about other people.