I take a whole life story and compress it into three minutes.

A lot of songs you write are just for exercise - just pencil sharpeners.

Country music is three chords and the truth.

I'm always collecting emotions for future reference.

I usually start with a title or maybe a little rhyme or phrase.

Work is both my living and my pleasure.

Hollywood's a very weird place. I think there's less of everything except for attitude.

My great-grandfather was a self-taught man, and his library was extraordinary. I read the lot.

College. I didn't even realize it was carefree at the time, but looking back, that was the most carefree time ever.

Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for stars.

I'm right, and you're smart, and sooner or later you'll see I'm right.

Wherever I am in the world I want to be creating new projects and innovations, which are exciting and make a difference to communities.

A man of the utmost insignificance.

The genuine music lover may accept the carnal husk of opera to get at the kernel of actual music within, but that is no sign that he approves the carnal husk or enjoys gnawing through it.

The idea of it (draining Lake Powell) is absolutely ridiculous.

So who are we going to blame for our disappointments and our failures?