I came from somewhat of a musical family. I had an uncle on Broadway. My dad kind of knows how to play instruments. Although, I always find it annoying when he does play an instrument.

May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground.

I kind of like being depressed.

There’s always some level of optimism in every single song.

It takes a lot to still believe in people.

Running in Central Park is my favorite thing to wake up and do. I have my own specific path that I have to run every single time. There's a little bit of OCD involved, but I love it.

I don't play an instrument - I just write in my head, and I usually hear fully formed songs. 'We Are Young' turned out so much like it was in my head. But it also exceeded all my expectations.

But as long as you're creating the art you want to create, if people start liking you, you shouldn't have to apologize. You want your stuff to be heard by as many people as possible.

If I wasn't a musician I'd probably be like a meth addict.

I try and get about eight hours of sleep every single night. And I like to think that I drink more water than anyone, ever.

I don't want to be known for anything other than writing songs.

All words are pegs to hang ideas on.

The essence of leadership is not giving things or even providing visions. It is offering oneself and one's spirit.

You should see some of the things people tweet me. There have been death wishes on my Twitter timeline.

The highest and best work of imagination is the marvelous transformation that it works in character. Imagine that you are one with the principal of good, and you will become truly good.

Play the shot you've got the best chance of playing well.

We should focus more on the things we've accomplished, but I mean, obviously Syria disturbs me greatly and I'm not happy with where Syria is.

One of the things I think is really problematic about something like [government] spyware is that it isn't transparent - because of that anonymity and that secrecy, there aren't laws to regulate it.

Command by instinct is swifter, subtler, deeper, more accurate, more in touch with reality than command by conscious mind. The discovery takes one's breath away.

My working life is me doing what I want to do. This is that. I've made movies that people don't go to see.

I had to have a large kitchen because I look to cook