I like the performing. And interviews, even. And the stuff that's not sitting in a room by yourself with empty paper. But I never loved writing, to tell you the truth.

Most of my songs are about insensitivity of some kind.

If we'd had another carefree 70s, I'd have been dead. It was a little too carefree, you know? I don't know how carefree they were for me, I think I was worried then, I can't remember what about.

But if you're doing something, show up everyday, and something good might happen - it's not going to happen if you don't show up.

I'm pretty proud of my film music in general.

God bless the potholes on Memory Lane.

I like science - geography, meteorology, cosmology.

You've got troubles, I've got 'em too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We'll stick together to see it through cause you've got a friend in me.

People become who they are. Even Beethoven became Beethoven.

You keep wondering whether people will see that Barack Obama is a liar and not very bright.

Short people got no reason to live.

Heaven can be found in the most unlikely corners.

It is unnecessary to heighten the glory of day by comparing it with the preceding twilight.

In the end, human history is made up of all our decisions.

Sometimes a noble failure serves the world as faithfully as does a distinguished success.

A friend of mine gave me a Philip Glass record. I listened to it for five hours before I realized it had a scratch on it.

Literature wasn't intended to be about perfect people, it was about flaws, very real and very deep human flaws.

I am not the rose, but I have lived near the rose.

Reason bears disgrace, courage combats it, patience surmounts it.

Why me?' I ask God. God says nothing. I laugh and the stars watch. It's good to be alive.

You don't stumble upon your heritage. It's there, just waiting to be explored and shared.