I'm trying to interpret the film through the director's head, but it all comes out through me. So, a composer is kind of like a psychic medium.

For me, writing something in the spirit of Halloween is like Mother Teresa writing on charity and sacrifice. It's just second nature to me.

Or certainly I would need time - which I would love to have but there almost never is on a film - to just spend a week with a roomful of guys laying down these patterns.

I'm so happy dancing while the grim reaper cuts, cuts, cuts, but he can't get me. I'm as clever as can be, and I'm very quick but don't forget; we've only got so many tricks. no one lives forever.

If there's one thing I really love... it's sad music.

The idea of performing some of Jack Skellington's songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas live for the very first time is immensely exciting.

You hear the beginning of a melody, you should kind of know it's going to lead down this path. It should start feeling like a friend, like familiar.

You have to write a good score that you feel good about. At least, you're supposed to. But, if the director hates it, it ain't going to be in the movie!

I don't see myself necessarily having a burning desire to write a symphony.

I would have to say I might do some stuff, but it's the film that's appealing. I was raised on film. My musical experience is all via film, it's not from classical music.

This is Halloween, everybody make a scene Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright It's our town, everybody scream In this town of Halloween.

To open a closed door, use kindness as your key.

When I decided to go to a country that subsidized music, I went to the Soviet Union for two years.

It is a silly question to ask a prostitute why she does it ... These are the highest-paid 'professional' women in America.

Mathematics is being lazy. Mathematics is letting the principles do the work for you so that you do not have to do the work for yourself

Aye, aye! and I'll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition's flames before I give him up.

I meant I’m not afraid of love being difficult. If it was easy, then everyone would find it.

Live with no time-out.

Only with a leaf can I talk of the forest

We discussed this very important issue yesterday over a beer.

You could tell a lot about a man by the books he keeps - his tastes, his interest, his habits.