Songwriting requires some sort of ceremony to even get the process started, and it can be somewhat arbitrary.

I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good.

I think I'm still a little too intense for my own good sometimes.

Every time I get up in the morning, melodies occur to me and I start trying to shape lyrics to melodies.

I guess I'm attracted to more archaic words because they can be imbued with more meaning, because their definition is elusive.

My favorite literature to read is fairly dry history. I like the framework, and my imagination can do the rest.

Sometimes I think I don't have much choice in the matter. It's just what happens, and I'm following my instincts the whole time.

Songwriters can sort of get away with murder. You can throw out crazy theories and not have to back it up with data or graphs or research.

All the folks I play with come from jazz backgrounds or at least appreciate spontaneity within the parameters of a pop song.

I am, in some sense, a writer. Even though I kinda downplay the word thing, I do enjoy writing sometimes.

I think when I was pretty young I got really into the tone of my instrument and I remember just playing one note for an hour to just kind of feel the resonance of the violin.

Knowledge is as infinite as the universe. The man who claims to know all only reveals to all that he really knows nothing.

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.

I have only two rules which I regard as principles of conduct. The first is: Have no rules. The second is: Be independent of the opinion of others.

I don't think that's healthy for the country when anyone thinks their morals are better than anyone else's.

Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.

I'm lucky - I don't feel any pressure.

...it is seldom indeed that a composition which was poor when the picture was taken can be improved by reshaping it in the dark room.

Jesus didn't die to make us safe. He died to make us dangerous.

The English name Jesus traces its origin to the Hebrew word Yeshua. Yeshua is a shortening of Yehoshuah, which means "Yahweh saves."

If you're lucky enough to still have grandparents, visit them, cherish them and celebrate them while you can.