You can't be afraid to deal with your demons. You've got to go there to be able to write.

I'm fascinated by the whole concept of snake handling. When you read about the Pentecostal snake handlers, what strikes you the most is their commitment.

I'm just like everyone. I like to feel togetherness with someone.

So few people are truly themselves when they're in the spotlight.

I'm not just a doormat. I'm not just being stepped on all over the place. If you look at the bulk of my material, it's about trying to find some strength through that.

People let their own hang-ups become the obstacles between them and personal happiness.

As it turns out, now is the moment you've been waiting for

I guess you could write a good song if your heart hadn't been broken, but I don't know of anyone whose heart hasn't been broken.

The perfect man? A poet on a motorcycle.

First thing, I throw on some jeans, a T-shirt and my Keds sneakers and make coffee. That is actually my favorite time of day. That is when I do my songwriting, when I am in writing mode.

Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it.

It’s amazing how fast you can write when there’s a gun to your head.

No one is perfect but someone is original.

There is no country in the world with the diversity, confidence and talent and black pride like Nigeria.

In the face of technology, everything becomes a little atavistic.

People can only be free if they are truly educated.

I didn't let anyone push me into things I didn't want to do where my career was concerned. So why did I crumble when it came to men?

The Democratic Party went far to the left, I think, and left some of us stranded on the beach, so we went to the Republican Party.

Newspapers have degenerated. They may now be absolutely relied upon.

If I should go out of church whenever I hear a false sentiment, I could never stay there five minutes.

I don't believe it's all for nothing. It's not just written in the sand.