My dad's a scratch golfer and I've got the knack of seeing something and then replicating it. I saw my dad swing a club and I worked out how to do the same thing. My backswing and follow-through have been basically the same since I was two.

My parents divorced when I was young but I was brought up in two really loving households. I didn't have a contentious relationship with my mom or dad.

I feel connected to the Second World War because my father lost his father in that war. So through my dad and the effect it had on him of losing his father young I always felt connected to the war. It goes back years but it still feels to me as if we're completely living in it.

I've always taken my love of children from my father. He was a children magnet. Suddenly having my first child hit home what my dad went through.

My dad worked two jobs and moved us to the suburbs and just being a black person I went through a lot of racism and being called names and being bullied every single day. And it was hard. I didn't have any friends.

My dad has been married to his wife for 15 years and wherever he goes there better be a seat for her. I like real couples that tell you how to get through on Wednesdays when you're just at the end of your rope - the ones who really know how to make it through. We have to stop looking at Hollywood couples because you're going to get disappointed.

My dad read the Bible ten times and I want to do it in my lifetime. But it's definitely tough getting through.

My mom grew up in poverty in Oklahoma - like Dust Bowl nine people in one room kind of place - and the way she got out of poverty was through education. My dad grew up without a dad with very little and he also made his way out through education.

I'm not an American but I have this weird connection to America in different ways through my dad living here for five years my godfather being an American who I'm very close to.

I think the hardest thing about making music now is being a great dad at the same time. There's an insanity that goes with writing - a mad scientist thing that you have to go through - and sacrificing a kid's upbringing to do that is not an option.