You know writing is really difficult and it takes a real patience and a skill. I don't know if I have that. I admire it in others so much and I envy it.

Writing is good thinking is better. Cleverness is good patience is better.

Of all those arts in which the wise excel Nature's chief masterpiece is writing well.

I get caught up in my bubble of reading writing or music.

Writing has laws of perspective of light and shade just as painting does or music. If you are born knowing them fine. If not learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

In some ways my gift for music and writing was born out of tragedy really and loss.

I started writing rhymes first and then put it to the music. I figured out I could lock it to the beat better if I heard the music first. I like to get a lot of tracks put the track up and let the music talk to me about what it's about.

What I took back because of my exposure to the Jewish music of the 30s and the 40s in my upbringing with my father was that kind of theatrical songwriting. It was always a part of my character. This desire to make people laugh.

I'm probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14 - to meet women.

Great classic music that I've been turned on to has not only inspired and influenced me but it has had an effect on my songwriting.