Lyrics have to be underwritten. That's why poets generally make poor lyric writers because the language is too rich. You get drowned in it.

Generally, the best recording is the original cast, because that's the way the piece grew: integrally, with them.

So many good songs get written fast, because you know exactly what has to work.

On stage, generally speaking, the story is stopped or held back by songs, because that's the convention. Audiences enjoy the song and the singer, that's the point.

I firmly believe lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to understand what's going on. Particularly in the theater, where you have costume, story, acting, orchestra.

Two of the hardest words in the language to rhyme are life and love. Of all words!