Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.

I guess my view of America is of a real bighearted country, real compassionate.

No, I always felt that amongst my core fans- because there was a level of popularity that I had in the mid '80s that was sort of a bump on the scale- they fundamentally understood the values that are at work in my work.

I'm interested in what it means to be an American. I'm interested in what it means to live in America. I'm interested in the kind of country that we live in and leave our kids. I'm interested in trying to define what that country is.

I was signed to a record label at the same time as my friend Elliot Murphy, who makes great records to this day.

I tend to be a subscriber to the idea that you have everything you need by the time you're 12 years old to do interesting writing for most of the rest of your life - certainly by the time you're 18.