Talk about a dream, try to make it real.

You make your music, then you try to find whatever audience is out there for it.

I have spent my life judging the distance between American reality and the American dream.

Lesson: In the real world, ninety-nine cents will not get you into New York City. You will need the full dollar.

I don't like to write rhetorically or get on a soapbox. I try to make the stuff multi-layered, so that it always has a life outside its social context. I don't believe that you can tell people anything; you can only draw them in.

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