And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinking.

If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it.

One thing that really appeals to me is this idea of music being a living thing that has an evolution that, in a way, enables the artist to sell a process rather than a piece of product.

Every actor in his heart believes everything bad that's printed about him.

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.

Once you become predictable, no one's interested anymore.

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.

It's so sweet, I feel like my teeth are rotting when I listen to the radio.

Nature scarcely ever gives us the very best; for that we must have recourse to art.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.

The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.

I think another thing is that we don't really want exclusivity. We accept that it is in the artist's interest to be on sale in every place where they sell music.

Each song is a child I nourish and give my love to. But even if you have never written a song, your life is a song. How can it not be?

Music can change the world because it can change people.