Why can't I be different and unusual... like everyone else?

If I had all the money I'd spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink.

I'm not different for the sake of being different, only for the desperate sake of being myself. I can't join your gang: you'd think I was a phony and I'd know it.

Do you know what a Palmist once said to me? She said: will you let go!

Why can't I be different and unusual... like everyone else?

My mom still lives in Denver and some of my brothers are still in the area, so I still have strong ties there.

To all my critics, you get paid to be negative.

Illusions are like umbrellas you no sooner get them than you lose them, and the loss always leaves a little painful wound.

I used to start at about 10 at night and work until early morning. My preferred way to work is to start in the early afternoon and work until about 3, go do errands, have dinner, and then write for a few more hours in the evening.

The real danger of writing a great song when you're on something is that it might get you thinking that the only way to repeat that is by only writing when you're high.

Men were not intended to work with the accuracy of tools, to be precise and perfect in all their actions.

I want to state clearly that I am a humanitarian, not an activist. I do not follow any agendas - only that of humanity, not only in Saudi Arabia, but all over the world.

I don't know how many millions of photographs have been taken of me.

I have a really, really, really normal family. And by normal I mean we're all nuts on some level. I think you've gotta be a little nuts to pursue any kind of creative job. I was also a really good kid. I know that sounds really dull, but I didn't rebel in the traditional sense.

When I was 12, I was doing competitive jazz, tap and ballet in Michigan. The studio put the best dancers together, and I joined that. We always did really, really well in local competitions.

I said to the almond tree, "Friend, speak to me of God," and the almond tree blossomed.

I do disapprove very strongly of labelling children, especially young children, as something like 'Catholic children' or 'Protestant children' or 'Islamic children.'

My nervous system is enfeebled, only work in oils can sustain me.

There is no guarantee what will give you happiness any which way. I know many married people who are unhappy.

I'm a big believer in sort of sense memory, like using something that you've experienced in order to put yourself in the position that the character is in.

A grandmother pretends she doesnt know who you are on Halloween.

My only real advice to Oscar nominees is, 'If you haven't actually seen a competitor's film, don't fib and say you have and blow smoke up their wahooziewhatsits.' Always best to be frank and tell them the truth.

Direct talks is the only possible way to build trust and to resolve the conditions for a peace perspective between Palestinians and Israelis.

In South Florida, where there are so many beneficiaries, when Social Security isn't adjusted to reflect their increased costs, that affects their daily lives and their contributions to our local economy.

I would stare at maps of Delaware for hours.

I look upon myself as a musical bricklayer with architectural aspirations.

The Devil is in the details

Black music has increased my enjoyment of what I do. It has increased my range, my ability to reach into myself and accept myself.

I went to college and I never allowed myself to think for an instant that I would have this chance to do this.