“All the songs I write are about human dynamics, whether it's with girlfriends, boyfriends, or family.”

“A woman can take care of the family. It takes a man to provide structure, to provide stability.”

“At best the family teaches the finest things human beings can learn from one another generosity and love. But it is also, all too often, where we learn nasty things like hate, rage and shame.”

“My mom is the backbone not just of my family but of many families.”

“My dad would give me $10, which is a lot of money when you're 9, to sing at church, on tables at restaurants, at family functions, just about anywhere.”

“The first-born in every family is always dreaming for an imaginary older brother or sister who will look out for them.”

“If you live in a good neighborhood, you drive home and there's a bank. There's grocery stores and big houses - but no motels. What that tells you psychologically is you protect your money and buy good things for your family to eat in your nice big house.”

“What must it be like for a little boy to read that daddy never loved mummy?”

“My whole damn family was nice. I don't think I've imagined it. It's true. Maybe it has to do with being brought up as Christian Scientists. Half of my relatives were Readers or Practitioners in the church.”