In high school, I was a poor student.

In high school, I was a poor student.

The more producers I talked to, the more I got looked at like I was crazy for wanting to make a live-sounding album.

The more producers I talked to, the more I got looked at like I was crazy for wanting to make a live-sounding album.

People keep inventing all these new machines, and producers and recording engineers keep wanting to use them.

People keep inventing all these new machines, and producers and recording engineers keep wanting to use them.

I used to read a lot of Steinbeck, and I admired Roger Miller and Bob Dylan.

I used to read a lot of Steinbeck, and I admired Roger Miller and Bob Dylan.

Because of my song 'Sam Stone,' a lot of people thought I was interested in writing protest songs. Writing protest songs always struck me as patting yourself on the back.

Because of my song 'Sam Stone,' a lot of people thought I was interested in writing protest songs. Writing protest songs always struck me as patting yourself on the back.

I feel basically good about my career because it's remained constant. What I do has never been especially in vogue or gotten high on the charts. At the same time, I haven't had to stop performing any of my music because it aged in style.

I feel basically good about my career because it's remained constant. What I do has never been especially in vogue or gotten high on the charts. At the same time, I haven't had to stop performing any of my music because it aged in style.

I think I've finally, after 72 years, gotten used to my voice, and it sounds like a friend now instead of an enemy.

I think I've finally, after 72 years, gotten used to my voice, and it sounds like a friend now instead of an enemy.

I sound like that old guy down the street that doesn't chase you out of his apple tree.

I sound like that old guy down the street that doesn't chase you out of his apple tree.

If I can make myself laugh about something that I should be crying about, that's pretty good.

If I can make myself laugh about something that I should be crying about, that's pretty good.

My sense of humor has saved me more than a couple of times in my life.

My sense of humor has saved me more than a couple of times in my life.

When I'm writing a lyric, things can only get so serious before they start becoming humorous.

When I'm writing a lyric, things can only get so serious before they start becoming humorous.

The opera is to music what a bawdy house is to a cathedral.

I never thought of myself as being handsome or good-looking or whatever. I always felt like an outsider.