“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.”

“I respect Billy Joel, but I'm not a guy who's gonna sit down and listen to the entire 'Essential Billy Joel.'”

“So before we end and then beginWe'll drink a toast to how it's beenA few more hours to be completeA few more nights on satin sheetsA few more times that I can sayI've loved these days”

“For all our mutual experienceOur separate conclusions are the sameNow we are forced to recognize our inhumanityOur reason coexists with our insanityBut we choose between reality and madnessIt's either sadness or euphoria”

“And in the eveningAfter the fire and the lightOne thing is certain: Nothing can hold back the lightTime is relentlessAnd as the past disappearsWe're on the verge of all things new”

“As human beings, we need to know that we are not alone, that we are not crazy or completely out of our minds, that there are other people out there who feel as we do, live as we do, love as we do, who are like us.”

“The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent.”

“Like family, we are tied to each other. This is what all good musicians understand.”

“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.”

“Have you listened to the radio lately? Have you heard the canned, frozen and processed product being dished up to the world as American popular music today?”

“Don't make music for some vast, unseen audience or market or ratings share or even for something as tangible as money. Though it's crucial to make a living, that shouldn't be your inspiration. Do it for yourself.”