Musician

Elvis was a great singer. He really was.

The very first big one I had was 'Turn Around and Look At Me.'

I used to be just a total jazz freak. People used to say, 'Where's the melody? Is there a melody in there anywhere?' Now I let the music follow the song.

I love singing. I just love it.

Our dad taught us not to be a loafer and a slough-off, that you don't blame somebody else for your misfortunes.

God's law is God's law, period. Teach your children that.

Ah, the Wrecking Crew! They played on everything that came out of L.A. Oh, that was a good band. You really enjoyed going to work. You played for everyone; it didn't matter what it was.

The more you play music, the better you'll get.

I'm really not a songwriter, so if I hear a song, I feel it and like it, I'll do it. But I'll make it the way I want to hear it.

I am just trying to do a song the best possible way I can.

Great stories start with great opening lines. 'I'm a lineman for the county' - what a great way to start a song.

When I did 'Wichita Lineman,' it was as good as I could do it, so I keep doing it that way. It's such a haunting song.

I worked my butt off.

I'm from so far back in the sticks that they had to pump the light in there.

I needed a capo - a clamp to hold down the strings - so my daddy made me one out of a corn on the cob and a rubber band.

I'm running my life according to what I know to be true from the Bible and the old scribes.

With a lot of songs, songs that don't make a good statement, I forget the words.

I've been through a lot of changes.

All I ever wanted to do was play the guitar; singing was a sideline.

I like to play golf. You know, make a little money, lose a little money. Get 10 bucks, lose 20 bucks.