Musician

I'd love to act. I feel that it's another naked, mysterious challenge, like jazz. It kind of intrigues me in the same way.

I'm used to adversity and working really well in difficult situations. It was hard for me to accept the success.

Feminists were psyched that I had armpit hair.

But at the age of 44, I sure hope to be a better businesswoman. I want to get the music straight to my fans.

So I'm writing more highly personalized and intellectual music, and I think that's good. It might take longer to find me, but I think that niche is perhaps underserved, so I'm going to serve that.

I see my albums as working diaries, as living scrapbooks of me and my life.

But looking back, the fact was that I had a couple of big hits too quickly and it was simply too much for an introvert like me to handle.

I don't like to sit and bask in my own awards. Awards represent artistic death to me.

Didgeridoo was something I picked up while I was on tour in Australia with Peter Gabriel in '93. I found out later that it's only meant to be played by men.

I think of my shows as family reunions. I give 100% every time. I just do. It's a huge therapeutic release. Also I love my touring family. And I love my audiences very much.

I'm a songwriter who's put my childhood memories and teenage angst into songs.

When you're a plebeian you want success, and when you're successful you want to be a plebeian again.

If not for music, I would probably be a very frustrated scientist. It's one way to answer the question, 'What is the meaning of life?' I feel music answers it better.

I'm raising my daughter with her grandparents in the picture, and that feels good.

I struggled with being in the public eye, losing my anonymity when my star rose quickly in the late 90's. But I need the challenge of showing up and getting up there to spill my guts and connect with my loyal folks.

I've left Bethlehem, and I feel free. I've left the girl I was supposed to be, and some day I'll be born.

The flower has opened, has been in the sun and is unafraid. I'm taking more chances; I'm bold and proud.

For me music is a vehicle to bring our pain to the surface, getting it back to that humble and tender spot where, with luck, it can lose its anger and become compassion again.

The older I get, the more I see that there really aren't huge zeniths of happiness or a huge abyss of darkness as much as there used to be. I tend to walk a middle ground.

I think it's important to find the little things in everyday life that make you happy.